Alpengirl Summer Teen Adventure Camps for Girls
Hawaii Adventure Camp Packing List
This is a list of equipment you are required to bring with you for your adventure in Hawaii. You will be quite comfortable in any situation if you bring all of the gear on this list. Do not bring other items, we are limited on space, items may get lost, and extra items are heavy to carry. We will be doing laundry while on the trip. Please label all of your gear with your name; we are not responsible for lost or damaged clothing or gear. Generally the temperatures during the day in the Kona area are around 80 degrees, the higher we go and the more towards the opposite side of the island we go, the cooler and rainier it may get. The weather changes dramatically depending on where we are during our adventures here, so we must be prepared for all conditions, from sunny beaches to rainy rainforests and volcano tops! As in all mountainous environments, weather may be variable and unpredictable. A range of clothing for various conditions is needed for the unpredictable conditions. By having a variety of layers of clothing you can adjust your layers to suit your activity level and weather conditions. Please limit cotton. It is comfortable and breathable, but it absorbs and retains water. Therefore, it will not keep you very warm if it gets wet. It can also be difficult to dry. Cotton t-shirts and underwear are fine, heavy cotton clothes are not allowed. All personal gear will be inspected upon arrival as a safety precaution; you are the only person allowed to use the gear you bring. You are responsible for storing all of your personal gear. Alpengirl not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged gear or personal belongings.
Gear Buying Information:
Our web site "Links" page provides web links to our favorite affordable gear stores online. Call Alpengirl if you need to borrow gear or rent gear. Gear should not be cost prohibitive. If you are having a difficult time finding gear in your area for a good price, we suggest purchasing wool and rain gear from second hand stores or Army/Navy stores, borrowing from friends, and if Alpengirl has what you need you may borrow it (first come first served). Alpengirl rental of a frame backpack is $50; rental of a sleeping pad with sleeping bag is $75.
Boots
Footwear is the most important piece of outdoor gear you'll buy.
1. Determine your needs. At Alpengirl the girls will carry approx. 30% of their body weight over mountainous terrain for 4-9 miles per day for usually 3-5 days.
2. Choose a light hiking boot with ankle support in your price range. A heavy-duty backpacking boot may be too much boot for Alpengirl while a trail shoe will be too little boot with not enough support.
3. Try some on with hiking socks. The perfectly fit boot should grasp your heel snugly, lightly hug your feet and leave room for your toes to wiggle. Try walking up and down steep slopes to test the fit. Wear them in before you arrive, your feet will thank you.
Backpacks
1. Determine your needs. At Alpengirl the girls will carry a select list of personal gear plus some group gear during the backpacking portion of their session. The capacity need for a 3-5 day backpacking trip is 3000-4000 cubic inches. Girls will carry approx. 30% of their body weight.
2. Choose a pack that fits. Start by loading the pack with weight, loosen all straps and tighten all once the bag is on your back. The hip belt should be snug just above your hip bones. The hip strap is most important; it holds most of the weight of the bag so it's not pulling down so hard on your shoulders. Internal or external frames are fine. Make sure shoulder straps are adjustable too. If you are borrowing, please make sure all the straps are working and that the bag can be adjusted enough to fit snug on your hips and shoulders.
3. If you rent a backpack, pack all gear in a duffel bag, hard sided suitcases are not allowed.
Sleeping Bags
1. Determine your needs. At Alpengirl, we will be sleeping in 2-4 man tents for 14 days in the mountains with overnight temperatures that can reach 35 F. We suggest a 20 or 40 degree bag with synthetic fill. You will also need to have a compression bag for it, this will allow the bag to fit into the backpack easily.
2. No cotton bags are allowed at Alpengirl.
If you are unsure about anything on the packing list, please call for clarification. Inadequate or damaged gear and clothing upon arrival may require last minute borrowing or renting from Alpengirl or replacement at a local outdoor store using your credit card information via the telephone.
IN YOUR BIG BACKPACK ...
___ External or internal frame backpack with adjustable shoulder straps, chest strap and padded hip belt that fits snug on hips. 3000-4000 cubic inches. Inside and/or attached to your frame backpack pack the following items (or, if renting/borrowing a frame backpack from Alpengirl, bring a very large sturdy soft-sided duffel bag that can fit all of the following items inside):
Gear:
___ Open or closed cell foam or self-inflating sleeping pad. To provide insulation from the ground and comfort.
___ Sleeping bag (synthetic or down and rated 40 degrees F) with a compression stuff sack for minimizing the space that your sleeping bag takes up in your backpack. Do not bring cotton fill bags (the type with outer cotton shells).
Feet:
___ 1 pair of river shoes with straps, Teva style is good. You may also bring an additional pair of flip flops for the beach.
___ 1 pair of lightweight hiking boots. Above ankle - no exceptions. It is a requirement to wear your sturdy hiking boots with a bit of a heel for horseback riding.
___ 4 pairs of light synthetic / polypropylene liner socks with 4 pairs of medium weight wool socks. Socks should be any material but cotton. OR, 4 good, non-cotton blend, cushy hiking socks.
Lower body:
___ Underwear as needed.
___ 2 pair loose fitting shorts.
___ 1 pair non-cotton pant. The quick-dry zip-off to shorts style pants would be a good choice. It is a requirement to wear long pants for horse riding.
