What to Pack for an Alpine Day Camp
If you're weighing whether a mountain day camp is right for your family, packing is usually one of the first practical questions that comes up, right after "will my child be safe?" and "will they actually enjoy it?" Any seasoned hiker will tell you that what you pack for your hike can make or break your entire experience, so we work with you to make sure your kids are fully covered for their days in the Alps.
Smart layers
The single biggest misconception first-time parents have is that one good jacket will cover it. Mountain weather at altitude changes faster than it does at sea level, sometimes within the same morning. A child heading up toward Le Jaillet, for example, might start in a t-shirt and need a fleece by the time they're at the top. A clear morning in Megève can turn in an hour, and the kids who have proper layers barely notice the shift. That said, by far the most important item to pack is a thin, good quality rain jacket, even if the forecast is a day of sun. We ask for layers because a child who's cold or wet for even twenty minutes stops paying attention to everything else that's happening around them, which is the opposite of what a day outdoors is for.
Good quality water-proof hiking boots
The gear question we get most often is whether regular trainers are fine. They're not. A waterproof hiking boot with real ankle support and grip changes how a child moves on a trail, along river crossings, or even over wet grass after a morning of mist. Standard sneakers soak through in minutes and offer nothing on uneven ground, so a child in sneakers spends the day watching their feet instead of watching where they're going. It doesn't need to be an expensive pair or one that's been worn in for weeks, just a genuine hiking boot built for wet, uneven terrain. There are several great shops around Megève to buy boots if you can’t get them before you travel out.
A water bottle they can manage themselves
This sounds minor until you watch a child on a ropes course try to open a bottle with cold hands. We ask for something simple and leak-proof, because independence on the small things is part of what builds a child's confidence on the bigger ones. In fact, we actually require that kids bring two bottles to camp every morning. Our guides constantly remind them to hydrate themselves throughout the day, and it’s important that they have enough water with them no matter the temperature.
A few extras
Each day with Peak Pioneers is different, so we’ll also send out a packing list before camp starts along with reminders each evening for what’s to come the following day. For days along the river, they’ll need easy waterproof shoes like Crocs or Jellies. If the plan is to swim, they’ll of course need their swimsuit. We also provide our campers with special notebooks and pens to use when they have their more chill activities.
What we handle, what you bring
We provide the itinerary, guides, safety equipment, and the plan for the day. We ask that you handle the gear: the right clothing, the right footwear, sun protection, water, and a packed lunch. Having well-prepared kids makes a huge difference to how the day goes.
If you're still deciding whether Megève is the right place to bring your family this season, check out our itineraries to see what a typical week with Peak Pioneers looks like. Children thrive when they feel secure, and for us, the packing list is one small piece of a much bigger picture: making sure a child is set up to actually enjoy the mountain, not just survive it.
