By Lisa K. Savage

If your child is headed to summer camp, you’ll need to start shopping for supplies. Thankfully, most camps send out extensive lists detailing all the necessary clothes, equipment and accessories a camper will need. We’ve compiled a list of some local stores that sell these supplies. 

Once you’ve purchased the items, you should write your child’s name on everything or purchase labels. Mabel’s Labels (866) 306-2235 or www.mabel.ca and Stuck on You (866) 904-9790 or www.stuckonyou.biz, are two companies that allow you to purchase labels online. 

Keep in mind that camp is no place for posh new outfits. Older clothes and hand-me-downs are recommended, and if you have to shop for new items, look for inexpensive, durable, easy-to-wash-and-dry articles that can survive the rigours of daily camp activity. 

J. Schreter
4358 St. Laurent Blvd. 
(corner Marie-Anne)
(514) 845-4231 • www.schreter.com
You can find pretty much everything your child might need for camp at this store, whether you are looking for brand-name items or prefer a less-expensive generic style. Parents come here to load up on kids’ underwear, socks, T-shirts, shorts, sneakers, bathing suits and raincoats. The store also carries duffel, sleeping, laundry and mesh bags as well as flashlights. Personalized nametags or an embroidery service is also available. 

Dorval Scout Shop
267 Dorval Ave. (near Carson)
(514) 334-3004 ext. 204
This store sells a lot more than supplies for kids involved in Scouting. Parents can find backpacks, sleeping bags and liners, mats, pack pillows, flashlights, rain suits, hiking socks, shorts, hats, bug netting, pocket knives and biodegradable soap. 

Mountain Equipment Co-op
Marché Central
8989 L’Acadie Blvd.
(514) 788-5878 • www.mec.ca
Staff at Mountain Equipment Co-op help parents navigate the store, checking off items on their lists one by one. Sleeping bags and mats, backpacks, waterproof bags, life jackets, camping knives, clothing, footwear, rainwear, sun hats and ball caps are among the most common items available. The store also carries organic cotton clothes for eco-conscious families. 

Le Baron Sports
8601 St. Laurent Blvd. 
(south of the Metropolitan)
(514) 381-4231 • www.lebaron.ca
This discount outdoors store doesn’t carry children’s clothing, but has everything in the way of equipment that a young camper could need. It stocks duffel bags, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, mosquito netting, camp chairs and much more. You can shop online, by phone or fax and even have your purchases delivered. 

La Cordée 
2159 Ste. Catherine St. E. 
(near the Jacques Cartier bridge)
(514) 524-1106 • www.lacordee.com
La Cordée started out in 1953 as a co-op supply store for Scouts. The store carries a wide range of outdoor gear for all ages, as well as Scouting outfits and accessories. Parents come to La Cordée for basic camping equipment such as sleeping bags, backpacks and duffel bags and for the selection of children’s sandals and sports shoes.

Camp de Base
173 Cartier Ave., Pointe Claire
(514) 630-6717
This shop specializes in canoes and kayaks and carries the basics in camping gear. You can find sleeping bags, sleeping mats, backpacks, dry bags or liners for backpacks and life jackets. Though they don’t sell children’s clothing, they do have a lot of merino wool socks for campers that keep feet comfortable no matter what the temperature.