Brrr…it’s cold out there! We’ve been enjoying the winter weather, the snow in the forest classroom, and learning how to walk in snowshoes. We wanted to share what we have learned about layering techniques that are effective for keeping students comfortable outside throughout class. Those near 0 degree days feel much colder than a 20 degree day, and also require different layering. Our recommendations are below.

• Base Layer: Long johns or long underwear made of wool or silk. Should be soft and breathable (no cotton please!)
• Mid-Layer: Fleece pants and/or fleece top (long sleeved), wool socks, hat, and mittens. Most students use two pairs of mittens during class so please send an extra pair in their backpack.
• Extra Layer: Light coat, sweater, warm vest. Something that can fit under a larger coat.
• Outer Layer for cold/snow: Waterproof snow pant bibs. Bibs will prevent snow and wet getting onto skin, unlike snow pants. A waterproof and insulated jacket.
• Bogs, Muck Boots, or waterproof snowboots with an insulating layer in them and waterproof outer.  
  
• Outer Layer for wet/rain: In the spring when it starts to rain again (or if we have some warmer winter days with rain), your child will benefit from waterproof rain pants/bibs and a rain jacket.

We’ve observed, and you may have too, that some students run warm and some run cold. Typically in a class, we’ll have a couple of students who want to take their hat off 30 minutes into a class, or say they’re getting hot after being in the forest classroom for a short time, while other students need an extra layer and express that they are cold.
Given this information, it’s important to know your student and their clothing needs. We will help out by letting you know what we observe and if we have suggestions about clothing so they can be as comfortable as possible during class.

With all of this winter gear coming to class with students, it’s important to make sure your child’s things are labeled with their name so if an item is left behind we can return it to you promptly!

Please let us know if we can assist you in obtaining any of this recommended gear! Thanks to a generous donation by the Dreier Family we have extra pairs of fleece long johns available for check out. Additionally the Payette Children’s Forest just donated a large supply of winter snow boots to us. We also keep a credit at our local Dandy Lion Consignment shop in case we need to go shopping for more. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”  –Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British Explorer, Writer, and Poet