WYD Packing List and Suggestions - DRAFT

**This is an initial draft of a packing list for World Youth Day to help you begin planning for what you'll need to bring. If you or other members of your group think of other items or suggestions that we should include on this list, please contact Mike Slish at [email protected] so that we can update the list for all. We will distribute a final list at the Mandatory Pilgrim Meeting on Wednesday, July 13.

* Items marked with asterisk are provided as part of your diocesan pilgrimage registration. You will receive these items at the Pilgrim Meeting on July 13.

Before Departure  Register with the U.S. State Department at https://step.state.gov/step/ (keeps you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements and helps your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency)  Contact medical provider to ask if they recommend any vaccinations, or to get any necessary info about medications (see below)  Contact Bank if you intend to use an ATM card and credit card company if you intend to use a credit card. Let them know where you are travelling (Canada, and Poland) and for how long.  Exchange currency into złoty in advance. You can ask your bank if they can exchange it, or go to AAA, or go to currency exchange vendor (like EFX, located at Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga and Fashion Outlets, Niagara Falls). o Amount of currency needed will depend on how many souvenirs and snacks you plan to buy, and whether you plan to use credit cards for any expenses. Exchanging $100-200 U.S. dollars should be sufficient, at least for the first several days. You can always get more złoty at an ATM in Poland. If you worry about a cash shortage at ATMs (which is possible), you could exchange $500-600 U.S. dollars which should be sufficient for the trip.

Luggage  Lot Airlines allows each passenger to bring one checked bag (50 lb. max), one carry-on item (we strongly recommend backpack), and one personal item (usually small purse, see below)  Backpack (ideally with chest and waist straps) – note suggestions below about packing backpack for departure  Suitcase (50 lb. max) – remember to leave room if you are planning to bring back souvenirs  If you plan to bring a sleeping bag, try to pack it inside your suitcase. If carried separately, it will count as your “personal item” to carry on the plane.  Luggage tags – must be on each piece of your luggage, including your carry-on and sleeping bag  Liquids—Pack liquids the same as you would if you were flying from the United States. Liquid in your carry-on should be no larger than three ounces, and all liquids should fit in a one-quart Ziploc bag. Additional liquids can be packed in your checked bag if needed.

Important Documents & Finances  Passport  Photocopies of passport photo page; one in each checked bag, one in each carry-on, one carried on your person, and one left at home  Copy of your Pilgrim Form*  ID card (e.g. Driver’s license, school ID if no license)  Medical insurance card (or photocopy of it)

Page 1  Travel Insurance information (if purchased)  Credit or debit cards (if you plan to use them)  Currency: some dollars and some złoty (Polish currency) (needed for souvenirs and some meals/snacks/bottled water)  Money belt, or other secure way to carry your currency and credit/debit cards. It is not recommended to carry valuables in your backpack or in a back pocket.

Clothing  Casual clothes are recommended for our attire for the duration of the pilgrimage, but must comply with the Diocesan Guidelines for Appropriate Dress (see below).  No tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps, halter tops or strapless tops. If you choose to wear any kind of sleeveless top, be sure to bring something to cover your shoulders.  Shorts must be long enough so that fingertips touch fabric of shorts or skirts when arms relaxed at sides.  Because of the extreme amount of walking, good walking shoes are essential! Break them in, in advance, and consider bringing 2 pairs. Rubber soles highly recommended.  No flip-flops or sandals; closed toe shoes are most appropriate and will protect your feet in the crowds; the only times flip-flops or sandals could be worn is down time in the hotel.  T-shirts, shirts (1 for each of the 11 days, plus a couple extra?)  Diocesan t-shirt*  Diocesan wicking/athletic t-shirt*  Shorts, pants, capris  Good walking shoes! (Break them in, in advance! 2 pairs are recommended; see notes above)  Good socks (good padding, perhaps with wicking features to draw moisture away from feet)  Undergarments for 11 days (plus extra)  Pajamas, sleepwear  Light fleece jacket*  Hat* (bucket hat with brim will be provided)  Windbreaker* (water repellent)  Rain Poncho*

Diocesan Guidelines on Appropriate Dress

The Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry strives to provide a safe, Christian environment at all of its programs and events, including World Youth Day. Participants in our programs contribute to that positive environment by wearing clothing that reflects Christian values of modesty and respect. It is important to remember that everything you wear reflects on you and the values you hold. At World Youth Day especially, you are representing your country, your diocese and your Bishop. Please choose your clothing carefully.

Only casual clothing is required for World Youth Day. However, we ask you to observe the following guidelines when choosing your clothing:  All clothing should be appropriate in length and style and not revealing.  Shirts (t-shirts, blouses, sweaters, etc.) must cover the stomach/midriff.  Shorts of modest length; when standing with arms straight at side, fingertips should touch the fabric of shorts.

Page 2  Extremely low-rise shorts, jeans or slacks (or clothing that is rolled down to reveal areas below the waist), or shorts/pants worn low around the hips are not appropriate.  No inappropriate slogans or designs; no clothing containing words or symbols that are profane, suggestive or promote cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol.  Bathing suits are not needed at World Youth Day.

