Packing for a winter residential

Prepare for the unexpected with our packing list for your upcoming winter residential. Everyone knows they need to bring enough clothes, socks and underwear to last three times the length of their stay (especially important in winter weather!), but what might you forget?

Layers

The children might be cold when they first step outside, but once they get stuck into an activity, they’ll soon warm up. Even pro athletes pack on the layers when they're getting active outdoors, especially in the colder months. By wearing light layers, children will be able to regulate their body temperature by taking one off or putting one on.

Sunscreen and sunglasses

Even when it's chilly outside, it's still important to make sure children are protected from sun damage. Water is a reflective surface, meaning that UV rays from the sun will bounce back off – this is extra important to remember if you’re doing activities like canoeing. Sunburn can take the fun out of activities, especially if it’s painful, so it’s best to make sure any exposed skin is protected.

A waterproof bag for wet or muddy clothes and shoes

Outdoor activities can leave children muddy or wet (or both!), especially with the unpredictable British weather. We know that stopping them from throwing their damp, muddy clothes in with their clean ones can be a challenge. It’s best to encourage them to bring a waterproof bag to keep them separate – whether it’s the bag from their swimming kit or a repurposed shopping bag – so they’ll always have a clean change of clothes.

A torch

Winter brings longer and darker evenings, which might be daunting for children for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can be trickier to find their way around outdoors where the ground might be uneven or wet. Secondly, some children can feel anxious in the dark. Reduce the likelihood of tripping and calm some of those fears by suggesting they pack a torch.

Extra socks

Ok, so we might’ve said that packing loads of socks was obvious, but it’s a good idea to pack even more socks in winter. If they’ll be doing activities that require walking boots or wellies, encourage children to wear two pairs of socks. This will help prevent blisters by stopping the foot rubbing against the shoe.

Reusable water bottle

Having fun outdoors can be thirsty work, even in colder weather! Packing a water bottle will help children to stay hydrated as they take on fun and physically demanding activities. This also helps us out at Hampshire Outdoor Centres – we’re big on sustainability and opting for reusable water bottles is a great way to use fewer single-use plastics.

Visit our website to arrange a school trip to Hampshire Outdoors Centres or find out why your children will benefit from a winter residential.