Alpengirl Teen Summer Adventure Camp for Girls
Packing Your Gear for Montana Mini Summer Adventure Camp
By packing the multi-functional gear and clothing worn in layers on this packing list, you'll be comfortable in any situation or weather encountered.
The items you bring will be used throughout the adventure and they will get dirty; avoid bringing special items you don't want damaged. On our 2-week or longer trips, we will be doing laundry.
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 is also difficult to dry. Cotton t-shirts and underwear are fine, heavy cotton clothes are not allowed.
Do not bring more than what is on this list; space in your backpack and in our camp vehicle is limited. Always opt for smaller, lighter weight gear and clothing.
Essential clothing and gear will be inspected upon arrival as a safety precaution; you are the only person allowed to use the gear you bring.
Label all of your gear including sleeping pad, headlamps, socks, etc; you are responsible for keeping track of your personal gear.
Alpengirl is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged gear or personal belongings.
Campers and staff engaged in horseback riding, rock climbing and/or whitewater rafting with Alpengirl are required to wear activity specific helmets provided.
Each camper will arrive to camp with a small school size backpack packed with small travel essentials, & a big backpacking backpack (or large soft-sided duffel if you are renting) packed with everything else.
When you pack your backpack for camp, don't waste empty space. First, put your sleeping bag in your compression sack and squeeze it down to a small ball with the compression straps, then shove it in the very bottom of your pack (or outside on the very bottom if your pack is designed that way). Then, make a fist and cram every nook from bottom to top with something, no need to fold. Most of you will need to strap your sleeping pad to the outside of your pack and secure it so it doesn't get disconnected from your bag during travel.
No worries, campers don't go backpacking with all of the gear they bring to camp. Campers will carry a limited and select number of items (sleeping bag, pad, essential clothing, and a portion of tent and food) during the backpacking portion of the itinerary. All extra gear is left behind in the locked camp vehicle during backpacking.
If traveling by plane to camp, ask to have your checked backpack bagged after inspection 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.
If you are unsure about anything on the packing list, please call for clarification. Inadequate 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.
Our "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.
BIG BACKPACK LIST...
Select a 3000-4000 cubic inch external or internal frame backpack with adjustable shoulder straps, chest strap and padded hip belt that fits snug on hips and stuff the following items inside:
___ Sleeping bag (synthetic preferred, NO Cotton, rated 20-40 degrees F).
___ Compression stuff sack with straps to minimize the size of your sleeping bag.
___ Sleeping pad (open or closed cell foam or self-inflating) for insulation from the ground and comfort.
___ Camp pillow (Optional.) A small non-inflatable camp pillow purchased from an outdoor store is allowed (not a regular bed pillow.) However, we encourage you not to bring a camp pillow, Alpengirls will learn to make a pillow from their gear on the gear list, we'll show you how, but, if it makes you feel a bit more cozy, you are welcome to bring one.
___ River shoes with straps, Teva style is good, No flip flops or Crocs. Or old sneakers, used for getting wet and for all activities except for backpacking/hiking/riding.
___ Lightweight hiking boots. Above ankle - no exceptions. 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. These should be worn-in before you arrive.
___ 4 pairs medium weight wool blend trail-hiking socks. No cotton socks. Add an additional 2 pairs of synthetic, non-cotton liner socks if you like to layer your socks for blister prevention.
___ 8 pair underwear.
___ 1 warm thick synthetic fleece pant.
___ 2 loose fitting shorts.
___ 1 non-cotton pant (no jeans). Quick-dry zip-off to shorts style pants work great.
___ 1 mid-weight long underwear bottom (base layer, NO cotton.)
___ 1 swim suit.
___ 1 waterproof rain pant (very important outer layer for warmth.)
___ 4 T-shirts in addition to the Alpengirl T-shirt you'll wear to camp (ideally synthetic, but, can be cotton.)
___ 1 mid-weight long underwear top (base layer, NO cotton.)
___ PJ's (Optional.) One set of non-bulky PJ's is allowed, however, we encourage you not to bring PJ's. At the start of camp, Alpengirls will select a "sleeping outfit" from their gear list and learn to keep it clean, we'll show you how, but, if it makes you feel a bit more cozy, you are welcome to bring PJ's.
___ 3 sport bras.
___ 1 warm thick synthetic fleece jacket.
___ 1 waterproof hooded rain jacket (the most essential outer layer for warmth.)
___ 1 brimmed hat for sun protection (baseball caps work fine.)
___ 1 beanie style warm hat for cold nights and mornings (merino wool blend or synthetic fleece, NO cotton.)
___ 1 light or mid-weight hand liners for cold nights and mornings (NO cotton.)
___ 1 medium sized pack towel (synthetic, NO cotton, find at an outdoor store.)
___ Crazy Creek style of camp chair (optional.)
SMALLER DAY PACK LIST...
