MEETING PLACE: Saturday, at Basecamp
GEORGETOWN OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Summer BACKPACKING WEEKEND
PARTICIPANT CHECKLIST
Q: When do we leave?
A: Meet at Basecamp on the entry level of VCE (to the left of the student guard desk) at ______. Be Punctual Please.
What to Bring:
Gear:
1)Backpack
2)Sleeping Bag
3)Sleeping Pad
*Note: If you do not have any of these items, Outdoor Education can provide them. Additionally, if you would like to bring your own tent, etc. just let us know! Otherwise, OE will provide all group gear i.e. tents, stoves, water filters, bear-bagging equipment.
Clothing:
1)A pair of sturdy hiking boots with at least 10 miles of hiking on them.
2)At least two pairs of médium weight wool or synthetic socks
3)2 pairs of liner socks if you wish
4)Pair of hiking pants, preferably not cotton
5)Pair of shorts, preferably not cotton
6)Change of underwear
7)2 T-shirts, preferably not cotton
8)1 to 2 long-sleeved t-shirts, preferably not cotton
9)1 fleece or wool sweater
10) 1 warm hat (works well for keeping your head warm at night)
11) 1 baseball cap or something to keep the sun off your head and face
Misc:
1)Flashlight or headlamp
2)Personal Medications
3)2 water bottles, each of which should hold 1 liter/quart of water.
4)Toothbrush and toothpaste
5)Other personal hygiene products you might use such as contact solution, tampons etc. Don’t bring stuff like deodorant. The smell will attract animals, which is NOT something you want to do. FYI there ARE bears in Shenandoah National Park.
6)LOTS of plastic bags to put your stuff in. Trash bags work well.
7)Shoes that can get wet (old sneakers, sandals that hold well, NO flip-flops, they get stuck to mud and you will lose them). You may bring an extra pair of footwear in case your first pair gets wet. Extra pairs of socks are a must.
8)Personal mess kit (plate or bowl, spoon or fork, and drinking cup suitable for hot drinks). Swiss army knife or other small knife optional.
9)A good attitude. We need to help each other out when hiking, setting up camp, tending the fire, cooking and cleaning up. Everyone is expected to contribute and be respectful of each other.
What NOT to bring:
1)Weapons.
2)Your cell phone, handheld PSP, ipod touch, etc etc, and other disrupting electronic devices. If you absolutely must send text messages to your friends asking “where’s the party at?” all weekend, might as well stay at home. Guides will have their cell phones if you need to make an emergency call.
3)Alcohol or drugs of any sort.
4)Your own food. Food is already included, no need for special menus unless you have a significant dietary restriction.
5)Your homework. You may bring a book, but keep your Statistics homework at home.
6)Assume your stuff may get wet. Don’t bring anything that would sustain water damage if it did.
7)Jewelry or other stuff that could easily be lost.
Optionals:
1)Guitar or other hippie instrument (only if you know how to play it!).
2)I am ambivalent about whether to allow board-games or cards, maybe if you have a game we can all play...
3)Treats that you could not live without.
4)Hat, sunscreen or sunglasses.
5)Bug spray.
6)A cool story to share around the campfire.
Things I need to know:
1)Serious allergies
2)Important medications
3)Strict dietary restrictions (“I like my sandwiches cut into triangles” is not a dietary restriction ).
4)Physical disabilities that would prevent you from enjoying any of the activities we’ll be doing.
5) Any special activity you would like to add as long as it’s cool with the group.