For Travel

Comfortable casual clothing for traveling – lightweight, culturally appropriate (knee length and shoulders covered) and sun smart. A hat is essential. Shoes can be casual – runners are fine for travel

For Volunteering (see itemised list below)

CLS requests that all staff and volunteers dress professionally and appropriately at all times. In keeping with Cambodian culture, it is important for all volunteers to dress appropriately in CLS’s educational environment. As CLS and CLC are on the grounds of Chumkriel Pagoda, conservative modest dress must be worn at all times:

·    General appearance should be neat, clean, and modest. Please remove facial piercings (apart from earings), cover tattoos, and be conservative with jewelry and hair styles. Long hair on boys is not common - please keep neat and tidy. Boys should be cleanly shaven each day.

·     It is an important part of Cambodian culture and a sign of respect to dress appropriately in a teaching environment.

·     Shorts and short skirts are not permitted.

·     Shoulders and knees must be covered & low-cut necklines are not permitted as some of our students are monks. Please avoid large or old t-shirts. 

·     Hats and sunglasses are to be removed before entering school buildings.

·     Please avoid wearing heavy makeup or perfumes. 

·     Be mindful of and avoid see-through shirts & skirts, showing too much cleavage or stomach (when reaching up).

·     Inappropriate language (swearing, blasphemy, slang, …) is not acceptable

For females – skirts below the knee and shirts that are lightweight (but not see-through), have sleeves and wont show your midriff (even when reaching up). Tailored  pants may be worn but must be “business-like” (as you would dress for City Bound or Work Experience).

Sandals or shoes or crocks - something that can be taken on and off quickly. Shoes are not worn inside.

For Males – long trousers "business-like" and a shirt (short or long sleeved, 'business or polo').

Gear List

Below is a checklist of recommended equipment and a great deal of information to help you prepare for the project. During December, the average daytime temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius with average 60% humidity. Consider labelling daypack and suitcase – Your name, Kampot Hotel (Paris Guest House II) & Aussie Address

Extras

• Camera

• Batteries or camera chargers

• Reading Material

• Combination Locks for bags

• Some photographs from home – family, pets, school, classmates, your local town/city etc. These are always a great ice-breaker with local families.

• Money belt (which must stay out of sight for the duration of the trip) or bag with zippers for money and passports

Documentation & Money

Extra Copies – carry extra copies of your passport and printed copies of all your air tickets (even if they are e-tickets). Put these in with your toiletries or writing material. Leave a copy at home

Passport – make sure that it is valid and will not expire within 6 months of your departure date from Cambodia. Have spare copies of passport (placed inside suitcase & in your daypack)

Cash – American dollars are best in small denominations ($50 & $100 notes are hard to change locally!). You can change $ when you arrive in Phnom Penh. About $200 US should be more than enough spending money unless you’re intending on doing all your Christmas shopping in Phnom Penh! You will only need spending money for souvenirs, snacks and extra drinks during the evenings. We recommend you split your cash up rather than having it all in one place.

Travel Cards are good to bring as a backup. It’s always a good idea to warn your bank where you are traveling to so that they are not suspicious if you need to use your card while away!

Helpful additional items

Mark your Baggage – label with your name (inside, and outside your bag using indelible ink) and use something like a ribbon to make your bags distinct. Take a photo of your suitcase – in case it gets lost … makes it easier to describe (keep in day pack) etc

DO NOT BRING – expensive jewelry, watches or “flashy” items (smart watches etc). It will make you really stand out amongst local people who have very little, and also make you a real target for thieves. Also, please do not bring anything of sentimental value. You are responsible for all your personal items. 

TRY AND AVOID – clothing with obvious brand name labels on them. We do not need to culturally influence the places we are going plus some of the items that have brand names may be considered desirable making a target of them for possible theft. The areas we are going are not wealthy so please be aware.

Waterproof bags for camera and writing materials

Misc

Laundry bag

Travell clothes line and pegs - one per room

Alarm clock or watch with alarm - one per room

Water bottle

Wide brim hat

Sunscreen, Mozi repellant, Wet wipes,

Backpack/day bag

Camera

Small torch

Aussie pins/stickers/small animal toys/etc

Sight Seeing

Lightweight, culturally appropriate (knee length and shoulders covered) and sun smart. A hat is essential. A pair of closed runners will be essential when we are visiting rural areas. Long pants or skirts and long-sleeved shirts (light coloured) are essential in the evening to ward off mosquitos.

Extra Clothing Essentials

Consider bringing a light weight jumper/sweater just in case of air-con and colder evenings.

Sunhat - wide-brimmed is essential, as the sun is very strong in Cambodia - baseball caps don’t keep the sun off your neck!

Good quality Sunglasses – the UV rays are strong in Cambodia and you must protect your eyes from the glare of the sun. These should ideally have polarised lenses to protect your eyes.

Personal Gear

Backpack or suitcase – please don’t bring anything too big – transporting them from Phnom Penh to Kampot is difficult.

25KG is the limit on our flight - BUT leave room to also bring a laptop on the way over and Tshirts on the way back

Personal Day Pack – 35-45 litres – this is to carry your daily needs; water, lunch, extra layers, camera and hand-luggage while traveling etc.

Swimsuit – women need to be mindful of not wearing a bikini that is too 'revealing'. Bikini top and 'boardshorts' are preferable.

One or Two 1-litre water bottle

Toiletries

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Sunscreen (at least factor 30) with high UVA protection

Soap & shampoo.

Eye care items if need be, extra pair of glasses

Feminine hygiene products if needed

Bandana or headband – small and light and has multiple uses

Mosquito repellent – Bushman’s friend DEET 40% tropical is the most effective repellent

Hand sanitiser

Sight Seeing

According to past students, the suggestion range from $75 to $250. Student's spent their own money on buying items for themselves, presents for family and friends as well as additional drinks and snacks.

Teacher clothes - see past examples below. 

CHANGES FOR 2024

In 2024 it is acceptable for females to wear tailored  pants “business-like”. Males should wear 'business like' slacks (not chinos or alternatives). Polo shirts are acceptable for males and females - CLS may provide a school CLS polo.