Gear List

We recommend buying as much as you can secondhand to save on costs and to conserve the Earth’s resources. A good place to start might be Jack and Jill, Baby Love, or your neighborhood Facebook buy/sell/trade group. We are also working to create a ‘library’ of outdoor gear for lower-income families, since gear can be a major barrier to kids spending time in nature. If you have gear you’d like to donate, please email us at atlantaforestschool@gmail.com.

CLOTHING: Aim for thin, flexible layers, as these will be the most comfortable for your child to move in.

1. Base layer

• Warm weather
  • • Regular clothing that your child can freely move in
    • Pants tucked into socks (tick prevention)
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• Cold weather
  • • Wool or polyester long underwear (essential in below 35° weather)
    • Wool or wool-blend socks

2. Mid-layers

• Cold weather
  • • Fleece pants (over base layer pants)
    • Fleece or wool jacket
    • Insulated coat or jacket

3. Waterproof shell (for rainy/snowy/muddy weather)

• Waterproof bottoms (rain pants or rain suit)
• Rain jacket or rain suit

BACKPACK: Child-sized hiking backpack with chest clip; should be large enough to carry water, packed lunch, change of clothes and a wet bag.

ADDITIONAL GEAR:

• All weather: Flexible rain boots (tall enough for creek play)
• Cold weather
  • • Warm hat and neck-warmer OR balaclava
    • Gloves (include an extra pair in backpack on the coldest days)
• Warm weather
  • • Sun hat
    • Insect repellent: we recommend a lemon-eucalyptus oil (30%) formula; treat rain pants and gear with permethrin every few weeks for added protection (optional).

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Base layers and socks
  • • Base layers should be made of either wool or a polyester blend, NOT cotton. You’ll find these available in a wide price range. Here are two of the more affordable options:
      • • Wool: Merino kids thermal pants/Merino kids base layer top
        • Polyester blend: 32 degrees kids base layer
    • Wool socks are essential for keeping feet warm in the winter, and we recommend them for other seasons as well because of wool’s ability to hold water and not feel wet against the skin.
      • • Farm to Feet Kids Collection

• Waterproof Shell for rainy/muddy/snowy weather
  • • This can either be a full-body rain suit or a rain bib or rain pants paired with a rain jacket. These should be fully waterproof and flexible enough for your child to move in. We would recommend the rain jacket and rain pants combination if your child tends to have any urgency around pottying (rain suits can take a while to get out of). It’s nice to size up with these so that you can layer under them in cold weather, and so that they last your child several seasons. We have had good experience with these companies:
      
      • • Oakiwear (for rain suits, jackets, and pants)
        • Celavi (for rain jackets, bibs, and pants)
        • Tuffo Muddy Buddy (for rain suits)

• Backpacks
  • • Each child will need a water-resistant backpack with chest strap and enough space to carry their own water bottle, lunch and snack, and a change of clothes. Examples of suitable backpacks include the Deuter Junior 18L, Osprey Youth Jet 12 and REI Coop Tarn 12 backpack.

• Boots
  • • These should be waterproof and tall enough for shallow creek play, and flexible and lightweight to allow for freedom of movement. We have been very happy with our Totes Rain Boots from Target, and have also heard good things about Crocs Handle It Children’s Boots.

• Sun hats
  • • We may not use these every day because we’ll often be under the shaded forest canopy. However, we will sometimes be in open spaces in full sun, so please pack a sun hat every day in spring and summer. Sun hats with a wide brim and a breakaway chin strap are preferred. Our Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hats have lasted us many years, and we’ve been really happy with them. We’ve also had good luck finding sun hats at children’s consignment shops.

• Insect repellents
  • • In the late-Spring and Summer months, please spray your child with insect repellent before you drop them off at the start of the session. We will reapply at least once during the session on buggy days. We recommend Buzz Away or a 30% lemon-eucalyptus oil repellent (shown to be as effective as DEET).