What to Pack
Now that you have chosen your MOVE option, you are probably wondering "What should I pack?" Here is a handy guide to let you know what you should, and SHOULDN'T bring with you on MOVE. Please be sure to join our Facebook page "Pacific MOVE" for updates and more information about MOVE.
For ALL trips, you should bring:
- SLEEPING BAG AND PILLOW: If you don't have a sleeping bag, you can bring a thick blanket. It does get chilly at most sites during the evening hours and you will need something to sleep in. The site will provide mattresses, but they do not provide bedding, so bring something that you can fold in half, so you have something between you and the mattress pad, as well as something to cover you to keep you warm.
- SERVICE CLOTHES: Every service site requires long pants, long sleeved shirts, and closed-toed shoes. Wear a short sleeved shirt as well; layers are good. The long pants and shirt will protect you from scratches and poison oak. Closed-toed shoes, like tennis shoes/hiking shoes/basketball shoes, and perfect as they provide great support, have good traction, and will protect your feet. Flip flops and sandals are not permitted!
- EXPLORATION CLOTHES: Be sure to bring clothes that are good for exploring as well. Shorts and t-shirt are a great option. Jeans are not the best for exploring as you will get hot and jeans don't breathe very well. We don't want you to get overheated. Again, closed-toed shoes are a must! Do not wear flip flops or sandals for exploring. You will need supportive, protective shoes with good traction. [Special note for American River: you will need to wear tennis shoes during the rafting portion of the trip. This is required by the rafting company. Please bring a pair of sneakers that you don't mind getting wet.]
- LAYERS: Though MOVE does occur in August, each site can get very chilly at night, and something during the day if there is fog or cloud cover (like at the coast). You will want to bring a sweatshirt and some long pants to keep you warm while you are hanging around the campfire or exploring the area.
- BATHING SUIT: Please bring a modest swimsuit. Each site has some type of water feature (pool, pond, lake, river) in which to cool off. Please bring a modest suit, as you will be sharing the sites with other campers, as well as faculty and staff. You can bring a tank top to wear if you don't own a modest suit. If you don't want to wear a suit, you can swim in shorts and a tank top as well. [Special note for American River: you will need to wear shorts while in the raft as the surface of the raft can get very hot and will burn the back of your legs as you sit on surface. Additionally, the life jackets are used every day by other rafters, and are worn tight and can irritate your skin. The rafting company recommends wearing a tank top or t-shirt to protect your skin.]
- CAMERA: We love getting great pictures from our MOVE participants. Please bring a digital camera, or a disposable one, to take pictures so we can post your adventures on our Facebook page. You cell phone doesn't count as a digital camera.
- BASIC TOILETRIES: Bring the basic toiletries that you will need for an overnight trip.
- BACKPACK AND WATER BOTTLE: You will need a backpack to carry your lunch, water bottle, camera, and layers for both days of MOVE. You will need to buy/bring lunch for your first day of MOVE. There will be lunch available for purchase at the UC for a nominal cost, or you can bring lunch from home, if you plan to live off-campus. There will not be an opportunity to purchase food at any of the sites, so do not forget your lunch.
What NOT to Bring:
- CELL PHONE: We do not permit cell phones on MOVE. Please, please, please leave these behind. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know other students, explore some beautiful parts of Northern California, and escape from campus for one night. Most of the sites do not have cell service, and we are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Leave the cell behind and get to know some fellow students face to face.
- IPODS, MP3 PLAYERS, GAMING DEVICES: Again, this is a great time to get to know new people and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Respect other students desire to escape the noise associated with MP3s and gaming devices. Leave your earbuds behind and have a conversation with the person sitting right next to you. Take the opportunity to listen to the sounds that nature has to offer. You will be surprised how wonderful 36 hours without noise can be.
- MONEY: There will not be an opportunity to purchase anything while on MOVE (other than lunch on the first day at the UC). Leave your cash and credit cards behind.
- FLIP FLOPS: The locations associated with MOVE require hiking and extended walking, even on the coast. Leave the flip flops and sandals behind as they do not provide good support, good traction, and protection for your feet.
- DRUGS, ALCOHOL, ETC.: MOVE has a no tolerance policy for any substances that are not mandated by a doctor's order.
- SNACKS/FOOD: Unless previously arranged with the Director of MOVE, we do not permit snacks and food on MOVE. Our sole purpose for this policy is that food and drink is not permitted in any lodging site, per the policies of the retreat centers/lodging hosts. Food brings critters (i.e. raccoons, bugs, bears, etc). Most locations have a fine (up to $5000) for bringing food and drink into the lodging locations. Please leave it behind.
