Suggested items to bring
Clothing
You really don’t need much. Plan to wash some of your clothes or have some of your clothes washed once during the trip. Depending on your location, there may be a laundry service nearby or your host GV coordinator may be able to arrange for the team’s clothes to be laundered for a fee by community members. There are two types of clothing to consider when packing for a Habitat trip: work clothes and nice clothes.
Most of your stuff will be in-between, but perhaps a simple shirt will transform those casual togs into something suitable for church or a nice restaurant. Think about layering and remember that most of our time will be spent at the work site. Bring clothing that you don’t mind ruining with dirt, concrete, mud, etc.
The basics
• Hat/cap/bandana for sun and rain protection.
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker/umbrella.
• Fleece vest, pullover or sweater.
• Daily work and play clothes. (Generally try to avoid wearing anything with a large logo on it.)
• Swimsuit.
• One special outfit for house dedication, church, or dinner in a nice restaurant.
• Undergarments, socks, PJs (you will be sharing a room!).
• Shoes: hiking boots or work shoes, casual or nice shoes, sandals or running shoes.
Toiletries
• Soap, shampoo, small Ziploc bag of laundry detergent.
• Dental care.
• Personal cosmetics and toiletry items (deodorant, nail clippers, etc.).
• Tissues, toilet paper, travel size antibacterial wet wipes.
• Towel, facecloth.
Personal items
• Prescription medication. Keep it in the bottle you get from the pharmacy to help it clear customs.
• Over-the-counter drugs. If you are susceptible to headaches or cold symptoms or upset stomach, it
might be a good idea to pack some pain reliever, cold remedy and Pepto Bismol.
• A written copy of your prescription in case you lose the medication and need a refill.
• First-aid supplies. We’ll have a team medical kit, but you may want to bring sterile pads, antiseptic
solutions, band aids, etc.
• Insect repellent. A 30% DEET solution seems to work best.
• Antibacterial wet wipes (useful for many things).
• Lip balm, lotion.
• Prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and solutions for contact lenses.
• Watch. Bring a cheap one that can double as an alarm clock, or bring an alarm clock.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen.
• Water bottle.
• A money belt or pouch to carry your money, ID, passport, credit card (to wear under your clothes).
• Your passport.
• A photocopy of your passport. Keep this in your suitcase.
• “Money” in the form of ATM/credit card (personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.).
• Emergency contact phone numbers of family/friends at home.
Miscellaneous items to consider (just consider)
• Favorite snacks, tea bags, cocoa mix, portable mug.
• Plastic bags/old pillow case for dirty laundry, packing shoes, etc.
• Extra duffel bag for bringing home gifts, etc.
*Basic tools (specific list provided by host program)
• Dust mask.
• Work gloves (light-weight leather recommended).
• Nail apron.
• Tape measure (metric depending on location).
• Utility knife (in checked bags)
* These are suggested items.
You really don’t need much. Plan to wash some of your clothes or have some of your clothes washed once during the trip. Depending on your location, there may be a laundry service nearby or your host GV coordinator may be able to arrange for the team’s clothes to be laundered for a fee by community members. There are two types of clothing to consider when packing for a Habitat trip: work clothes and nice clothes.
Most of your stuff will be in-between, but perhaps a simple shirt will transform those casual togs into something suitable for church or a nice restaurant. Think about layering and remember that most of our time will be spent at the work site. Bring clothing that you don’t mind ruining with dirt, concrete, mud, etc.
The basics
• Hat/cap/bandana for sun and rain protection.
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker/umbrella.
• Fleece vest, pullover or sweater.
• Daily work and play clothes. (Generally try to avoid wearing anything with a large logo on it.)
• Swimsuit.
• One special outfit for house dedication, church, or dinner in a nice restaurant.
• Undergarments, socks, PJs (you will be sharing a room!).
• Shoes: hiking boots or work shoes, casual or nice shoes, sandals or running shoes.
Toiletries
• Soap, shampoo, small Ziploc bag of laundry detergent.
• Dental care.
• Personal cosmetics and toiletry items (deodorant, nail clippers, etc.).
• Tissues, toilet paper, travel size antibacterial wet wipes.
• Towel, facecloth.
Personal items
• Prescription medication. Keep it in the bottle you get from the pharmacy to help it clear customs.
• Over-the-counter drugs. If you are susceptible to headaches or cold symptoms or upset stomach, it
might be a good idea to pack some pain reliever, cold remedy and Pepto Bismol.
• A written copy of your prescription in case you lose the medication and need a refill.
• First-aid supplies. We’ll have a team medical kit, but you may want to bring sterile pads, antiseptic
solutions, band aids, etc.
• Insect repellent. A 30% DEET solution seems to work best.
• Antibacterial wet wipes (useful for many things).
• Lip balm, lotion.
• Prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and solutions for contact lenses.
• Watch. Bring a cheap one that can double as an alarm clock, or bring an alarm clock.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen.
• Water bottle.
• A money belt or pouch to carry your money, ID, passport, credit card (to wear under your clothes).
• Your passport.
• A photocopy of your passport. Keep this in your suitcase.
• “Money” in the form of ATM/credit card (personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.).
• Emergency contact phone numbers of family/friends at home.
Miscellaneous items to consider (just consider)
• Favorite snacks, tea bags, cocoa mix, portable mug.
• Plastic bags/old pillow case for dirty laundry, packing shoes, etc.
• Extra duffel bag for bringing home gifts, etc.
*Basic tools (specific list provided by host program)
• Dust mask.
• Work gloves (light-weight leather recommended).
• Nail apron.
• Tape measure (metric depending on location).
• Utility knife (in checked bags)
* These are suggested items.
