Packing

Packing - Alpengirl Summer Camp Packing List & Gear Information

Download a printable 4-page packing list (pdf)

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.
When you pack your big 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 days of the itinerary. All extra gear is left behind in the locked camp vehicle during backpacking.
The only session offered at Alpengirl that does not include backpacking is the Montana Horse Camp, but, the horse camp girls still need a big backpack for storing gear, hauling gear around and packing it for the mules to carry during the multi-day horse pack trip.
If traveling by plane to camp, it’s a good idea to bring a large clear heavy duty plastic bag with you to the airport and ask to have your checked backpack bagged in the plastic bag after inspection. This is especially important if you have attached gear to the outside of the backpack. Or, alternatively, you could pack your big backpack in a large soft-sided duffel bag to protect your backpack and it’s contents.
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. The most important gear pieces are hooded rain jacket and worn in and comfortable hiking boots.
Gear should not be cost prohibitive. Please call Alpengirl if you need to borrow gear or rent gear. 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.

Alpengirl Packing List

The items on packing list below are divided into 2 bags, each camper (regardless of camp session) will arrive to camp with 1) A small school size backpack packed with small travel essentials, and 2) A big backpacking backpack packed with everything else (or large soft-sided duffel if you are renting or borrowing a big backpack from Alpengirl).

What to pack in your BIG backpack...

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). [In Hawaii sleeping bags can be summer weight bags rated to 50 F, a warmer bag will be fine, but you may need to stick a leg out.][In Alaska sleeping bags may only be synthetic, NO down or cotton.]

___ Compression stuff sack with straps to minimize the size of your sleeping bag.

___ Sleeping pad (open or closed 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. These are used almost daily during camp and are for getting wet and for all activities except backpacking/hiking/riding. Old sneakers will do the trick. [In Hawaii – in addition to the river shoe, a pair of flip flops are allowed for the beach activities.]

___ 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. [At Montana Horse Camp – in addition to the hiking boot above, you may bring a riding boot if you want to.]

___ 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.

___ 7 pair underwear.

___ 1 warm thick synthetic fleece pant. [In Hawaii – no fleece pants are necessary.]

___ 2 loose fitting shorts.

___ 1 non-cotton pant (no jeans). Quick-dry zip-off to shorts style pants work great. [At Montana Horse Camp – girls may bring 1 pair or jeans or riding specific pants for horse riding.]

___ 1 mid-weight long underwear bottom (base layer, NO cotton.) [In Hawaii – replace mid-weight with light-weight long underwear bottom (base layer, NO cotton.)]

___ 1 swim suit. [In Hawaii – a second swimsuit is allowed.]

___ 1 waterproof rain pant [In Alaska, Washington & Norway – due to the likelihood of rainy weather, this may be one of the most important gear items you’ll want to invest in, it’s very important for keeping warm and dry and happy at camp.]

___ 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.) [In Hawaii – replace mid-weight with light-weight 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.

___ 3-4 sport bras.

___ 1 warm thick synthetic fleece jacket.

___ 1 waterproof hooded rain jacket. [Alaska, Washington & Norway – due to the likelihood of rainy weather, this may be one of the most important gear items you’ll want to invest in, it’s very important for keeping warm and dry and happy at camp.]

___ 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.) [In Hawaii – no warm hat is necessary.]

___ 1 light or mid-weight hand liners for cold nights and mornings (NO cotton.) [In Hawaii – no hand liners are necessary.]

___ 1 medium sized pack towel (synthetic, NO cotton, find at an outdoor store.) [In Hawaii – in addition to the pack towel, you may bring a sarong for beach time, they dry quickly and are very functional in Hawaii. Please don’t bring a big cotton beach towel.]

What to pack in your LITTLE backpack...

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 100% DEET products for short term use at camp), tampons and/or pads (bring 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.) [At Montana Photojournalism – see Camera & Journal Bag list below.]

Ziploc #1 (labeled with camper name) includes:

___ Tickets for airline confirmation and travel and ID (optional.) [In Norway – a valid passport is required.]

___ For Washington Olympics Camp ONLY – For travel to Canada with Alpengirl, a valid passport or a copy of your birth certificate + the Alpengirl Canada Travel Release Form (mailed to you in May with waivers, t-shirt and pre-camp letter) is REQUIRED.