___ 1 light non-cotton polypropylene long underwear bottoms.
___ 1 or 2 swim suits.
___ 1 pair rain pants, good ones, it's important for warmth.
Upper body:
___ 4 t-shirts (plus you'll be wearing your Alpengirl t-shirt on arrival, so you'll really have 5 t-shirts with you at camp).
___ 1 warm non-cotton polypropylene long underwear top.
___ 3 or 4 sport bras.
___ 1 wool sweater or warm synthetic fleece jacket.
___ 1 rain jacket, make sure this is a good one, it's important for warmth.
Head:
___ 1 brimmed hat for sun and rain protection.
___ Polypropylene hat or wool stocking hat for cold nights and mornings.
* We provide helmets for some activities. You are required to wear helmets for horseback riding.
Miscellaneous:
___ 1 thin non-cotton hand liners. For cold nights and mornings.
___ 1 small or medium camp towel - not cotton, find at an outdoor store. Plus a beach towel.
___ Crazy creek chair (Optional)
* If flying, ask to have your frame backpack bagged in a heavy-duty clear plastic bag available at the check-in counter. This is especially important if you have attached gear to the outside of the backpack. Don't forget to label your attached gear too, just in case the gear becomes separated from the backpack during flight or bag handling.
IN YOUR LITTLE BACKPACK ...
___ Day size backpack (schoolbook type backpack with shoulder straps for day hikes and activities to fit lunches, rain gear and cameras in). Inside your smaller day size backpack pack the following items:
Miscellaneous:
___ 1 unbreakable travel mug with lid
___ 1 unbreakable medium sized Tupperware bowl with fitted lid
___ 1 unbreakable spoon, fork, and knife
___ 1 mesh ditty bag for storing and drying dishes
___ 1 whistle on a string
___ 1-2 small waterless hand sanitizers
___ 1-2 travel sized Wet Wipes packages
___ 4 Ziploc bags - large
___ 4 heavy-duty garbage bags
___ 1 bandana
___ 1 small lightweight flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
___ 1 toilet kit - just the essentials and in travel size packages only- toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, sunscreen (minimum SPF 30), chap stick, insect repellent (no spray cans and we suggest DEET products for short term use at camp), tampons and/or pads (required, a few just in case), deodorant, small shampoo/conditioner and small bottle bio-degradable soap.
___ 1 pair sunglasses
___ 1 32 oz. Nalgene water bottle with screw on lid (attached to outside of small backpack with carabineer or better yet, in hand upon arrival!)
___ Eyeglasses or contacts if needed with solution
___ 1 small travel sized notebook and pencil (Optional)
___ 1 reading book (Optional)
___ 1 small pocket knife (Optional)
___ Music CD's or ipod with vehicle adapter for van. (Optional)
___ Camera with protective case, extra batteries, image cards, or film. (Optional)
Money and Forms: these should be easily accessible to your daughter during travel. We would like you to pack these items in 3 large Ziploc bags labeled in permanent marker with your daughters name on them. This will make it easy for our arrival collection and departure distribution of important items.
Ziploc #1:
___ Printed flight/travel information and tickets with optional ID.
___ Required signed waivers provided to you by Alpengirl for contracted service providers
___ Pre-written camp mail to be passed out during camp to daughters. Care packages that include photos without food or candy and gifts for the group are always appreciated. (Optional)
___ Cash for return Unaccompanied Minor Flight Ticket if selected or required. See Travel Information page for details in confirmation packet.
___ $20 for a replacement Alpengirl arrival t-shirt if necessary.
___ Alpengirl Camp Store Cash/Check if desired. Most sessions have a few Alpengirl novelties available for sale.
Ziploc #2:
___ Spending Money. We suggest $25-$75 for a two-week session. Girls are responsible for keeping their cash throughout the trip. Cash will be spent only on replacing lost, damaged, inadequate or expired personal items or gear, and on souvenirs and treats near the end of the session.
___ 100 minute calling card with parent's numbers and Alpengirl numbers.
Ziploc #3:
___ Prescription medications, non-prescription or over-the-counter drugs that may/will be administered during camp. Medications and drugs (including Advil, Midol, vitamins, etc.) must to be in the prescription original bottle or the over-the-counter original bottle with directions for dispensing on them and must be listed on your Alpengirl Health Form with dispensing directions that match the bottle. If your doctor has recommended dosages or situations that suggest something different than what is stated on the bottle, a specific doctors note on the Alpengirl Health Form is required for administering during camp. If you are or think you may be severely allergic to bee or wasp stings or foods/plants and require medication, you are required to bring your own self-injecting epi-pen. As a safety precaution, all medications (including aspirin) are collected at the start of the trip and administered as required or needed. Note for those bringing inhalers: two inhalers are required, one can be kept in the possession the participant with the prescription, the other will be kept in the possession of the Alpenguides.
Don't Bring:
Personal music players (you may use during your travel to and from camp, but they will be held during camp for you)
Cell phones (you may use during your travel to and from camp, but they will be held during camp for you)
Valuable items that may get lost, stolen or damaged (Alpengirl can not be held liable for loss, theft or damage of any items you bring to camp)
Magazines and food, drinks, gum, candy, breath mints (you may use during your travel to and from camp, but they will be held during camp for you)
Medications or vitamins of any kind that are not listed on your Alpengirl Health Form
More than what is on this list
