I know…before you say anything, yes, this is ANOTHER packing list. But before I go anywhere with this, I want you to know that this is the packing list I wish I would have read before Training Camp.
You’re going to see and hear about the hike, I want this to be the first thing I tell you- it’s not completely on a road, it’s not completely flat, and it’s not easy (also, think about what you pack because you have to carry your big pack for the hike so maybe don’t make it as heavy as you might think it needs to be)
Okay, so the following is what I took to TC:
- 3 to 4 DRESS CODE appropriate shorts (you’re going to sweat in them, they’re going to smell!!! And don’t think they won’t ask you to change if they’re too short, they will!)
- 1 to 2 pairs of LONG bottoms: can be jeans, skirt, or loose fitting pants. At least one pair needs to cover your ankles and if they don’t then you’ll need socks to cover your ankles for Africa day.
- 6 shirts, your squad will probably order squad shirts which means once you get there you’ll have a shirt waiting for you. Plus they sell merch and you can buy new and cute shirts there!!
- Chacos/Tevas — whichever you prefer, both are equally worn. If you really like tennis shoes/if you want to do the hike in them, then take them- I personally never wore mine so if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t take any.
- Underwear for every day. Trust me on this one, please!
- Shampoo/conditioner (maybe don’t get the smallest thing you can, people are going to use yours)
- Castille Soap (washes almost anything, your body, hair, clothes and more)
- Pack towel from active endeavors. Regular towels take up too much space in backpacks.
- Take snacks!! This year they had a concession stand because an AIM employee was fundraising for an adoption so maybe check and see if they’re having a concession before you go. Even if they have a concession, take snacks!!!
- Dry shampoo — maybe — I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would because I showered more than I thought I was going to.
- D E O D O R A N T (don’t take perfume, it attracts bugs and the bugs are already wild there)
- Bug spray!! Especially if you sleep in a hammock!
- Sun screen (I would say only if you’re super sensitive to the sun. You’re not in the sun a TON. If you want to bring some to be same, one travel size is plenty)
- Luci Light!!! (either Google it or look at REI)
- Head lamp!!!
- Headphones & maybe another pair because you’ll lose your first pair (people at your campsite will talk even after it’s ‘bed time’)
- 2 person tent, don’t even think about bringing a 1 person tent, just DONT. I took the North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent from dicks.
- HAMMOCK!! HAMMOCK!! HAMMOCK!! I loved sleeping in mine!
- Sleeping pad, of course!!
- Bed sheet/sleeping bag liner, it’s so hot in Georgia that I don’t think you’ll want anything thicker than those.
- Pillow: I brought a regular sized pillow and loved it. Also, I never thought about getting a pillow before like 2 days before TC so I was a little behind on that.
- First aid kit: you never know what could happen….(better to be safe than sorry!!!) ]
- stuff sacks! I put my clothes in one and made it much smaller than I thought was possible– totally recommend!
Here’s what I didn’t take, and would highly suggest:
- CAMERA, they’re going to take your phones during the day so that you can be intentional with friendships and your relationship with Jesus. Take a camera so that you can still take pictures! —— Believe it or not, but not having your phone during that time is awesome!! So badly you’ll want to just scroll on social media but this way you have to talk to people and make new friends….WHAAAAT!!? I know! It’s amazing!
- WATCH, doesn’t matter what kind, just one with the time. You’ll thank me later.
- Razors, I thought going 10 days without shaving my legs would be okay to simply put it, I will never do this again.
- Febreeze spray. Let me say that again. F E B R E E Z E S P R A Y!!!! Your clothes will smell very bad. (People will also use yours so maybe get extra) so yeh, FEBREEZE SPRAY 🙂
- Face paint; squad wars is intense
Helpful information:
- keep at least 1 clean outfit to wear home, the people on the plane/in the car next to you will thank you 🙂
- makeup isn’t necessary, I never even thought about my makeup once.
- if you go in July, I wouldn’t take a sweatshirt even though it’s on the packing list. You’ll regret bringing it because it’s so hot. Looking at it in your bag will make you sweat even more than you already are.
- Bucket showers are (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) amazing!!!!
- don’t take your computer, it’s heavy and you don’t have much down time to even use it at all.
- ONLY take clothes you wear at home
- Don’t over pack
THANKS FOR AN AMAZING TRAINING CAMP, V SQUAD!! I LOVE YOU ALL AND I CANT WAIT TO BE ON THE FIELD WITH YOU!!!!
