Training camp (TC) is 10 days spent in Gainesville, Georgia with my squad worshiping together, eating meals together, team building, and spending lots of time just getting to know each other. We lived out of our tents and road-tested our World Race gear.
I attended TC in October 2015. I deferred my Race after TC so I am headed down to Georgia again this August.
Now, I should put a couple disclaimers on this post. If you are one who wants to be fully surprised by everything at TC and take it as it comes, I would probably stop reading here. Also, every TC experience is different- mine was both similar and dissimilar to anything I read online- the staff at AIM are continuously challenging the ways they do things and trying to improve upon the experience. My next TC will be different than my last one, and yours will be different in some ways as well.
Also, I heard a rumor that my TC was one of the coldest (but driest- only one day of rain, our last day) one they have ever had, which may skew my opinions a little. You are outside 90% of the time, weather plays a HUGE factor. I felt a little weird bringing a sweatshirt (it is Georgia after all- not Minnesota!), but I brought it anyway- just in case “it was a little chilly in the evenings”.
Best decision ever. I literally lived in that thing. Check the weather before you head down and PACK ACCORDINGLY. I checked, saw the “high” would be a certain temp, and did not really register the fact that that “high” would be for an hour or two in the afternoon, the rest of the time it would be colder. 🙂
Also, I did post a blog right after TC last October, if you would like to check that one out as well. 🙂
Without further ado:
Laura’s Guide to Training Camp
EVERYTHING PACKING:
A picture of, pretty much, everything I brought, minus sleeping/tent gear. Packing cubes contain my clothes. The random mask was for Squad Wars- I didn’t end up bringing that.
Things I wish I left at home:
- My laptop, Kindle, really any electronics. I have no idea where I got the idea that it would be a good idea to bring my computer, but I was kicking myself the entire time. We did not have access to electrical outlets so it wasn’t going to last very long anyway (different than some of the older blogs I have seen). I had to carry it around in my daypack, or leave it in my tent and pray it didn’t get damaged. I’m for sure bringing it on the Race, but you don’t need it at TC. My Kindle was great while I was waiting at the airport, but I didn’t use it the rest of the week. There is always something to be doing, or processing, or journaling; I didn’t have time to read. I WAS glad I brought my iPod. A couple nights, as I was falling asleep, I just needed a little something familiar, so I would put on my favorite album.
- Jeans. I used to wear jeans all the time, so I thought I would bring a pair- they take up so much space, and the only time I wore them was on the plane and on our “team day outing”.
Things I wish I packed:
- A fork and a small plate. The entire time, I borrowed utensils from others or went without. Eating with your hands 5 days into TC? Not the most ideal situation. You can kind of see the plate I brought above (blue, in the middle of the picture) and it was just too bulky to be useful. I just bought a Sea to Summit collapsible bowl and a GoBites fork/spoon combo utensil. Lifesaver. I brought a Nalgene and I used it ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Seriously. Bring a good water bottle. USE IT.
- More hand sanitizer and wet wipes(!!) and tissues. This stuff is gold, for real. (Bucket) showers were hard to come by- I think I was able to have 2 the entire 10 days, plus one where I just used the hose and washed my hair in-between bucket fillings. Less of a problem for the men, I would imagine, but there are SO MANY other women at TC (not just your squad- every squad that will launch in the same month as you) and we had access to 8 showers. I am also going to bring some antibacterial wipes as well- 10 days of porta potties and only hand sanitizer to “wash” your hands was rough. I never got sick, praise the Lord. 🙂
- Women: A bathing suit. We didn’t really swim, but a swim suit would’ve been helpful for bathing. Lets just say, the showers aren’t the most private I’ve ever used… and someone may or may not have walked in on me on accident… yeah. A tankini would’ve been nice.
- Women: (Seriously, guys, skip to the next bullet point): More tampons. I brought a few “just in case”, and I regretted it. The excitement, emotional stress, physical stress, and nervousness… caused me to be early. I wasn’t the only one either. If you don’t get it during TC, some poor (less prepared) woman on your squad will… help a sister out.
- A couple snacks. OK so, I am the least adventurous eater you have ever met. TC is designed to stretch you in every way, and it is so fun to be able to experience different meals from the cultures you will experience on the race. That being said, I was hurting because not only do you experience the kinds of food from other cultures, you experience similar amounts those cultures eat. What I’m trying to say: in America, we eat a lot. At TC you won’t- you will have ENOUGH, but I am personally used to eating more than enough. I was vegetarian when I entered TC, it was a struggle to change my eating habits. At one point, a friend shared a small peanut butter packet she brought, that was enough. I am personally bringing a few peanut butter packets- a little extra protein to help out in the rough moments the first couple days, until I adjust. You WILL adjust. 🙂
- Some sort of instant cold coffee packets (Starbucks has some that are pretty good). Because. Caffeine… And hot water doesn’t exist.
- A pillow. I didn’t buy one before TC because, “I can just fold up clothes and use that”… It worked, but I would’ve rather had a pillow.
