Getting ready for Camp Kindling? Here's a comprehensive packing list to help your family prepare. Don't worry — this is an extensive list of everything you might consider bringing, and you absolutely don't need it all. There are shops at camp and in the local area if you forget anything or need a last-minute backup.
General
Debit or credit cards for making payments (cash is not accepted onsite)
Car parking and ticket QR codes downloaded or printed
Printed or written list of your family's activity schedule (available after Enrolment)
ID for any adults who intend to purchase alcohol or tobacco
Buggy or trolley for smaller kids (big wheels are better off road)
Rain cover for buggy
Any activity-specific clothes or items (guidance available at Enrolment)
Ear defenders for children who struggle with loud noise (for watching music performances)
Daypacks
Daypacks are small backpacks, bumbags, or sling bags that you can easily carry around Camp Kindling to save you having to go back to your tent too often. Good things to have in a daypack:
Suncream
Water bottle
Snacks
Torch
Antibac
Wet wipes
Nappies
Tissues or toilet roll
Sunhat or sunglasses
Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
Event map (you'll be given these on arrival)
A favourite book or toy for any downtime, and a journal for older kids
A jumper, blanket, dryrobe, or onesie for if you get cold
A pen (for making notes on your map)
Clothing
Always bring a range of items as weather conditions can change rapidly in the countryside. Check the forecast a few days before and adjust what you pack. Whatever the weather, make sure you bring plenty of warm clothing for the evening — temperatures can drop a lot, especially after a hot day!
Plenty of underwear
Plenty of socks (some long, some short)
Trousers, shorts, leggings, skirts, dresses, vests, t-shirts, jumpers, jackets etc
Trainers or lightweight boots for warm weather (ideally with good ankle support)
Wellies or waterproof boots for wet weather
Flip-flops or crocs for going to the showers
Warm pyjamas or a onesie to sleep in (with extra layers and socks)
Woolly hats for evenings and night time
Handwarmers or gloves (if you get cold hands easily)
Sunhats and/or sunglasses
Swimming costumes
Waterproof coats and puddle suits
Towels (ideally quick-drying ones)
Top Tip: Keep a full change of clothes in your car (or in a waterproof bag) that you can use in case everything else gets wet, or as a treat to feel fresh for your journey home!
Food & Drink
How much food you bring depends on whether your family plans to buy meals there or cook your own. The food villages onsite are reasonably priced (similar to London markets), cater for most tastes and dietary requirements, and serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and kids' portions. Food and drink can be heavy to carry and go off after a few days unrefrigerated, so only bring what you know you'll use.
A reusable water bottle (to fill up at the taps around camp)
A reusable coffee cup or enamel mug (to help camp stay sustainable)
Snacks (adventuring can use up a lot of energy)
Fruit (in tupperware to stop it getting squished)
Baby formula and bottles (kettles and boiling water are available onsite)
Insulated flask for tea and coffee (can also be used for making instant noodles)
Squash mix (as the water can sometimes taste a bit different to home)
Top Tip: If you're trying to keep costs down, plan to have breakfast at the tent, snacky lunches in your daypacks, but grab dinner from one of the food stands so you don't miss out on too much of the fun.
Toiletries
There are plenty of toilets and showers at Camp Kindling and they are cleaned and restocked on a very regular basis. That said, it's handy to keep some toilet roll and hand sanitiser with you just in case!
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Shower gel, shampoo, soap
Hand sanitiser
Deodorant
Wet wipes
Nappies (changing mats are available in baby change areas)
Toilet roll (replenished frequently, but useful to have your own just in case)
Hairbrush and hairbands
Menstruation products
Makeup and makeup wipes
Top Tip: Have a grab-and-go bag in your tent (with toilet roll, soap, etc.) for trips to the toilet and shower so you don't forget anything!
Medical
Camp Kindling has 24-hour medical cover available, including first aiders, paramedics, and ambulances. It's still handy to keep a small first aid kit of your own for simple fixes though!
Plasters (for small cuts, grazes, and blisters)
Bug repellent
Suncream and aftersun
Lip balm
Antihistamines
Painkillers (including calpol for little ones)
Imodium
Antacid
Contraception
Rehydration sachets
Prescription medications (just bring enough for the weekend)
Sudocrem
Technology
Camp Kindling is all about getting away from screens and living in the moment, so try to bring as little technology as possible! Here are a few bits that are genuinely useful though:
Head torch and batteries (or a normal torch will do)
Watch (so you don't need your phone)
Camera with spare batteries or film
Portable battery pack for charging devices and cables (if you feel like you need them)
Solar-powered fairy lights or electroluminescent wire (useful for locating your tent, trolley, or children in the dark)
Top Tip: Change your phone lock screen to your emergency contact details so if you lose it, you can be reunited easily.
