It is not necessary to invest in expensive brand names to keep you or your child warm. Thrift stores, consignment sales and clothing exchanges are great places to look for children’s wool and outdoor clothing at cheaper prices. As adults, investing in a few good quality pieces of cold weather gear that will last a long time is a good idea (but not required), as our gear could last us decades.
What to Wear – Fall & Winter
Cold weather requires layering. It’s easier to remove a layer if you’re too warm, but hard to add a layer if you don’t have it! Layers can be adjusted based on temperature and wind.
There are 3 key layers to keeping warm in cold weather. Thinking about them The 3-W’s of Cold-Weathering Layering may help you remember the purpose of each layer. The goal with layering is to create pockets of warm air around the body. For this reason you should avoid layers that are too tight.
WICKING – a base layer that is breathable wicks moisture from skin. Recommended fabrics: merino wool, bamboo, synthetics, thermal long underwear. Avoid cotton.
WARMTH – insulation layer that adds warmth and creates space to generate and keep heat. Recommended: fleece, down, puffy insulation, sweatshirt, thick wool
WEATHER – Outer layer that is waterproof and windproof. **KEY for changeable spring and fall weather!**
Footwear: Boots that allow plenty of room for your feet. When your toes have room to move there is an air pocket around the foot that helps keep them warm. I highly recommend waterproof footwear for March.
Socks: Wool is best or heavier polyester. Again, avoid cotton.
What to Wear – Early Spring
It is not necessary to invest in expensive brand names to keep you or your child warm. Thrift stores, consignment sales and clothing exchanges are great places to look for children’s wool and outdoor clothing at cheaper prices. As adults, investing in a few good quality pieces of cold weather gear that will last a long time is a good idea (but not required), as our gear could last us decades.
It’s March! That means each week could be very different weather-wise. Layers will be key to adapting to the changes.
With the colder weather, the key to success (and happiness!) is good clothing. There’s a Scandinavian saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” In general we’ll be moving a lot, but adults may move less than kids. Please keep that in mind as your dress yourselves for our outdoor adventures.
Cold weather requires layering. It’s easier to remove a layer if you’re too warm, but hard to add a layer if you don’t have it! Layers can be adjusted based on temperature and wind.
There are 3 key layers to keeping warm in cold weather (think of them as the 3 Ws). The goal with layering is to create pockets of warm air around the body. For this reason you should avoid layers that are too tight.
WICKING – a based layer that is breathable wicks moisture from skin. Recommended fabrics: merino wool, bamboo, synthetics, thermal long underwear. Avoid cotton.
WARMTH – an insulation layer that adds warmth and creates space to generate and keep heat. Recommended: fleece, down, puffy insulation, sweatshirt, thick wool
WEATHER – the outer layer that is waterproof and windproof. **KEY for changeable March weather!**
Footwear: Boots that allow plenty of room for your feet. When your toes have room to move there is an air pocket around the foot that helps keep them warm. I highly recommend waterproof footwear for March.
Socks: Wool is best or heavier polyester. Again, avoid cotton.
Bring some snacks, water and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate.
What to wear – Late Spring
It is not necessary to invest in expensive brand names to be prepared for all types of weather. Thrift stores, consignment sales and clothing exchanges are great places to look for children’s wool and outdoor clothing at cheaper prices. Check out thrift or consignment stores for gently used children’s clothing. As adults, investing in a few good quality pieces of cold weather gear that will last a long time is a good idea (but not required), as our gear could last us decades.
It’s almost May! Hopefully that means each of our sessions will be warm and sunny! But layers are recommended to help us adapt to any weather changes.
For warmer weather we recommend light weight breathable fabrics such as cotton or merino wool (which can help regulate temperature and also protects against UV rays). If possible, light weight long sleeves and pants are ideal for sun and environmental hazards such as ticks and poison ivy.
Children are encouraged to wear a hat at all times and drink lots of fluids. As this program rain or shine we recommend your child have raingear (waterproof boots, waterproof pants and jacket, or one-piece suit), a sun hat, an insulation layer (like a fleece), warm hat and mitts for cool mornings, insect repellent, and sunscreen. While we run rain or shine we will reschedule the program if the weather makes being in the forest too risky, i.e. thunderstorms or high winds. We will communicate this to all families the morning of.
Children and adults should wear closed-toed footwear.
Tick Safety
Ticks are starting to become a larger concern in our area, as they migrate north due to the warming climate. Please read over these resources on best practices from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, as the same info applies to us. There is no need to panic about ticks, just make sure you check yourself and your kids’ skin thoroughly when you get home from a nature adventure (the bath is an easy time to do it!)