Kent Island Equipment List
The Outing Club has a limited number of backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads for students to borrow. As such, we encourage bringing your own of these items, or borrowing from friends or family. If this is not possible please be in contact about borrowing these items before August 5th. Additional items will be available for purchase at the BOC upon arrival including wool socks, long underwear (tops and bottoms), headlamps, and water bottles; financial aid is available for those who qualify. If you have any questions about gear please contact bocOtrips@bowdoin.edu.
Kent Island Weather
Fog, high winds, driving rain, and glorious sunshine. Although it may be hot in Brunswick in August, temperatures on Kent Island may not reach the 70s F. On days when temps reach the 60s, it will feel like a summer heat wave. Evenings will be cool (40s F), and it will often be windy and wet – clouds, fog, rain, drizzle and wet vegetation. Be prepared, and you won’t mind it a bit.
Packing Tip
When we arrive at Kent Island, the tide will likely be too low to bring the boat all the way to the dock. This means we may have to transfer to a skiff and land on Plank Beach and hike ¾ mile through marsh, tide pools, and muddy trails to reach the dorm. We will leave most of our gear on the boat overnight until the next high tide. So, when you pack your gear, use two bags, one of which should contain the essential items that you will absolutely need on your first night (e.g., toothbrush, medications, sleeping bag, rubber boots, rain gear, headlamp). Backpacks and soft duffel bags are best; rigid suitcases and rolling bags are not well-suited for the trip. Line your luggage with a trash bag to keep the contents dry.
Checklist of Essential Items to Bring
Passport and 1 other form of ID (and a visa for non-US citizens)
- Please check that it is up to date and send a copy to abastida@bowdoin.edu.
Clothes
▢ Rain coat - there are spare rain pants and rain jackets on the island
▢ Rain pants (optional) – there are spare rain pants and rain jackets on the island
▢ *Sturdy, knee-high rubber boots you’ll be wearing these all the time so be sure they fit
(Boots can be borrowed from the Ecology lab – please fill out the gear request form if you need to borrow some boots)
▢ Sneakers or other walking shoes
▢ Slippers are nice for the dorm where shoes are not allowed
▢ Quick-drying pants
Fleece or other non-cotton sweaters (it's colder than you think, and it’s wet)
▢ Clothes for 4 days
(Plan on a set of clothes for exploring the island that you will wear many days in a row and a clean set for supper and evenings)
▢ Sun hat (for gull and sun protection, and for warmth on rainy days)
▢ Warm hat
▢ Wool socks x 2 pairs
▢ Gloves
Equipment
▢ Watch – device used to tell the time when you don’t have your phone
▢ **Flashlight or headlamp (LED lights are best at conserving battery power)
▢ *Sleeping bag and pillow, or blankets and sheets
▢ **Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
▢ Binoculars (optional)
Miscellaneous
▢ Musical instrument for around the campfire
▢ Ideas for wacky games; there are frisbees and balls on island
▢ Journal
▢ Book
▢ Towel
▢ Prescription medications
▢ Sunglasses, if you're an optimist
▢ Spare glasses
▢ Camera with extra batteries or charger – or even film
▢ Sunscree (including protection for lips)
*=Available to borrow from the BOC or Kent Island
**=Available to purchase from the BOC, student aid available