LEAPYEAR India Packing Guide

The following lists detail equipment and clothing needed for LEAPYEAR. There are two lists: items for use at the LEAPNOW campus, and items for the semester abroad. Remember that you’ll be carrying everything in a backpack. You can plan on bringing more to the LEAPNOW campus, and students will have access to a bin they can leave on campus while traveling abroad.

Gear Guidelines:  When in doubt, PACK LIGHT - you will be carrying everything in your backpack, and you can purchase additional items (clothes, toiletries, etc.) while traveling.  You will face hot, cold, dry, humid and rainy conditions. Plan accordingly.  The following websites have a good selection of travel items: www.statravel.com, www.reioutlet.com, www.backcountry.com, and www.sierratradingpost.com.  A note on water: Tap water in India is not safe for consumption. In most places we travel, students will have to either drink bottled water or will have to purify their water with a filter or a SteriPEN (http://www.steripen.com/). Students will be given money to purchase bottled water while travelling. By purchasing a SteriPEN or water filter in advance you can minimize the number of water bottles you consume; but neither is necessary for travel.

Checklist for India (Required items are bold )

 Toiletries Bag or Dop Kit  Internal Frame Backpack to carry all your gear- backpacking or travel packs are  Insect Repellant (DEET or natural) fine, but not the type with wheels

 Sleeping Bag medium to light-weight  Pack Towel

 Sleeping Bag liner or sheet- for use in  Personal Notebook / Journal (optional warmer climates and on trains address book)

 Day Pack with enough space to hold a  Sunglasses water bottle, your camera, and a book  Ear Plugs (helpful to sleep in transit)  Money Belt for the waist or neck pouch  Camera (Batteries)  Water Bottle (we recommend Nalgene or Kleen Kanteen) 1 quart or larger  1-2 cotton bandanas

 Flashlight or Headlamp (and extra  Ziplock plastic bags of varying sizes for batteries) carrying and protecting items

 USB Flash Drive – 1 GB (or more) for your  Nylon Cord - Short length, lightweight academic work while traveling (good for laundry line and other needs)

 Musical Instrument  Wrist Watch – can also be your alarm  Good Book (1 or 2)  Travel Alarm clock  Small Padlock for security (combination  SteriPEN or Waterfilter locks recommended)

 Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman

CLOTHING

Quote from a past participant: “Your clothes are going to be ruined - just so you know. ”

Fashion and dress in India is very different than in the United States. In India you will be expected to respect the culture by dressing appropriately throughout your travels. Leave torn, tight or revealing clothing at home. Though these may be chic in the U.S., it will create a lousy impression in India. Bring clothing that is simple, neat and well taken care of - nothing too fancy or delicate.

A special note to women: As a woman from the United States you will draw less unwanted attention to yourself by dressing modestly and in local clothing. You will be grateful throughout the program that you packed loose, comfortable and practical ‘travel’ clothing. In most of the areas you’ll be traveling, exposing shoulders and ankles is taboo and they should be covered at all times. The following is also not appropriate to wear: anything tight enough that would show off your curves, shorts, tank tops, capris, shirts that show your stomach, and skirts without long pants underneath them. We suggest that you do what most female travelers do, and that is buy what is called a Punjabi outfit, or Salwar Kameez, after you have arrived in India. A Punjabi outfit consists of loose pants, a long shirt that Springs to your knees or shins, and a long scarf to drape over both shoulders to cover your chest. Wearing Indian dress makes a positive impression and Punjabi outfits are quite practical, affordable, comfortable and attractive. If you purchase a Punjabi outfit made with a light cotton material the clothing will breathe and keep you cool in the heat of India. Prices for a complete Punjabi outfit start around $8.

A special note to men: While males tend to have a bit more freedom with fashion in India then women do, Indian men tend to dress nicer than males in the United States. Typical dress is a button down shirt with long pants. In India only young boys wear shorts. To respect the culture, your clothing should not have holes, tears, stains, rips, etc. The best option is to have clothes that you can work in that can also be used to dress up.

 Comfortable Pants (2 Pairs) (at least one made of quick-dry material)  Long-Sleeved Shirts (1-2) that you don’t mind working in and can double as a ‘nice’ shirt  Short Sleeve Shirts (2) subdued designs and colors  Hiking Shoes Good quality, waterproof. Ankle height is fine. BREAK THEM IN!  Sandals with a heel strap (such as Chacos or Tevas)  Rain Gear Good quality jacket or poncho with a hood (Rain pants are not recommended) Make sure that your gear is WATERPROOF!  Medium Weight Layer (down, fleece, pile vest, microfiber shirt, or jacket) to be worn under your rain jacket - we may encounter weather in the 40's  Long Underwear (1 Set) (bottoms essential - top optional)  Underwear (4-5) (quick - dry or cotton)  Socks (3-4 pair) pairs of quality PERSONAL HYGIENE (You will be able to replenish basics during your travels)

