Following are recommendations that Family Campers have made over the years. Some repeat the mandatory items on the “Short List” while others are optional depending on your comfort and convenience.
The Long List…
Travel:
- Proof Of Citizenship: Passport or Original Duplicate Copy of Birth Certificate
- Identification (including photo): Driver's License, school ID, etc.
- Airline Tickets and other travel information.
- Based on standard airline regulations: You should not have more than 2 check-in bags and 1 carry-on item per person. Total weight per bag should be less than 50 lb (some airlines allow 3 bags and weight up to 75 lbs, but that is much to carry).
Camping Gear:
- Family Tent
- Long metal stakes (~18") to handle the strong winds and sandy loose soil.
- Plastic ground cloth larger than tent (or multiple ones) extending in front of tent to keep the dirt out.
- Miniature broom and dustpan for cleaning out your tent.
- Note: a 3-man tent really does not sleep 2 or 3 adults comfortably for 1 week with all your gear. We suggest double the number (e.g., a 5 or 6-man tent for 2 adults and a child). Also being able to stand up in your tent to change clothes becomes a nice feature after a few days. A screened front-porch area is another nice to have feature to put your camp chairs and dirty boots, but yet keep them dry from the night dew that can be heavy - it keeps the tent cleaner as well.
- Flashlight (one that can stand on its own is helpful in the tents or a camp lantern) and extra batteries. One option is a head lamp.
- Foam or air mattress (automated air pump will be available in camp).
- Sleeping bag and pillow.
- Personal first aid kit and medicine (like Tylenol, Neosporin, band aids, scissors and antacid).
- Metal chairs are provided for meals, worship, teaching and prayer times. However, it is nice to have a comfortable small foldable camp chair for in front of your tent and to use for camp gatherings.
- At least 1 large garbage bag.
Personal Hygiene:
- Shower and cleaning items
- 5 gallon solar shower bag
- Bag to carry shower items
- Bathing towels
- Washcloths and/or scrubber
- Body wash instead of soap (use sparingly when showering)
- Shampoo & conditioner (use sparingly when showering)
- Sandals and a small rubber mat for the shower area that has a gravel floor
- Swimsuit for showers (mandatory)
- Wet wipes (large ones for cool days when you may not want to take a full shower and small ones for the worksite, bus, etc.)
- Instant hand sanitizer
- Lotion for Dry Skin
- Shaver (ideally an electric razor that does not need a charge for the week).
- Hair brush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, antiperspirant, baby powder with cornstarch and other personal hygiene items.
Clothing:
- Wear modest clothing to fit into and respect the Mexican culture.
- Comfortable work clothes (light color to reflect the sun and ones you would not mind getting cement on).
- Take more clean shirts than clean pants.
- 2 pairs of shoes (a pair of sturdy work boots are recommended for worksite).
- Modest shorts (to be worn at camp only).
- Modest jeans & t-shirts for worksite (no tank or other sleeveless tops).
- Warm clothes for the cold evenings (e.g., a windbreaker jacket AND a sweat shirt for evenings in the 40 degree region).
- Hat and/or bandanas
Other Items:
- Bible
- 1-LB Bag of Rice & Beans per Family to be given to Mexican Families
- No make-up or jewelry (wedding rings are okay) to better fit into the culture.
- Contacts are not recommended at the work sites due to blowing sand, etc.
- Duffle or similar bags for your gear, ideally with rollers, since you should be prepared to have your family carry or roll your gear at least 50 yards in one trip through the Mexican border checkpoint. Ensure your name and phone numbers are on the outside and somewhere on the inside of each bag. Adding a distinguishing color tag or item to the outside of a bag to help you find it amongst all the others. Black bags especially are very common.
- Fanny pack to carry your ID, money, valuables, medication, etc. with you at all times so they are not lost or stolen.
- Spare glasses
- Sunglasses
- High SPF sun screen for lips, face & body. Apply in the morning and after lunch.
- 2 Personal drinking containers (water bottles with wide mouth for ice cubes and adding powdered Gatorade). Consider a 1.5L Camelbak or the like.
- Paper and Pen
- Disposable cameras – write your name on them.
- Kleenex or handkerchiefs.
- Large ziploc bags are very helpful for items that may spill in your luggage.
- Play items for the kids (e.g., cards, Frisbees, soccer balls).
- Money: Not much needed, except for your personal expenses in San Diego. You may want some One Dollar Bills for use at local convenience stores.
- There are usually few flying insects in this climate, so you will not need insect repellant for your body. The camp perimeter will be sprinkled with repellant for insects and animals.
Tools:(Note:Do not attempt to bring tools in your carry-on luggage on the airplane)
- Pack tools in a small duffel, backpack or other bag for use at jobsite.
- Tool belts or cloth nail pouch.
- Hammer with claw
- Gloves for handling rough lumber, hammers, shovels, etc.
- 25' tape measure.
- Utility knife.
- Wire cutter and/or tin snips to cut the chicken and bailing wire.
- Small nail puller or cats claw.
- Carpenter's pencil.
- Small square: combo, tri, or carpenter's (1 per family).
- Sharp small (short shank) hand saw (1 per family).
- Chalk line (optional).
- Multipurpose tool (e.g., with knife, scissors, wire cutter, pliers) is nice to have.
- No power tools allowed.
Many people leave some of these items above behind for future campers or for the Mexican people.
Remember: Tools, knives, etc. should be in checked luggage – not on your person or in your carry-on luggage. See Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Prohibited Items.