Other  Toiletries: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, feminine products, etc. o No aerosol cans (e.g. hairspray)  Any prescription medications (see notes below!) o All medications should be in their original containers, properly labeled, and carried in your carry-on bag. Bring a copy of your prescription(s) with you if possible, in your carry-on bag, in case there are any questions going through Customs. o If you are carrying a narcotic based prescription drug (sedatives, tranquilizers) make sure to get a letter from your doctor stating why you need the drug(s) in question to avoid potential problems with Customs officials. o Bring more medication than you need, possibly as much as one week’s extra supply. o If you use a name brand prescription, ask your doctor for the name of the generic equivalent in case you need to get more overseas.  Any over-the-counter medications you may need; consider o pain reliever o decongestant o antacid o stomach upset / Pepto Bismol o motion sickness relief o sleep aid?  Sunscreen  Band-aids  Wipes  Hand sanitizer  Non-perishable snacks that can be carried in backpack (we recommend snacks high in protein and/or fiber, and those that will not melt)  European electrical adaptor(s) – consider the number you may need for the number of items you have  AM/FM portable radio and earphones (events will be translated through a local radio station)  Camera  Extra batteries, or rechargeable batteries with battery charger, or auxiliary power sources for phones, cameras, etc.  Personal cell phone (if it will work internationally, or if you are using only as camera)  Rental cell phone (if you rented)  Cell phone chargers  Sunglasses  Water bottle* (label it with your name)  Pilgrim journal* (label it with your name)  Pens or pencils  Pilgrim pouch*  Flyte* (bandana, headband, headwrap, flag – all in one!)

Page 3  Small trading items to share with pilgrims from other countries (some provided by diocese*; can purchase/bring others) (examples include: pins, buttons, bracelets, religious medals, etc.)  Sharpie marker* (for signing items)

* Remember, items above marked with asterisk will be provided by Diocese.

Optional Items to Consider  Travel pillow  Headphones for use on plane  Books, puzzles, cards – for down time, during travel, and before the vigil  Your own personal journal (if you keep one, and want to use that in addition to/instead of the journal provided)  Religious items to be blessed at Papal Vigil and Mass  Rosary and small bible (or app on phone?)  American flag(s) to use as a trader or for pictures with pilgrims from other countries  Wrist watch  Carabiner clip(s) (for attaching water bottle or other items to bag when walking)  Umbrella (for rain and for shade)  Binoculars  Laundry bag (or plastic grocery bags to use as such)  Travel alarm clock  Portable battery charger / power pack  Bug repellent  Flat sheet  Tissues /toilet paper

Hotel Notes:  Our past experience in Polish hotels was that hotel beds do not have flat sheets on beds.  Hotel rooms are standard hotel rooms with a private bath. One difference from most U.S. hotel rooms is that most hotel beds will be single beds. There will be enough beds in the rooms for each person.  Rooms typically do not have facial tissue (e.g. Kleenex).  Rooms do include a hair dryer.

Items to Consider for Overnight at Campus Misericordiae  Small flashlight  Ground cover: Tarp or plastic sheet (for moisture barrier). Poncho can work for this too.  Bedding items: thin sleeping bag, thin blanket, small inflatable mattress (e.g. pool float)...remember that you must carry all items for approximately 10 mile walk each way  Bungee cords, duct tape, nylon cord or rope to attach sleeping bag to backpack  Ziploc bags (to put belongings in, in case it rains)

Do Not Bring  expensive items or expensive jewelry  air mattress  tent  Do not pack scissors, nail clippers, tweezers or anything of the like in your carry-on bag!

Page 4 Pilgrim Pack When we arrive in Krakow, we will each receive a Pilgrim Pack – included in your WYD registration fee. This pack includes:  Small backpack  Rosary  Metro pass  WYD hat  Pilgrims booklet  Guidebook to WYD

IMPORTANT PACKING NOTES:

It is strongly recommended that pilgrims bring a backpack as their carry-on bag. You will need the backpack for carrying your personal items during WYD, especially on the pilgrimage to Campus Misericordiae.

PACKING BACKPACK FOR DEPARTURE: Plan carefully for what to pack in your backpack for the travel to Poland. This will be the item that you can access before and after the departure Mass, on the bus ride to Toronto, and during your flight.

MUST PACK IN BACKPACK  Passport  A copy of your passport (packed in bag)  Any medications that you need to take. Prescriptions should be in original containers and labeled!  Pilgrim pouch (bring this to Departure Mass with you!)  Pilgrim journal (so you can journal or read portions while on bus or plane)  Pen or pencil for journaling or making notes  Wallet/spending money (in case you want to purchase food/beverage in airport)  Water bottle (you'll likely want something to drink on the bus or plane)

OPTIONAL ITEMS FOR BACKPACK  Because this is an overnight flight, if you wear contact lenses, you may wish to take them out prior to departure and re-insert upon arrival in Warsaw. If so, pack a lens case, contact lens solution, and your glasses.  Any "entertainment items" you'll want during flight (books, iPad, headphones, etc.)  If you bring electronics, bring the charge cord(s)!  Any comfy clothing you might wish to wear during flight (extra socks, sweatshirt or fleece)  Snacks, gum  Travel pillow (if you desire)

PACKING YOUR SUITCASE Remember that our first night in Poland is at a hotel in Warsaw, then we travel to Kraków. We will only be in the Warsaw hotel for Saturday night, and we will be departing early on Sunday morning, so pack your suitcase accordingly. You might want to pack your pajamas, change of clothes, toiletries and any other items you need for that first night in an easily accessible place in your luggage so that you don't need to disturb the rest of your suitcase for that one overnight stay.

Page 5