- Clothes I was comfortable in. I brought a lot of T-shirts to TC. I don’t wear T-shirts in real life. Obviously, you need some “workout” type clothing, but it would’ve been nice to have my “typical” outfits to wear during worship or sessions or down time… Granted, it’s hard to know what to wear since you tend to go from an early morning workout to breakfast to a session to a hike… Let’s just say, it would’ve been nice to have more clothing that felt like “me” rather than having gone out and spent money on clothes I wouldn’t actually wear at home. I feel a little silly even writing this point, because no one is dressing up at all all week (minus team day), and no one cares what you look like, but it’s nice to be comfortable. LONG STORY SHORT: Be you, man.
- A hammock. I just got one Eno on sale are REI- if you have one, bring it. Most of my “down time” was in the afternoon- where it was too hot to be in my tent, even in October. Besides, many days, your tent will be packed away and, if you’re an introvert like me, you may need somewhere to be able to go and chill for a little while.
I am so glad I brought:
- A watch. Many people didn’t bring one- they expected to use their phones, which just isn’t feasible at TC- I was glad I had my watch.
- A journal, a Bible, and multiple pens. Oh my word. God is going to rock your world at TC. There will be so much to process through… I highly suggest you bring a journal to work through what gets brought up. Also- you are going to hear so many amazing speakers, there is so much to absorb in such a short time, you are going to want to take notes. If you like to do art journaling, bring supplies for that as well, it’s worth it.
- Small carabiners. “You guys have 10 minutes to pack up everything, including your sleeping gear and tents, and be ready to go.” Happened more times than I can count. Carabiners were great to clip stuff I didn’t have time to deal with to my pack (dirty shoes, water bottle, really anything with a loop to hook it with).
Random Advice:
- The footprint for your tent is (probably) different on both sides. At least mine is. Apparently one side is more water resistant and is supposed to be the side facing the ground, I got that wrong and now my footprint is dyed orange-ish because of Georgia’s red dirt. Tip: Know your gear before you get to TC.
- My dear introverted friends… I get it. I’m an introvert too, a shy one, especially when I first meet you. Push yourself. Dance parties (why so much Taylor Swift??), team building games, walking up and talking to people… it’s going to happen, dear one. My advice- start building relationships with squad mates now; for example, my Squad has a group chat on Facebook that I’m constantly posting on, just so I can start breaking down my walls, because I know it takes me so long. Always remember you aren’t doing this in your strength. Don’t overdo it, take time to process and recharge, and don’t feel guilty if you need to step away for a little while, but always keep pushing yourself. Remember these people are family, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
- My dear extroverted friends… I don’t understand you guys as well, but my advice would be to be sure to take time to process and be alone with Jesus. There is so much time to be with everyone, but still be sure to be intentional to carve out time for just you and God.
- These people are family- and sometimes family is irritating. There are going to be people that rub you the wrong way from the get-go. Give them a chance. Don’t write someone off because you assume you know who they are based off your limited interactions. Pray for them, love them with Christ’s love. There are some people you are going to click with right away and you are going to want to spend your time with them… but keep getting to know as many people as possible… because chances are, you aren’t going to be put on a team with your best friends.
- Team day was hard. I cried. Multiple times. Not because I was upset with who I got placed on a team with, but because who I wasn’t with. I love the ladies I got placed with- but, in the moment, 8 days into TC, exhausted and hungry and tired and stretched beyond recognition… it was just too much. Everyone has a different reaction, but just know that it might be hard… but your leaders know what they are doing, they are following after God with all their hearts and they want what is best for you and the squad. It will be ok, I promise.
- Get used to long hours now. I am not a morning person, getting up, hiking to the bathroom, getting ready, packing up everything, and being on time for our morning workout session, all before 7am was rough. Rare was a day when we got to keep our tent up. The practice is great, and you’ll be an expert by the end of TC (which is the point). Yes, we had a daily exercise session- for about a half hour every morning we would run, do yoga, hike with our packs, etc. Little hint- if they let you sleep in or they don’t have a morning exercise time, it’s going to come back sometime later in the day. 🙂
- Pack minimally. You really don’t need everything you think you do. Practice packing. Accept the fact that you are probably going to smell a little by the end of this thing, but, guess what, everyone else will too. Spritz some body spray and move on. 🙂
- The fitness challenge: It is what you make it. In October we had to do 2 miles in 35 minutes with our big packs, in August I will be doing 3 miles in 50 minutes with my big pack. The hike is on a street which helps (I heard “hike” and thought it was going to be in the woods) but there are some definite hills so practice accordingly. I do suggest you practice with your pack and have it weighted. The biggest issue for me wasn’t the endurance aspect per se, but dealing with my pack. There were points were my buddy and I had to run it for a bit, in order to make the time, and I wasn’t used to running with my pack. It’s so awkward if you aren’t used to it. Some of our squad mates ran the whole thing, so it’s possible.
My biggest piece of advice would be just go with it. Let go of your control, say “yes” to what God is doing in the moment and just let it be. I don’t know what I was expecting going into TC, but it was more challenging and more wonderful than I could have ever expected. I have some trepidation going into it this summer- but I know it’s going to be good.
That’s what I got, at least for now. I’ll add to this as I think of things- I would love to answer questions if you have them! 🙂
Much love,
Laura
