Packing For Five Weeks

[the171]

As you know, I'm staffing a camp this summer. I will be able to do my laundry. I will need nice clothes for mass, clothes I can move in, and a few in between outfits. So how do I pack? Tips, advice, instructions?

[4588686]

As you know, I'm staffing a camp this summer. I will be able to do my laundry. I will need nice clothes for mass, clothes I can move in, and a few in between outfits. So how do I pack? Tips, advice, instructions?

How much room do you have?  How are you getting there?

[the171]

How much room do you have?  How are you getting there?

 

I am planning on packing super light, because I don't want to buy too many new clothes. (I already have to do that) I am getting there by plane.

[GeorgiiMichael]

Bare minimum. When I worked at a camp, I made sure I had 1 shirt for every day of the week, plus 2-3 extras (you never know when rain will hit and you'll need to change. I'd have twice the amount of underwear (including socks) than I'd probably need, two per day. A precaution that I never needed fully, but sweat can be your worst enemy when working at camp. There were days when I'd change socks half-way through. Shorts/pants I'd usually stretch out, 3-4 pairs in total, because they can be worn for a few days in a row without too much problem. A solid pair of boots with a backup pair of shoes (usually sneakers) in case of rain-soaking. I'd also have a few sets of "civvies" for nights and days off including nicer shoes. Not necessarily nice clothes, but not "camp clothes". 

 

Then the regular toiletries, 2-3 towels, a swimsuit or two (depending on my job, there were some summers I worked at the waterfront), various things specific to the living arrangements at my camp. Also, Gold Bond. Never go to camp without it.

 

Hope this helps. Remember, I did work at a Boy Scout camp, where a specific uniform was required, and part of that uniform was tough scout pants. Not all pants can feasibly be worn for more than a day at camp.

[the171]

Bare minimum. When I worked at a camp, I made sure I had 1 shirt for every day of the week, plus 2-3 extras (you never know when rain will hit and you'll need to change. I'd have twice the amount of underwear (including socks) than I'd probably need, two per day. A precaution that I never needed fully, but sweat can be your worst enemy when working at camp. There were days when I'd change socks half-way through. Shorts/pantaloons I'd usually stretch out, 3-4 pairs in total, because they can be worn for a few days in a row without too much problem. A solid pair of boots with a backup pair of shoes (usually sneakers) in case of rain-soaking. I'd also have a few sets of "civvies" for nights and days off including nicer shoes. Not necessarily nice clothes, but not "camp clothes". 

 

Then the regular toiletries, 2-3 towels, a swimsuit or two (depending on my job, there were some summers I worked at the waterfront), various things specific to the living arrangements at my camp. Also, Gold Bond. Never go to camp without it.

 

Hope this helps. Remember, I did work at a Boy Scout camp, where a specific uniform was required, and part of that uniform was tough scout pantaloons. Not all pantaloons can feasibly be worn for more than a day at camp.

 

This helps a whole lot. Thankfully, I don't have to pack towels or bedding. The sisters are providing it for me. Yay!

[Nihil Obstat]

You will want at least two knives- one fixed blade and one folder, but ideally three. One small fixed blade and one large, for chopping. The smaller fixed blade would be ideal as a scandinavian grind. Mora knives are perfect for this. You want the chopper to be thick so that you do not have to worry about whatever you have to throw at it. Make sure you can clean the folder if it gets dirty. If any of your knives are carbon steel, make sure you have some way to protect the steel and touch it up it if it starts taking on rust.

 

Always Pack Your Supporting Characters:

Never go into the woods at night to investigate those strange noises, unless you are accompanied at the minimum by your plucky comic relief, and the token minority. The token minority gets killed first, so he is your first warning, and if the plucky comic relief dies, you know that you are next, so he is your final warning. But never, never end up in a group with the young good looking charismatic couple, because if they are present, you will probably die before the plucky comic relief. The young attractive charismatic couple is inherently immortal; they will always live. No matter how well prepared you are, you cannot outlast them.