 Tooth brush, carrier, toothpaste, floss  Contacts/Glasses (Bring spares and a copy of your prescription)  Antibacterial bar soap or Dr. Bronner’s  Tampons, personal feminine hygiene  Shampoo/Conditioner products  Comb or brush  Sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher  Shaving supplies  Nail clippers  Deodorant  Multivitamins, personal supplements (if  Contraceptives, condoms you normally take these)  Hand Sanitizer (Highly Recommended)  Sewing Kit

PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT (Optional) Trip leaders will be carrying a fully-stocked first aid kit. These are recommended items you may want to bring for yourself (in a watertight plastic container)

 Motion Sickness Treatment  Imodium or other anti-diarrhea medicine  Antihistamine  Aspirin or Ibuprofen  Antibiotic ointment – like Neosporin  Scissors & tweezers  Electrolyte powder for re-hydration  Band-Aids and moleskin   Wellness Formula Herbal Defense Complex by Bio Align, a booster for the immune system  Grapefruit seed extract (GSE): as a naturopathic alternative for travel-related stomach problems   Prescription Medication:  Any medication you are currently taking - enough for 12 weeks, and written prescriptions  Epinephrine Pen (Epi-pen): Epinephrine pens are used to treat potentially fatal anaphylactic shock due to insect bites, food or medication allergies. An Epi-pen must be prescribed. IMPORTANT: If you know of a potential allergy, LEAPNOW requires that you bring two Epi-pens (one for yourself and one for the leaders to carry on your behalf)  Asthma Inhalers – at least 2. If you have a history of asthma, even long ago, bring them!   HOMESTAY and VOLUNTEERING  Gifts for Homestay Families – Small gifts from your home culture to show your appreciation for their hospitality. These don’t have to be expensive – families love home-made gifts or souvenirs.  Activities for Kids – You will be working with many children along the trip, so bring something that you can share or teach them. Be prepared to be able to teach – dancing, finger-painting, juggling – everyone has something to share!  Pictures of your home-town, family, and friends – Great way to connect with the culture.     Checklist for the Retreats (Required items are bold )   Note: There may be overlap between this list and the traveling gear/clothing list.  You DO NOT need to double up on items that appear on both lists.   Large inexpensive duffel bag – To protect and store your belongings at the LEAPNOW campus while traveling  Rugged work clothing – Blue jeans make good work pants as well as pants made by Carhartt and Ben Davis. These clothes may get ‘worked’ – paint stained or worn out  Comfortable Clothing - For movement and yoga – shorts, sweats, sports bras, etc  Sweatshirt with hood or something similar for cold weather  Rubber boots or Water-Proofed Work Shoes - You will definitely work in the rain in January & February at the LEAPNOW campus  Bedding - 1 twin size fitted sheet – you will be sleeping on a twin sized mattress. Most students sleep in their sleeping bags, but bring what you need to make your stay comfortable  Ceremonial Clothing – Something formal that makes you feel celebratory - can be anything that sets the tone for a special occasion for you. Feel free to get creative.  Leather work gloves - good quality  Laptop – for your academic work while on campus during second retreat, do not take it with you to India!  Water Shoes – there is a creek on the LEAPNOW campus  Bath Towel/Sarong/Swimsuit  Yoga Mat  Casual clothing and shoes for wearing around the campus during free time  Musical instruments that are easy to store, such as guitar, flute, etc.   Things to leave at home   . Any knife larger than a Swiss Army knife . T-shirts with garish or loud designs & otherwise "loud" clothing . Magazines/Video Games/DVDs . Junk Food . Amps or Electrical Music Instruments   *Some people get the idea that they’ll be camping during LEAPYEAR, which is not true. While at the LEAPNOW campus, you’ll need regular casual clothes, clothes to work in, and ceremonial clothing. While in India, you’ll generally need the same kinds of clothing. You will be able to adjust your clothing and gear during the Winter break for the second half of the year, so don’t pack for the entire year this Spring!   A note on electronics   Come prepared for loss, theft or damage to your electronics!  You will need a special adaptor to charge your electronics in India and Latin America. You can research and purchase adaptors at electronic stores, travel stores or online.   MP3/iPods: Make sure your information is backed up at home. Consider whether you use your MP3 player as an escape from what is going on around you or can you use it judiciously and stay engaged with the group and your experiences.   Digital Cameras: It is a good idea to purchase a large memory card, minimum 1 GB. If you plan on uploading pictures, you will need to bring your USB cord. Internet speeds may be slow! AA & AAA batteries are available in India and you will be able to charge your rechargeable batteries with the appropriate adaptor. If your camera requires a special battery you may want to pack extras.   Cell phones and Laptops: Cell phones are not used during retreat times or during group travel in Latin America. LEAPYEAR leaders carry an emergency cell phone for the group during the semester. If you bring your cell phones to the start of your LEAPYEAR, you will be asked to put them away during the retreat and not use them for calls, texting, or as music players. Laptops may be used for academic work during the second retreat but you will not be using them during the first retreat.