Select a school-sized day-pack backpack with shoulder straps (used daily during travel and during camp) and pack the following items in it:
___ Mess Kit: a mesh ditty bag that (to fit your mess kit in), 12 oz. insulated travel mug with lid (for backpacking meals and hot drinks), unbreakable medium sized plate and bowl (a Tupperware bowl with fitted lid used as a plate works well), utensil set (made for camping style work best, but any will do.)
___ Water purification drops or tablets used for treating water that we don't get from the tap. Aquamira Water Purification Drops (stabilized chlorine dioxide, contains no active chlorine or iodine, no bad taste, costs more than Potable Aqua) -OR- Potable Aqua with PA+ neutralizer (iodine tablets with an additional neutralizer tablet that takes away the bad taste, less expensive than Aquamira.)
___ 1-2 travel size waterless hand sanitizers.
___ 1-2 travel size Wet Wipes.
___ Personal Toiletry Kit (include only travel size items): 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.
___ 4 large Ziploc bags used for personal garbage and protecting things in case of rain.
___ 2 heavy-duty yard-waste garbage bags used for lining backpacks in case of rain.
___ 1 bandana.
___ 1 small headlamp (or lightweight flashlight) with extra batteries.
___ 1 whistle on a string (worn around the neck during camp.)
___ 1 pair sunglasses.
___ 1 32 oz. BPA-free Nalgene wide-mouth loop-top water bottle with screw on lid used daily at camp.
___ Eyeglasses or contacts if needed with solution.
___ 1 small travel sized notebook and pencil (Optional.)
___ 1 reading book (Optional.)
___ 1 small pocket-knife (Optional. Pack in checked bag if traveling to camp by plane.)
___ Music CD's or ipod with adapter for van. (Optional.)
___ Camera with protective case, extra batteries, memory cards, or film. (Optional.)
Ziploc #1 (labeled with camper initials) includes:
___ Printed airline tickets/confirmations and optional photo ID.
___ RECEIPTS provided to you by your airline when you pay for baggage fees and unaccompanied minor tickets round-trip. IMPORTANT, a paid in-full receipt (or a parent note if the airline can not provide a receipt) indicating that you have already paid for baggage fees and unaccompanied minor tickets round-trip in advance will reduce the possibility of being charged again upon camper departure home. If you are unable to pay round-trip for baggage fees or unaccompanied minor tickets in advance, you must add a parent note indicating this and supply cash for these fees for your campers return flight home.
___ CASH for airline baggage fee and unaccompanied minor ticket on return flight if you are unable to pay round-trip in advance. (Read Alpengirl camp travel information for more details.)
___ Printed camp travel information from Alpengirl website.
___ Activity waivers signed by parents provided to you by Alpengirl for contracted service providers (REQUIRED for activity participation.)
___ Pre-written camp letters that can be distributed during camp (optional and only a few with family photos to share is great fun for all). Care packages are not encouraged due to wilderness nature of our adventures together. Birthdays at camp are a highly celebrated occasion; please call Alpengirl for gift suggestions that are easy for us to manage at camp.
___ $20 for a replacement Alpengirl arrival t-shirt if you lose your before camp.
___ Alpengirl Camp Store money (optional). Sessions in Montana and Washington have Alpengirl novelties available for sale. In Alaska, Norway and Hawaii this is not possible.
___ $25-$100 spending money to be spent on replacing lost, damaged, inadequate or expired personal items or gear such as film, chap stick, contact solution, etc. Money that campers don't spend on replacement items will be happily spent on treats and souvenir shopping at the end of camp. Girls are responsible for keeping track of their own spending money, Alpenguides will hold the money for girls if necessary to avoid it getting misplaced, however, we will not be held liable for lost or stolen personal gear or money.
___ 60 minute calling card with parent's numbers and Alpengirl numbers. Even if you are bringing a cell phone, a calling card is a good back-up in case your cell phone battery loses charge or service is poor or unavailable on the scheduled day that campers make calls home (the day before camp ends.)
Ziploc #2 (labeled with camper initials) includes:
___ Medications. "Medication" is any substance a person takes to maintain and/or improve their health. This includes vitamins and natural remedies. Bring enough medication to last the entire time at camp. Medication brought to camp must be in original pharmacy containers with labels that show the campers name and how the medication should be given. If you are or think you may be severely allergic to bee/wasp stings or foods or plants that would require immediate 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 camper with the prescription, the other will be kept in the possession of our camp staff.
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
