Annual camp is the one week a year an Army Cadet Force unit swaps the drill hall for field conditions, and the kit list on your joining instructions rarely explains why each item is on there. This guide breaks the standard cadet force annual camp kit list into categories that actually matter, with real gear to fill the gaps issued kit doesn't cover.
- A cadet force annual camp kit list splits into six categories: uniform, boots, sleeping system, carrying kit, admin, and spares.
- MOD Altberg Defender boots and British Army Iturri Patrol boots both suit annual camp - fit and break-in time decide the winner.
- The British Army FESCA modular sleeping bag system covers a cold May camp and a warm August one from a single setup.
- Pack three pairs of spare socks minimum and label every item - unlabelled kit is the most common camp loss.
Why this matters
Most cadets get one shot at packing right before annual camp starts, and the joining instructions list rarely says which items are genuinely worth buying versus what's already sat in the unit stores. Overpack and you're carrying dead weight on a route march. Underpack the sleeping system or boots and you're cold or blistered by day three, which is when most cadets start hating a week they should be enjoying.
The cadet kit essentials for first-term training guide covers what a new cadet needs before their first parade night. Annual camp kit builds on that base but adds field-specific gear a weekly parade never touches — proper sleeping systems, spare boots, and enough spare kit to survive a week without a laundry run.
What goes on a cadet force annual camp kit list
Break the list into six categories before you buy anything. Most units issue combat clothing and basic sleeping kit, so the buying decisions sit in the gaps.
| Category | What it covers | Buy or check issued kit first |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform & layers | Combat shirt/trousers, spare T-shirts, mid-layer fleece | Usually issued; buy a mid-layer if the unit doesn't provide one |
| Boots | Patrol or mountain boots | Buy if issued boots don't fit or are worn past comfortable |
| Sleeping system | Sleeping bag, roll mat, blanket | Improve on issued kit for cold nights |
| Carrying kit | Rucksack, kit bag, webbing | Buy once — a decent rucksack outlasts several cadet years |
| Admin & hygiene | Wash kit, spare socks, boot cleaning kit | Cheap, buy your own |
| Spares & extras | Head torch, poncho, blanket, batteries | Buy budget versions, they get lost |
Get the sleeping system and boots sorted first. Those two categories cause more mid-camp complaints than everything else on this list combined.
Boots: MOD Altberg Defender vs British Army Iturri Patrol
Boots are the single item most likely to make or break annual camp. Both these options are genuine military-grade footwear, not high-street hiking boots badged as tactical.
| Boot | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| MOD Altberg Defender Brown Boots | Cadets wanting a general-purpose, all-weather boot that handles wet fields and hard tracks | Buy |
| British Army Iturri Patrol Boot | Cadets matching official MTP-pattern kit or wanting a lighter patrol boot for drier camps | Buy |
The Altberg Defender is a heavier, more supportive boot — good on uneven ground and river crossings, but it needs proper breaking in before camp week, not the night before. The Iturri Patrol is lighter underfoot and better for camps with more marching than field craft, though it offers less ankle support on rough terrain. Neither is right for a cadet who's never worn boots in before; whichever you pick, wear them on at least three route marches before you travel to camp.
Sleeping system: wool blanket vs modular sleeping bag system
Most issued kit still runs a wool blanket, which works fine for a warm July camp but leaves cadets cold on a wet May or September week.
The British Army FESCA Modular Full Sleeping Bag System is a layered setup — you use the inner bag alone for summer camps and add the outer shell for cold nights. It's heavier to carry than a single blanket, and it takes more space in a bergen, but it's the one piece of kit that stops a cold night ruining the next day's training. A British Army wool grey blanket is lighter, cheaper to replace if damaged, and still does the job for a mid-summer camp with a decent roll mat underneath — it just won't cut it in a cold snap.
Verdict: buy the modular system if your camp dates sit in the shoulder seasons; a blanket plus roll mat is fine for a guaranteed warm-weather week.
Carrying kit: rucksack vs kit bag
Annual camp needs two different carrying items and cadets often buy only one. A rucksack or bergen carries what you use daily — sleeping system, spare layers, wash kit. A kit bag or duffle carries the rest — spare boots, parade kit, anything you're not touching until the last day.
A Forces 44 litre rucksack suits a week-long camp comfortably; a Forces 25 litre pack is too small once a sleeping system and spares go in. A canvas duffle or kit bag for the overflow means you're not overloading the rucksack for a short walk from transport to accommodation. The best cadet backpacks for weekend camps guide breaks down sizing in more detail if annual camp is your first time packing for more than a night away.
Why cadet camp kit lists vary
No two units run identical kit lists, even within the same cadet force. The variation usually comes down to a handful of factors:
- Camp dates — a May camp runs colder overnight than an August one, which changes the sleeping system call
- Cadet force branch — Army, Sea, and Air cadet units pack differently for the same week
- Camp location — a fixed barracks camp needs less field kit than a tented field camp
- Adventure training add-ons — extra badges or activities during the week add specific kit requirements
- Unit admin standard — some units run tighter kit inspections and expect spares for every item
- Individual fitness and experience — a first-camp cadet often needs more spares than a returning one who knows their own pack list
How many pairs of socks should a cadet pack for annual camp?
Three pairs of socks is the minimum for a week-long camp, more if the forecast includes wet route marches. Wet feet inside dry boots still blister, so spare socks matter as much as the boots themselves.
Can cadets wear personal boots instead of issued boots at annual camp?
Most units allow personal boots at annual camp as long as they meet the unit's standard, which is usually confirmed on the joining instructions before you buy. Check with your unit before spending on boots — some camps still require issue-pattern footwear for parade days even if field boots are personal choice.
What size rucksack does a cadet need for a week at annual camp?
A 44 litre rucksack is the practical minimum for a week at annual camp once a sleeping system, spare uniform and wash kit go in. Anything smaller than 35 litres forces cadets to overflow into a second bag for daily kit, which gets awkward on a route march.
FAQ
What's the most commonly forgotten item on a cadet force annual camp kit list?
Spare socks and a working torch top the list most often. Both are cheap, small, and easy to leave off a packed bergen the night before travel.
Is a wool blanket warm enough for annual camp?
A British Army wool grey blanket is warm enough for a mid-summer camp with a roll mat underneath, but it struggles on cold spring or autumn nights compared with a modular sleeping bag system.
How much kit does a cadet actually need for a week at annual camp?
Enough to fill a 44 litre rucksack plus a small kit bag for spare boots and parade kit — most of the uniform itself is already issued by the unit.
Should cadets buy their own webbing or use issued kit?
Issued webbing covers most annual camp needs; buying your own only makes sense if a cadet is progressing toward more field-heavy training or adventure training badges.
Do cadets need a separate wash kit for annual camp?
Yes — annual camp accommodation rarely has the storage weekly parade nights have, so a compact wash kit that fits in a small pouch works better than home toiletries.
Are MOD Altberg boots suitable for cadets on their first annual camp?
MOD Altberg Defender boots suit a first annual camp if broken in beforehand — they're heavier and more supportive than trainers-style boots, which matters most for cadets unused to marching in boots.
What's the difference between a rucksack and a kit bag for camp?
A rucksack carries daily-use kit on your back; a kit bag or duffle carries spare boots, parade kit and anything you're not accessing until the end of camp.
One last thing
Label everything — surname and initial on boots, mess tins, and every loose item that isn't sewn into uniform. Most kit that goes missing at annual camp isn't stolen, it's just unlabelled and picked up by the wrong cadet in a shared accommodation block. That single habit saves more replacement costs across a cadet force annual camp kit list than any single piece of gear on it.
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