*** This is a winter trip in cold climates. ***
1. Hard suitcases or duffel bags are permitted..There is a limited amount of storage space on our bus; we won't take bags that are bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Carry on size only.
2. Please label all items with the participant's name with a permanent marker before the tour. This is especially important for gamchas.
3. All girls must bring a gamcha. If you do not have a gamcha instead of a towel, we will have some available for sale. If you live locally, the Alachua temple store has them.
4. Cell phones - girls may not use cell phones on the tour. If a girl is brings her cell phone with her to use it to call her parents with, we will collect it and hold it for her until she needs to use it. If she would like to take pictures during the tour, and her phone is capable of being password locked to only use the camera function, she may use it for that. Otherwise, she should bring a camera.
Since this is a tour with many participants without much luggage space, we encourage everyone to take on the challenge of packing lightly. Each girl should be able to carry ALL of her own belongings in one go. The following is a packing list of what they should bring and also a list of what will be provided.
1 Hard suitcases or duffel bag : 22 x 14 x 9 inche maximum (if it is too big and they are flying in, we will lend them a bag to use - they cannot use an oversized bag on the tour)
1 school-sized Backpack
1 Small Lightweight Backpack for hiking, and day trips in the city (straps preferred over strings)
1 Laundry bag with zipper or drawstring closure
Bedding : Sleeping bag (should roll as small as possible), pillow, and a twin-sized flat sheet. Camping mat.
Everything should fit in the duffel bag. Daypack bags and Suchi kits will remain on the bus. Duffel bags are stored underneath. Sleeping bag and pillow are separate. Pajamas should be stored with pillow in the pillow case. This is a Vaishnavi tour. Please pack accordingly.
We will be doing laundry weekly on the tour.
1 sari, petticoat and choli for our annual 'sari day' (we will help put on saris)
2-3 sets of temple clothing: gopi skirts (at least one), anarkalis, and/ or punjabi suits. We recommend considering your limited luggage allowance when choosing what skirts to bring; skirts with lots of panels can take up a lot of space in your bag. Please include a knee-length skirt that can easily be taken on and off when occasions require it.
4-5 sets of leisure activities (camping/hiking/day excursions)
2-3 pairs of pants- 1 jean / 1 lighter (sweat pants or yoga pants for camping) (leggings can be worn as pants in casual camping situations)
1-2 pairs of shorts or capris - 5 inch inseam or longer (no short shorts, shorts must extend past one's fingertips)
1 pair of basketball sports shorts
7 shirts (long and short-sleeved) (no spaghetti straps or midriff shirts, tanktops must be 2 finger-widths wide or more)
1 pair of pajamas (no short shorts or spaghetti strap tops)
1 bathing suit (a one piece w/ shorts or a tankini w/ shorts, no bikinis)
1 gamcha (towels are large and take too long to dry)
10 days of underwear / undergarments
5 pairs of socks (1 warmer wool pair)
1-2 sweatshirts with hood or fleece layer sweatshirt
1 long-sleeve base layer (made of merino wool or a wicking material)
1 winter jacket (used for skiing / tubing)
Water bottle - must hang with a hook or have a strap
1 pair of comfortable sandals or flip flops
1 pair of tennis shoes/ winter shoes (for running/hiking/tubing)
1 emergency 99c raincoat
1 winter hat,
1 pair of warm gloves or mittens
1 scarf or gator or buff (to block wind over your mouth/face)
1 flashlight or headlamp
camera and necessary accessories (if desired)
For eating: 1 bowl/plate, a spoon and a cup
japa beads and bead bag
Suchi Kit
All of these contents should fit in one toiletry bag. Please opt for travel size wherever possible.
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Baby wipes
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Hairbrush/ Hair ties
Sanitary supplies
Tilak & Small hand mirror
Safety pins
All jewelry should fit in a sandwich-size baggie.
No make up please! (At festivals, girls 13 years and older may wear tasteful make-up)
We will provide: sunblock 45 (bring your own if you need stronger), mosquito repellent, basic first aid, and vitamin C.
Please let us know if there is something else you feel may be needed for your daughter that we can provide or if it is more specific, she can bring it for her own personal use. Also any special medical or dietary needs, or allergies should be brought to our attention before the tour.
We will bring a mridanga, harmonium, and kartals. If you play other instruments please bring it in a separate protected carrying case for safe handling. If you are a dancer please bring your bells. You may also only bring one non-devotional book to read, if desired.
Suggested Spending Money: $60 is suggested with an additional $25 for necessities. $100 is our maximum allowable amount with $75 allocated for spending and $25 for necessities. If your child does not need/use her necessities money, it will be returned to you at the trip's end.
Prohibited Items: Music players (we will have plenty of devotional music with us), cell phones (they may use the organizers' phones) and electronic devices such as tablets or Kindle readers.