Use the following list to prepare for you overnite canoe trip.

Assume a normal summer:

days 70-90 degrees, nites 80-55 degrees. Sun, fog, clouds, rain all possible.

To wear:


bathing suit that is comfortable to sit long periods in.

shorts, one pair of long pants for evening or ivy.

tee shirt and both lite longsleeve (sunblock) and warm longsleeve (evening).

water sandles or canoe shoes that can get wet and dry fast. socks for forest hiking, ivy, warmth (sand is cool at nite.

good hat to cover ears, eyes. keep head dry in cool rain.

lite raingear can be useful. I often use large plastic garbage bags with arm and neck holes.

pjs if you use them?

To tent:


tent, steaks for sand 1ft long, waterproof ground cloth size of tent floor to keep tent dry.

sleeping bags- cheap will do on a warm evening.

I take one old blanket to sit on during the day, wrap myself in in the evening while watching the fire, and put over the sleeping bag if the temp. drops too far. It is also useful when packing as a sand-free area to sort stuff on although I often carry a separate 9x9 tarp for this purpose which I then use as the ground cloth.

1 flashlite per person-check batteries.

several books of matches stored in different places and sealed in plastic bags. A couple of old candles can hepl to start a fire if the wood is damp as is often the case.

small hatchet for wood chopping and steak pounding. a good camping knife is always useful.

rope (10, 20 and 30 ft ) to pull or anchor the canoe. to use as a clothes line to dry clothes and other wet stuff.

To eat and drink:


Large cooler- if you are paddling all day on a very hot day you will go through considerable drink. I buy a gallon of bottled water, a case of my favorite can drink (no bottles--they check and will fine you if you have glass containers), a quart of juice and milk if you intend to do cereal in the morning. sandwich stuff, coldcuts, sliced cheese, mayo, piclkes or olives, make for easy snacks. I take chicken thighs, small potatoes for the pan or large ones to wrap in foil and throw in the flame along with the corn. Make it easy, but take enough. of course hotdog can be done without stoves or pans. yuck!!

You can get plastic forks and spoons from convenience stores. take a good paring knife. paper plates and glasses work fine for this type of trip.

To play- Toys:


fishing tackle and lures

try a kite off a windy sand bar.

binocs to check out the birds.

small radio to check weather is always good.

umbrella for shade or rain.

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