While we’re still waiting on the first snow of the season here in Maine, we’re already excited for all that summer 2022 has to bring. We’re making our lists (and checking them twice!) to make sure everything’s in order for what we expect to be our best summer yet. As such, we wanted to share with you a few goodies that are not only great for gifting but even better for out in the field on an Apogee trip! 

If you’ve already enrolled your son or daughter on an Apogee program, you can log in to your CampInTouch account and click on “Forms & Documents” to find your child’s trip-specific packing list as a PDF document available to download. Otherwise, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call if you have questions or would like to discuss any of our trip itineraries; we’d love to chat! 

We hope this short (but mighty) list of gift ideas inspires a bit of joy, and a whole lot of excitement, as we get ready for the holiday season.

Headlamps are a wonderful gift for outdoor enthusiasts and late-night readers alike; they also happen to make great stocking stuffers! A few brands recommended by our leaders include the Princeton Tek, the Petzl Tikka, and the Black Diamond 350. Think of it as a gift guaranteed to light up the room!

For those looking to take up a new hobby, be more creative, or attend our Maine Coast Photo trip this summer, any digital camera is a great place to start. For those looking for a specific brand, our Maine Coast Photo photography instructor has suggested anything in the Canon Rebel line for beginners and more advanced photographers alike.

Rain Pants & Rain Jackets will be one of your favorite items on any Apogee trip. Whether your day is spent ice-climbing on a glacier on Alaska Mountains & Coast or sea-kayaking in the stunning San Juan Islands on Northwest Explorer, a set of wind and rain proof outer layers will be the gift that keeps on giving. So for anyone who prefers to be both warm and dry after a long day of epic adventuring, here are a few rain gear tips:

• Look for products that are waterproof, not just water resistant. A quick tip – if you’re not sure if the old jacket you have lying around is waterproof, hold the fabric up to your mouth and try to suck air through a layer of the coat. If you’re able to suck any air through the fabric that means it’s not waterproof!
• While heavy PVC rain gear is certainly waterproof, it’s not very breathable and can get uncomfortable in a hurry if you’re working up a sweat. Look for something lighter, like this rain jacket from Columbia.
• Got an old rain jacket but it seems to have lost some of its waterproofing abilities? Instead of buying a new one, try using a re-waterproofing product like Nikwax Tx.Direct to make the jacket as good as new!
• Rain pants, while optional on many of our packing lists, can be great for not only keeping those legs dry, but also for bug protection! Look for rain pants that have zippers at the bottom of each pant-leg like these from L.L. Bean.

Giving an Apogee trip as a present and want to have something physical to put under the tree? Or maybe you have some Apogee alumni in your household who want to rock the latest Apo-gear. Regardless of your motivations, you should check out the Apogee Gear Store, where we have Apogee-branded hooded sweatshirts and Nalgene water bottles for sale. We’re especially stoked for this year’s hoodie: a soft cotton blend in charcoal gray that is sure to provide an extra layer of warmth (and memories!) all year long. Here’s a picture of trip leaders Nate & Lila rocking the sweatshirt on their California Mountains & Coast trip last summer. The last day to place your holiday apparel order is 12 PM (EST) on Monday, December 6th!

Wool socks in the summer? You betcha! Wool socks dry faster, wick sweat better, reduce blisters, and last longer than cotton socks; they are an essential on any Apogee hiking trip. Look for “hiking” style wool socks, which are often thinner than a pair designed for skiing or lounging in the cool winter temps. A few of our favorite brands here in the office include DarnTough and Smartwool. Both brands are sure to keep your feet feeling just right.

And finally, for the families enrolled on our biking trips, if you’re considering purchasing a bicycle for your child’s Apogee trip – stay tuned! Our next blog will cover everything you need to know to purchase the right touring bicycle for your child’s Apogee trip.

From all of us at Apogee, happy (almost) holidays!