What to take on a hike?

When hiking, it's always important to have the right equipment. This affects how successful your hike might be and how comfortable you feel while hiking. Of course, equipment can sometimes vary among hikers depending on the individual, their preferences, and hiking habits, but there are some definite things every hiker should keep in mind regarding gear. Below, young hiking enthusiast Valter has compiled a list of equipment that would definitely be good to bring on a hike. 

Clothing  

Long trousers – wear them even in summer, they protect against ticks  

Dress in layers – if it's hot, you take one layer off, and if it gets cold, you put it back on.  

Rain poncho – should cover your bag as well as yourself, so that your belongings don't get wet  

Comfortable waterproof hiking boots – test the boots before hiking to prevent blisters from friction.  

Headwear – wear a baseball cap under your warm hat; if it starts to rain, you'll want to keep your face dry, and you'll generally feel drier.  

Other  

Backpack – could have a back support to make it more comfortable and reduce strain on the back  

Water bottle 0.5 l – stay hydrated, feel more energetic  

Charged phone – you never know what might happen during a hike, keep it with you just in case.  

Personal first aid and hygiene – definitely bring antiseptic spray and clean bandages. It is also advisable to bring various plasters. Also, be sure to bring mosquito and tick repellent. 

Eating utensils with handles (light and durable, e.g., plastic) – a handle is attached so it can be held like a mug. Usually, one cannot eat at a table, and hot food makes the utensil hot, which is uncomfortable to hold.  

A kettle would be a very good option; you can boil water in it, and it has a handle. 

Headlamp or flashlight – a headlamp is the best choice. It always gets dark at night, and you will need light to operate. 

Magamiskott – isegi kui on suvi, ära võta nõrgemat magamiskotti, mis on mõeldud 5< kraadideks, öösel on mul alati sellistega külm.  

Mattress – light and thin, easy to carry. If you want a softer mattress, just put branches and leaves under it. 

Waterproof bag – keep your fire-starting materials and things that must not get wet here. For example, a zip-lock plastic bag is a good option. 

Mattress pump – for when you're making a fire and want to blow oxygen into it to make it grow faster. It is light and small, and can be hung on a bag.  

The article was written by young Valter Puija 

news:

Youth Counselor Oksana Knjaz: “None of us has to handle everything on our own!”

Every young person has their own story, questions, and challenges. Sometimes, all it takes to move forward is for someone to help them clarify their thoughts and identify possible solutions. The youth counselors at the Tartu Youth Work Center support young people in precisely these moments, offering them the chance to talk about both everyday worries and more complex issues. Let’s meet Oksana Knjaz, a youth counselor working at our Anne House.

Read more »

Design socks for the Tartu Youth Work Center!

The Tartu Youth Work Center’s sock design contest is about to begin! Design socks using the provided sock template. You can find the template here or get a paper copy from your youth worker. You can create your design by hand or digitally. Include your name, contact information, and—if you’d like—a brief explanation of your design. Submit your finished work by October 25 at the latest to helene.toomeoks@tartu.ee or give it to your youth worker.

Read more »

Youth Counselor Kairi Kivaste: “My job is to listen and provide guidance, together with the young person”

There are times in a young person’s life when they don’t have to face their thoughts, worries, or questions alone. The Tartu Youth Work Center employs two youth counselors whom young people can turn to when they need someone to listen, help them make sense of a situation, and work together to find possible solutions. The youth counselors also support youth workers and help them identify and resolve

Read more »

Tartu, the Youth Capital, Opens a New Playground at the Anne Youth Center

Today, October 2, at 3:00 p.m., a new playground will open in the courtyard of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu), providing younger visitors with more opportunities for active leisure.The playground is part of a comprehensive plan for the Anne Youth Center’s outdoor area, which is being implemented in stages. In the coming years, the plan is to develop the entire outdoor area to create a space that meets the needs of young people of all ages.

Read more »

Summer Work Camp 2026: Friends, First Paychecks, and Experiences That Last a Lifetime

The summer of 2026 at the Tartu Youth Work Camp offered young people much more than just work experience. Feedback collected at the end of the camp clearly highlighted the things the young people valued most: new friends, their first earned paycheck, special experiences, and shared activities. New friends were the biggest win. Most often, the camp participants highlighted the opportunity to meet new

Read more »

An interactive adventure game titled “The Lost Trail” is being created at the Ilmatsalu Youth Center based on an idea from young people

What happens when you give young people the chance to think for themselves, experiment, build, and actually bring their ideas to life? An interactive adventure game called “The Lost Trail” is currently taking shape in Ilmatsalu, and local youth have been involved in its creation from start to finish. From an idea to an actual game… It all started when some young people stopped by the youth center and complained that in Ilmatsalu there wasn’t

Read more »

Tartu, the Youth Capital, Tested a Mobile Youth Work Bus 

What if, instead of waiting for young people to come to the youth center, the center went to where the young people actually are? Over the past four years, the Tartu Youth Work Center has been developing mobile youth work in Tartu’s public spaces. This summer, a mobile youth work bus (the MoNo bus) was tested for the first time to see if this kind of solution would help reach young people,

Read more »