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DEES Nature-Based Kindergarten
Gear Guide
There is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right gear!
As a reminder, due to the amount of time spent outdoors in this program, in all kinds of weather, appropriate gear for all seasons is vital for students’ comfort and success.
A list of gear provided by the school and a list of gear that you will need to provide, along with resources for obtaining it, is given below. We have also included The Outdoor School Shop's special DE Nature page and the code for a discount!
We do not want gear to be a barrier to your child's participation in the program. If you are experiencing difficulties obtaining the necessary gear, please reach out to the elementary office and we will work with your family to get what is needed.
School-Provided Gear
The following gear will be provided for your child and will remain at school:
Oaki one-piece rain suit
Oaki loop-handle rain boots
Reima lined rain mittens
Family-Provided Gear
Gear Provided by Family (all items must be labeled with first and last name):
Light-weight jacket for fall/spring
Knit hat for fall/spring
Winter jacket/parka (waterproof)
Snow pants/bibs (waterproof with reinforced knees)
Snow Boots (waterproof)
Warm winter hats
Light mittens
Heavy snow mittens (waterproof and pull up over the jacket sleeve)
Neck gaiter or face mask (fleece is preferred and is warmer than other materials)
Insulated water bottle
Extra clothing (labeled), for when your child's clothes get wet or dirty at school.
Resources for Gear
Not all outdoor gear is created equal. Even notable, brand-name companies have gear that is not really meant for extensive outdoor play & learning.
The Outdoor School Shop has worked closely with programs & parents over the years to create a one-stop-shop for gear that is both effective and durable.
We're excited to share that The Outdoor School Shop + DE Nature-Based Kindergarten have partnered & created an easy way for families to shop our gear checklist and receive a discount! You'll be able to find everything on our gear checklist, including some highly recommended brands on our special DE Nature-Based Kindergarten gear page.
If you decide to shop here, you'll be able to use a unique code (see below) to receive 15% off your entire order!
FYI: This code will work for anything in the shop, not just the items on our specific page!!! Feel free to shop items for other kids, for yourself or for summer fun!
Note: Many brands are based overseas so are not the same as our sizing. Please read each item's description and sizing carefully before purchasing.
Visit: www.outdoorschoolshop.com/schools/dover-eyota-nature-based-kindergarten/
15% off code: DOVER
There are many great brands that are NOT on The Outdoor School Shop, too.
- Land's End offers a wonderful, waterproof parka and waterproof snow pants (they often go on sale AND you can get a 50% off code for signing up for their list!)!! They also have great base layers (long underwear) available, too!
- LL Bean offers a host of outdoor products, including snow gear, base layers, fleece mid-layers, socks and more!
- Kamik offers the Rocket and the Snowbuster as great snow boot options.
- Turtle Fur offers great fleece neck gaiters, but also has options for winter hats and more!
- Smartwool also offers great hats, as well as wool socks, base layers and more!
- Yeti Rambler Jr insulated water bottle - it's easy for kids to use with mittens on!
- Polaryn O. Pyret is a Swedish company that is a leading brand in outerwear. They offer most of the outdoor gear on our checklist and they have also offered families a 15% discount! Once you sign up at the link (here), you just need to be logged into your shopping account for the discount to apply. No code is needed. Just list our school as the outdoor "school". You can use the discount on an unlimited basis throughout the year & it applies to anything you buy!
Many retailers offer the types of gear your child will need & offer discounts on products if you sign up for their mailing lists or if you meet their discount qualifications (teacher, veteran, medical professional, etc). Many items can also be found, possibly for less, on Amazon, REI or elsewhere if you do an internet search.
Discount clothing sites can also be explored, such as kidizen, ThredUP, and WornWear. You may also try second-hand stores such as Janky Gear (in Rochester).
You can find many quality items at garage sales or handed-down from family or friends! Just be sure the items are still in good condition, without holes or tears & have working zippers, clasps, Velcro & buttons.
We suggest shopping ahead of time to have the gear for each season before the season arrives. Gear can be a great birthday or Christmas gift from family & extended family, too!
Note: You're not required to purchase anything we've recommended at the Outdoor School Shop or through any of the other brands we've recommended. They are just that - recommendations. The items on the gear list will be needed, but you can shop around & see what you can find.
Gear Communication
There will be communication from your child’s teacher regarding gear. We'll send out the seasonal gear reminders as we enter each season.
If we notice that any gear is not working well for your child, we'll communicate that with you. Then, we can work together to see what we can do to be sure your child has a comfortable experience.