Kit list for students and teachers
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Date posted: 13/10/2020
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Time to read: 3 Minutes
If your students are cold, wet, thirsty, or sunburnt, they won’t be attentive and won’t learn very much. And if you are outside for any length of time in bad conditions, having the right kit is important in keeping everyone safe.
Every location is different and conditions can change quickly. Our education teams can give you expert advice on what to take on your trip, and our National Park Centres can tell you the latest conditions.
Here’s a basic list of kit for your students, and extra things a group leader should have, too:
Kit list for students
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Walking boots (if walking any distance) or wellies (if ground is very wet and not walking too far)
- Lightweight trousers that don’t rub and will dry out quickly — not jeans (if jeans get wet they stay wet for hours and get heavy and uncomfortable)
- Layers of tops, preferably a synthetic top next to your skin rather than cotton (cotton gets wet from sweating and can make you wet and cold)
- Warm gloves and hat, especially if you are going to upland areas. It can be cold and windy on hill tops even if warm at the bottom
- Spare socks in case you get your feet wet
- Lots to drink, you get much thirstier being active outdoors
- Packed lunch and small snacks to eat throughout the day
- Backpack big enough to put everything in, preferably with padded straps and hip belt
- Backpack liner (plastic bags work great!) to keep everything dry
Extra kit to consider
Summer kit:
- Hat with a brim or cap
- Top with high collar and sleeves to prevent sunburn
- Suncream
- Insect repellant
- Extra drink
Winter kit:
- At least four layers of tops, including at least one warm fleecy or woollen jumper
- Warm gloves
- Fleecy or woollen hat
- Scarf
- Thick, warm socks
- Hot drink in a flask
Kit list for teachers
- First Aid kit
- Map and compass (and know how to use them)
- Whistle and small torch
- Mobile phone – but remember that most rural areas have limited or no signal
- GPS device – but don’t rely on it. Tree cover, bad signal or lack of battery power can stop them working, always take a map and compass as well
- Useful phone numbers (e.g. nearest National Park Centre, bus driver, accommodation)
- Next of kin contact details and medical requirements for pupils
- Risk assessment
- Emergency energy food for group, such as chocolate or jelly sweets
- Extra liquids for group
- Survival bag (dustbin bags will do)
🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp!
Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.
From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.
Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚
#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂
From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.
It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.
Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬
📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography
#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks
Autumn is a chance to give nature a helping hand. 🍂
From leaving fallen leaves to providing food for birds, small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways to help nature this season.
#NatureRecovery #Autumn #NationalParks
An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅
Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.
While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.
Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.
#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK
They’re more than just pretty places. 🌳
Our National Parks are home to some incredible trees, from ancient giants to England’s tallest tree.
Swipe through for a few #WildFacts about the trees growing across our 15 National Parks.
#NationalParksUK #Trees #Woodland
National Parks are places where animals make their homes, people catch up over coffee, and we pause to marvel at the dark skies above.
Places to connect, discover and look a little closer.
We’d love to see your images of autumn in action in a National Park. Tag us or use the hashtag #AutumnInAction 🧡
#NationalParks #Autumn
What if Middle-earth’s Rangers had more in common with National Park Rangers than we might think?
Of course, our National Park Rangers have a little less to worry about than Aragorn and his fellow Rangers.
But they do both know their landscapes well, protect the places they love and guide others to find their way.
Across the UK’s 15 National Parks, our Rangers are taking action every day. They may not be defending the Shire from the forces of darkness, but they certainly do an incredibly important job. 💚
#MiddleEarth #Rangers #NationalParksUK
15 National Parks. One shared challenge. Our climate is changing, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfire across our landscapes.
That’s why we’ve committed to taking action through our new Wildfire Management Position Statement. Together, the National Parks will work to support nature recovery to help manage wildfire risk, plan for and strengthen wildfire response and coordination, improve risk management and preparedness, and share clear, consistent public messaging.
But we can’t do it alone.
Communities, organisations, land managers and visitors all have a role to play in reducing wildfire risk. By working together, we can help protect our National Parks and prepare for a future where hotter, drier weather may increase the risk of wildfire.
Read the full statement by clicking on the link in our bio 🔗
Photos:
Slide 1 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Ed Smith. Slide 2 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 3 - View across Loch Morlich during Glenmore wildfire, July 2026, © Brenna Jessie. Slide 4 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 5 - View from the cab of a tractor aiding in fighting the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park, CPNA. Slide 5 - Firefighting vehicles at the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith.
#Wildfires #NationalParksUK
