Jump to second semester packing list

First Semester (All Sites)

You are limited to two bags and one carry-on per person (we will be firm on this!)

• Socks: 100% cotton is good, but wool socks and/or quick drying hiking socks are also good options
• 1 pair of running shoes
• 1 pair of light weight hiking boots/shoes (inexpensive but comfortable will suffice)

• Jeans
• Casual cotton pants
• Sportswear
• Sweaters/sweatshirts
• Long sleeved cotton shirts
• T-shirts
• Adequate # of underwear
• Fleece:  Light or medium weight is sufficient
• Pajamas
• Bathing suit: Women, no bikinis, only tankinis or one piece suits; guys, no Speedos.
• One dressy outfit (Christmas party, grad, etc.)
• Work clothes and work gloves for service days
• Rain gear (water proof jacket – required; pants – optional)
• Winter jacket:  Including toque, gloves, scarf and long underwear
• Snow pants (optional)

• Day pack (your “carry-on” piece)
• Backpack:  At least 65 litres
• Duffle bag or suitcase (as your second bag)
• Small waterproof “dry bag”:  Good for camera, binoculars, etc. Ideal for the canoe trip (optional)
• Backpack rain cover (optional)
• Backpack travel sack - to use when transporting your pack (optional)
• 3-5 stuff sacks - to organize your clothing and gear in your pack (optional)

• Compact sleeping bag and pillow (**Keep in mind: You will need your sleeping bag in both first semester when it can be cold, and second semester when it will likely be quite warm)
• Self inflating mattress (you won’t need it that often, however there will be times that you will be sleeping on the floor or in a tent and you will be glad you had it)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• Skin lotion
• Lip balm (with sun block)
• Soap and shampoo
• Deodorant
• Towel:  “camp towels” which dry quickly and pack well are ideal but not required
• Prescription medication:  If necessary (please advise the office before Aug. 1st)
• Sun block (SPF 30 or higher)
• Sunglasses
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Watch:  Water-resistant
• Water bottle (at least 1 litre)
• Camera
• Flashlight (head lamp is recommended)
• Alarm clock
• Anti-foot odour powder (if you need it)

Additional items:
Only 1 extra item/person.

We will do our best to arrange for transportation of musical instruments but due to limited space we cannot guarantee that there will be room for sports equipment. There may be an extra cost to transport bikes.

• Musical instrument (e.g. guitar or hand drum)
• Skis/Snowboard
• Mountain bike

• Pens, pencils
• Notebooks (you will likely need several each semester)
• Bible
• Small first aid kit (band aids, Gravol, aspirin, cold medicine, Pepto Bismol, vitamins, cortisone cream, and Imodium)
• ATM card
• Credit cards (optional)
• Copies of your passport (2)
• Fitted sheet for single bed (optional)
• Laundry detergent (students are required to do their own laundry – usually in coin operated machines)

Second Semester (All Sites)

You are limited to one bag of no more than 50lbs and one carry-on per person (we will be firm on this!)

• Socks:  100% cotton is good, but wool socks and/or quick drying hiking socks are also good options
• 1 pair of running shoes
• 1 pair of light weight hiking boots/shoes (inexpensive but comfortable will suffice)
• 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (strap-up sandals are more practical)

• Jeans
• 1-2 pairs of washable casual cotton pants and/or skirts
• 2-3 pairs of shorts (knee-length). Board shorts are usually good: they’re lightweight and you can swim in them.
• Sportswear
• Sweaters and/or sweatshirts
• Long sleeved cotton shirts
• T-shirts
• Sun hat
• Adequate # of underwear (for 2 weeks)
• Rain gear (water proof jacket – required; pants – optional)
• Pajamas
• 1-2 bathing suits: Women, no bikinis, only tankinis or one piece suits; guys, no Speedos
• At least one dressy outfit (collared shirt, cotton pants (guys), long skirt (girls)
• Work clothes and work gloves for service days (in Guatemala, girls will need 1-2 ankle length skirts for a few work projects)
• Toque (when you're hiking mountains or volcanoes you'll be glad you brought it!)

• Sleeping bag (compact) and pillow
• Self inflating mattress (Guatemala only)

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• Skin lotion
• Lip balm (with sun block)
• Soap and shampoo
• Deodorant
• Towel:  “camp towels” which dry quickly and pack well are ideal but not required
• Prescription medication:  If necessary (please advise the office of this before the beginning of the semester)
• Sun block (SPF 30 or higher)
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Watch:  Water-resistant
• Water bottle (at least 1 litre)
• Camera
• Flashlight (head lamp is recommended)
• Alarm clock
• Anti-foot odour powder (if you need it)

Note: It is sometimes hard to find the same brands of personal items such as toiletries in Guatemala and South Africa that you would find in Canada. If it is important to you to have a specific brand, stock up before you leave.

Other items to bring

• Pens, pencils
• Notebooks (you will likely need several each semester)
• Bible
• Small first aid kit (band aids, Gravol, aspirin, cold medicine, Pepto Bismol, vitamins, cortisone cream, and Imodium)
• Money belt
• ATM card
• Credit cards (optional)
• Traveler’s checks (optional)
• Passport & 2 photocopies
• Small gift(s) for your host family (chocolates, calendars of your home community, pictures of yourself and your family, crayons/coloring books for children, puzzles, basic games, anything with a Canadian flag on it, etc.)

• Day pack (your “carry-on” piece)
• Backpack:  At least 65 litres
• Small waterproof “dry bag”:  Good for camera, binoculars, etc. (optional)
• Backpack rain cover (optional)
• Backpack travel sack - to use when transporting your pack (optional)
• 3-5 stuff sacks - to organize your clothing and gear in your pack (optional)