Message Forums

I work in Community Regeneration, we are planning a project that involves the Youth in experiencing skills of Camping.  Many of the kids have never left their housing estate and the plan is to take a group away to learn independant living skills,  to cook etc environment etc.  Anyway this is what i need

10 packs if gear which will have to b light as it will need to fit in to their rucksacks, cooking things, light, sleeping back tent mats etc.  Can any of you back packers out there adivise on what type of equipment as im writing a list as i have to get three quotes of everything before i can submit the funding bid.  Thanks in advance.

You may find some companies would give away, or at least offer a sizeable discount, for such a worthy cause. Rather than looking at individual items, why not submit a whole list to company such as Go Outdoors and see what they come up with.

Are you thinking that they will be moving on each day and carying their camping stuff with them (lighter kit needed) or setting up a base camp and carrying out daily activities from there (heavier kit OK)?

Some things the kids will need their own of eg rucksack, waterproofs, survival bag, whistle, sleeping bag, liner, roll mat, cup, plate/bowl, cutlery, mess tin, water carrier/drinks bottle, water sterilisation tablets, toilet paper, torch, blister pack, suntan lotion. Other things can be shared eg tent, cooker, gas, matches, binbags, first aid kit. MT

You could try these for prices and advice......

Hike-Lite

Light weight

Backpackers Club

Good luck, I was thinking about the same kinda thing but with whole families. We have decided against it tho, logistics are a nightmare and insurance was the thing that killed the idea.

I work with kids and families and know what the benifits will be, it'll be great fun??

A friend of mine looks after the local Council Resource Centre.  It owns loads of different things from art or sports equipment  to karaoke machines which it lends out to local organisations.  They also have tents, rucksacks and all the camping equipment you can think of for loan to scouts, schools, youth groups, etc. 

It might be worth trying your local council to see if they have the same sort of thing.