THINGS TO BRING TO CAMP

VERY IMPORTANT!! VERY IMPORTANT!! Your personal identification document. Either a Passport OR Passport Card. (See Travel page for more details)

Pack lightly due to space limitations in the dorm rooms. No more than one suitcase, one hanging bag and one carry-on size bag per person—less, if possible. We can do some laundry during the week, so don’t overpack.

Beds, mattresses and quilts are provided in air-conditioned rooms. You’ll need to bring either a sleeping bag OR a set of sheets for twin bed.

Pillow and pillowcase—if you’re driving to camp. If you’re coming in by plane, there are some pillows at the camp you can use.

Toiletries, blow dryer. (Ladies may consider a cordless curling iron to save waiting for an outlet).

Towels and washcloths.

Bathing suit (not required, but we may use it for recreation or part of outreach). Think modest. Be sensitive and respectful to the Hispanic culture.

Sunscreen, hat, insect repellent

Work gloves.

Flashlight.

Alarm clock

Camera

Clothing. It’ll be 100 degrees during the day and we’ll be doing some physical work. Also, the Mexican culture is offended by immodest clothing. Key in on the concept of modest. So bring 2-3 jeans/slacks for work and certain ministry occasions. Short pants are OK for men and women at base camp and on some of our ministry trips, but they need to be at least mid-thigh length—no short-shorts. Shirts should have short or long sleeves (no tank tops) and cover all torso skin areas. A light sweatshirt in case we get some cool mornings or evenings.

You’ll be provided with three logo camp shirts when you arrive, so that will be three less shirts you need to pack. We’ll normally wear these shirts when we go across the border. We’ll launder them mid-week.

Comfortable closed-toe shoes. Tennis shoes are OK. Clogs and high heels are NOT recommended at all. Sandals and flip-flops only for inside the buildings at base camp.

Personal medication. ALL medications (prescription and non-prescription) will be collected and administered by camp nurse. (It’s not because we don’t trust you to handle your medication properly. It’s to prevent someone else from possibly being harmed by taking your medicine).

Phone calling cards or cell phones for your personal calls home. There is a phone on-site, but we need to use it as little as possible so the camp facility can conduct their other regular business. We are at camp to “get away” from our normal world (as much as possible), to immerse ourselves in the camp experience—so minimize your phone usage.

Spending money. For between meal snacks and souvenirs. We usually plan a shopping trip to a Mexican market.

Smiles and a willing, flexible, humble, serving attitude. A smile and a good attitude says “Jesus” more than any words.

Bible, pens, journal book. We’ll provide a camp workbook and other training materials.

Last but not at all least: Prayers. Pray for camp preparation in advance and bring lots of prayers with you. Prayers don’t take up any room to pack, you can never have too many, and it’s probably the most important thing you can bring!

THINGS NOT TO PACK

Alcohol

Illegal drugs

Tobacco products (prohibited for teens; discouraged for adults)

Immodest or otherwise improper clothing. NO slinky running shorts, low-cut or spaghetti strap shirts or dresses, halter tops, skimpy bathing suits, low-fitting pants that expose underwear. NO clothing with questionable pictures or words—be careful of even Christian T-shirts. Remember that many of the nationals don’t speak or read English, so they don’t know why you have a picture of Satan on the front of your shirt, even if you have Jesus on the back.

Body piercing jewelry. If you have body piercings (earrings are OK for girls only), please leave your body jewelry at home. Respect the culture you’ll be in. For instance, earrings on guys are considered a sign of rebellion, especially in village areas.

No radios, CD players, MP3’s, iPods, laptops, game systems, etc. You’re at camp to separate yourself from your normal influences for training and ministry work.

Fireworks, firearms or any other type of weapon.

Bad attitudes, complaining, whining.

“Ugly American” viewpoint. Respect the Hispanic/Mexican culture, their thinking and ways of doing things. Just because it may be “different” from where you come from doesn’t make it “bad.” Revel in the new culture and speak of it with respect.

Anything that might be potentially offensive to others or cause damage to the reputation of our ministry work. You are representing Jesus Christ on this trip and it’s our Savior’s reputation you are carrying!