Costume
There's absolutely no need to dress up if you don't want to, but lots of families love getting into the spirit by wearing a Patrol outfit during the games and something sparkly at night!
Patrol outfit or colours for the games
Partywear for the evenings (sequins and glitter are a favourite)
Eco face glitter and face paints (for easy embellishments)
Top Tip: You can make an activity out of preparing your outfits — a fun summer holiday project for the whole family! Scout charity shops for cool items and get creative customising them.
Camping Kit
If you've booked pre-pitched or Boutique Camping, or are bringing your live-in vehicle, you won't need everything on this list. It's well worth investing in a quality tent, as many of the cheapest on the market aren't very waterproof and could put a dampener on your weekend. Please don't bring any gazebos — there's plenty of shade and shelter around camp.
Tent (including poles and groundsheet)
Heavy-duty tent pegs
Mallet (metal one is best)
Sleeping bags
Ground mat or air mattress + pump
Bin bags (bring plenty — you can use them to separate wet clothing and keep your camp area clean)
Camping chairs
Portable cot
Pillows
Blankets
Lantern
Top Tip: The ground can get very hard at Camp Kindling during summer and the standard lightweight pegs that come with most tents will be difficult to get in, so buy a pack of heavy-duty ones.
Cooking Kit
If your family plans to cook some of your own meals instead of eating from the food villages, you'll need to bring your own cooking equipment. Camp Kindling provides cooking areas in the campsites with kettles, microwaves, picnic benches, cooking stations, washing-up sinks, and fire safety equipment.
Camping stove and fuel (check which types are allowed here)
Lighter or matches (stored in a waterproof container)
Pots, pans, and cooking utensils
Plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery
Biodegradable washing-up liquid
Cleaning cloths and tea towels
A cool box or bag and ice packs to keep your food cold
A large water container (for transporting water)
Rubbish bags
Top Tip: Bringing pre-cooked and frozen meals can make cooking onsite much quicker, and having them in your cool box will keep other things cold too. You can even freeze some drinks to help keep everything chilled!
Comfort/Fun Items
These aren't strictly necessary, but they've been recommended by Camp Kindling families over the years to make your experience more comfortable and fun!
Hot water bottle (if you get cold easily — hot water is available)
Trolley (can be used for carrying things and for kids to snooze in with some blankets)
Earplugs and sleeping masks (if you're easily disturbed by noise at night or light in the morning)
Toys and books (a few small ones for your tent to keep the kids entertained during downtime)
Disposable or instant cameras (give one to each child to document their weekend)
Carabiners and paracord or bungee cord (handy for attaching things like camping mugs to your belt or daypack)
Picnic blanket (there are plenty of picnic benches around camp, but having your own blanket lets you park up anywhere you fancy for a sit-down)
Walkie-talkies can be great fun and come in handy if your kids wander a bit too far
A roll of gaffer or duct tape can fix a lot of things when camping
A flexible trug bucket has many uses
A baby carrier or sling
FAQS
How much money do we need to bring with us?
How much money do we need to bring with us?
No cash is accepted at Camp Kindling. You can pay for all your drinks, food, merch, and everything else you might need using your card or contactless payment.
Camp Kindling accepts all major credit and debit cards, including AMEX.
What should we wear?
What should we wear?
Wear whatever you and your family feel comfortable in. Comfortable, sensible footwear is essential — you'll be running around a lot!
It can also get quite muddy, so wellies are a good idea. Make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes too, as temperatures drop considerably in the evening.
Dressing up isn't essential, but if you can't dress from head to toe in ridiculousness at Camp Kindling, where can you?
Where can I buy the uniform?
Where can I buy the uniform?
If your family wants to fully immerse in the Camp Kindling spirit, you can pick up shirts, neckers, hats, and other bits from the Wildkind stores when you arrive at Camp!
We're hoping to launch an online store in the future so you can buy bits in advance!
What size tent can I bring? Can I bring a gazebo?
What size tent can I bring? Can I bring a gazebo?
At Camp Kindling, please only bring tents suitable for the number of people in your group.
Oversized tents and gazebos are not permitted.
Do I need to bring ID with me?
Do I need to bring ID with me?
Camp Kindling operates a Challenge 25 policy at the bars, so if you're planning to purchase alcohol or tobacco and happen to look under 25, you may be asked for ID. We'd always recommend adults bring some form of ID, just to be safe!