 

Edited to add: If the token minority is your plucky comic relief, then you will need another supporting character to get killed first, because plucky comic relief trumps token minority. In this case the stopgap should probably be the casually racist country boy. He will usually die first, although if he turns out to be the "heart of gold" archetype, then he may have a hero momentâ„¢ and, in fact, outlast you. This will be accompanied by a heartfelt reconciliation with the plucky token minority comic relief, just before the same is killed.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Nihil Obstat

[PhuturePriest]

You will want at least two knives- one fixed blade and one folder, but ideally three. One small fixed blade and one large, for chopping. The smaller fixed blade would be ideal as a scandinavian grind. Mora knives are perfect for this. You want the chopper to be thick so that you do not have to worry about whatever you have to throw at it. Make sure you can clean the folder if it gets dirty. If any of your knives are carbon steel, make sure you have some way to protect the steel and touch it up it if it starts taking on rust.

 

Always Pack Your Supporting Characters:

Never go into the woods at night to investigate those strange noises, unless you are accompanied at the minimum by your plucky comic relief, and the token minority. The token minority gets killed first, so he is your first warning, and if the plucky comic relief dies, you know that you are next, so he is your final warning. But never, never end up in a group with the young good looking charismatic couple, because if they are present, you will probably die before the plucky comic relief. The young attractive charismatic couple is inherently immortal; they will always live. No matter how well prepared you are, you cannot outlast them.

 

Edited to add: If the token minority is your plucky comic relief, then you will need another supporting character to get killed first, because plucky comic relief trumps token minority. In this case the stopgap should probably be the casually racist country boy. He will usually die first, although if he turns out to be the "heart of gold" archetype, then he may have a hero momentâ„¢ and, in fact, outlast you. This will be accompanied by a heartfelt reconciliation with the plucky token minority comic relief, just before the same is killed.

 

On the first line I was literally afraid that you were serious. Then I read on and realized you were being you.

[Nihil Obstat]

On the first line I was literally afraid that you were serious. Then I read on and realized you were being you.

This one counts as plucky comic relief.

 

(That said, the stuff about knives is true, if you were in a situation where you might want outdoor knives. And all the rest is true if you are in an American horror movie.)

[Spem in alium]

Some good advice there. When I was packing for my four-month trip last year, I basically took a week's worth of outfits. I knew I'd be able to wash my clothes regularly enough. Make sure your clothes fit the general climate and area of where you're going. Pack things that don't necessarily need ironing, that dry easily, and that are useful in rougher conditions too, seeing as you'll be on a camp. 
It can be tempting to take your whole wardrobe with you (I almost did that, actually), but that's pretty ridiculous, so it's good that you're set on packing light. Means less time and energy spent on hauling your stuff around.

Edit: Are you taking a suitcase with all your things? If so, make sure you pack your stuff tightly and well. 

Edited April 12, 2013 by Spem in alium

[the171]

I have shoes planned out: my hiking boots and running shoes packed. I'll travel in my Chacos. Yayyyy

[the171]

I just need to buy two or three jersey skirts for weekend wear. (I already have one) I think I have enough mass clothes. I'll bring two dresses and four cardigans. I have shorts, t-shirts, maybe get a few button-downs and capris from Old Navy. I think I'll be set.

[Nihil Obstat]

I have shoes planned out: my hiking boots and running shoes packed. I'll travel in my Chacos. Yayyyy

Remember that, in a horror movie, things will always fail when the stakes are at their highest. If you need to get your shoes on quickly, your fingers will slip trying to tie your hiking boots. If you are running through the dark forest, pursued by a serial killer in a mask, your sandals will break. Running shoes are the best all-around horror movie footwear, but the laces will always be the biggest liability. Either struggling to tie them, or having them come undone while you escape. Make sure to double-knot and tuck, but if you are struggling to tie them, simply tuck and run, then as soon as you have a chance to hide, take that opportunity to tie a proper knot.

[the171]

I've never staffed a camp (retreats and conferences, but they aren't like camps) and I've never been away from home this long. This is exciting!!

[Nihil Obstat]

I've never staffed a camp (retreats and conferences, but they aren't like camps) and I've never been away from home this long. This is exciting!!

If you are calling home to talk to your parents, and the line suddenly goes dead, or a sudden burst of static drowns out something important, make sure to check behind you ASAP. If the coast is clear, grab the nearest object that might be utilized as a weapon. Baseball bat is better than nothing, but it is more for show. On the other hand, a kitchen knife is very poor for self defense. A fire extinguisher makes an excellent improvised weapon because of its option for a medium range disorienting blast, or a very effective close range bludgeon. 

[EmilyAnn]

Rather than fold your clothes, to save space roll them up. Sounds weird, but it works.