___ Receipts provided to you by your airline when you pay for return baggage fees and return unaccompanied minor tickets ahead of camp. 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 return baggage fees and return unaccompanied minor tickets in advance will reduce the possibility of being charged again upon camper departure home. If you are unable to for return baggage fees or return 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 in advance. (Read Alpengirl camp travel information for more details.)

___ Waivers signed by parents. These Alpengirl contracted service provider activity waivers (surfing, rafting, climbing, riding, kayaking) are mailed to you (along with camp t-shirt and pre-camp letter) in May. These waivers are REQUIRED for activity participation. [Lil’s Camp sessions do NOT have additional activity waivers required.]

___ Travel information printed from the Alpengirl website.

___ 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). Due to the wilderness nature of our adventures together, we are unable to receive mail during camp dates. However, parents, friends or relatives may pre-mail letters or packages ahead of camp dates. Mail must arrive to Alpengirl in MT before June 15 to guarantee delivery during any camp session this summer. Additionally, Alpengirl sells camper care packages or birthday gift packages ahead of camp and you can avoid the shopping and mailing if you take this option. 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.

___ $25-$100 Alpengirl Camp Store money (Optional). [In Alaska, Norway and Hawaii – sorry, due to travel logistics, no Alpengirl camp store items are available.]

___ $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 or 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. [On Lil’s Camp Sessions - $25 is fine for spending money, there is typically no souvenir shopping at the end of the Lil’s camp sessions.] [In Norway - spending money amount in Norway is completely up to parent discretion – an ice cream costs $4.50 US and a good Norwegian sweater costs $500 US and souvenirs cost $20-$200 US. DO bring an ATM card for getting cash during your adventure. ATM cash with drawl is by far the best way to have spending money in Norway. Do NOT bring Travelers Checks to Norway. A credit card for travel is a good idea, girls can buy food on the airplane with a credit card if needed or used as emergency back-up. Girls could travel with a bit of US currency and change it at the airport currency exchange booth in Norway.]

___ 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.) [Lil’s Camp sessions do NOT have a scheduled day to call home before camp ends. No calling card or cell phone is necessary if Lil Alpengirls are being dropped off and picked up by parents.] [In Norway – calling cards are not worth the effort to use in Norway. Please look into adjusting your current cell phone plan for use in Norway. As a back-up we’ll have a cell phone with us that girls could use to make a brief call home with if necessary.]

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)
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

*Montana Photojournalism Camp ONLY

Camera & Journal Bag

Select the smallest sized protective bag suitable for outdoor activity that will fit your camera and journal. This bag should protect your things from getting wet or squished or misplaced. Label the bag and all items inside the bag (camera, journal, valuables, etc things you want returned to you if found) with your name and telephone number. You should select a bright-colored bag or flag your bag with an obvious bright tag so you can easily and quickly identify it. Pack the following items in it:

___ A simple digital camera with manual settings, and flash and zoom functions.

___ 2 memory cards. Each card should allow you to take about 250 pictures before burning to cd for storage and to make room for more photos. 2 cards will offer more flexibility in case a card gets damaged or lost before burning to cd. Size of cards needed will vary depending on the megapixels of your camera. We can work with whatever size cards you bring, but, each person is required to bring 2 cards.

___ 2 or more batteries for your camera. Each battery should allow you to take and view a card full of images. Our biggest limitation during this trip is charging batteries. We are limited in our charging abilities at camp due to the wilderness nature of our adventures. We'll be viewing and deleting images frequently between charges. 2 batteries are required just in case one is lost or fails for some reason.

___ A regular wall charger for your camera (an additional vehicle charger is optional and very convenient to have.)

___ Your camera's operational instructions information or booklet.

___ A disposable waterproof camera for canoeing and rafting (or a waterproof case for your digital camera.) Put your name and phone # on it.

___ A back-up disposable camera in case of battery failure or camera damage. Put your name and phone # on it.

___ A durable journal and writing pens, a mini colored permanent marker, and pencils.

Note: Please know that we'll work with whatever camera and camera supplies you bring to camp, so, if all you bring is a disposable camera or two, we'll make it work.