Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School
at Wrightwood
PACKING LIST: What to bring, what NOT to bring
Plan to get dirty! We will be studying rocks and soil and plants and animals,
we may be out in rain or snow, hiking when it's dusty or muddy. We are even
outside at night. It ~is~ OUTDOOR School, after all! Dressing in layers is
a great way to be ready for anything. Also, don't forget to label everything!
We have a nice collection of unclaimed gloves and flashlights and hats that
weren't labeled and no one claimed.
It might get quite warm during the day, but can still be chilly at night.
You are not likely to see snow (though you never know!), but do prepare for
the possibility of rain or chilly weather. You will be outside much of the
day, no matter what the weather, and you will be hiking on trails and sitting
on
the
ground,
so
plan accordingly! Layers are the best bet for changeable weather - a sweatshirt,
jacket or windbreaker that can be tied around your waist is very helpful. The
sun can be hot, so a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are a good idea, too. Here's
a checklist:
Good walking shoes - 2 pair if possible. Tennis shoes, running shoes, cross-trainers,
light hiking boots, etc.
Hiking Shoe Hint: Tie your shoelaces!! If you have those oh-so-fashionable
shoes that are too big and untied, bring some "unfashionable" but functional
shoes that can be tied snugly. We will be hiking on rocky, sometimes
steep
trails
and you need the support! Students wearing loose shoes have been known
to trip and fall right out of their shoes - how fashionable will you
look, then?!
Extra socks - bring more than you think you need. Keeping your feet dry
and warm is the best way to avoid blisters and discomfort. (smells better,
too)
Clothes you don't mind getting dirty! All of our dirt washes out - really!
Long pants are a must. We have a rule about wearing long pants to protect
your legs from getting scratched and scraped on the trail, and it's
more comfortable to sit on the forest floor of pine needles if you are
wearing
jeans! 2-4 pairs of long pants are recommended.
Tee shirts. Please no tank tops or belly shirts or messages inappropriate
for school on them! Bring some light colored and dark colored tee shirts
- wear
the light colors on hot days and the dark colors on cooler days! But
plan to get them dirty, no matter what color they are.
Overshirts: long sleeved shirts or sweatshirts or sweaters or jackets
or windbreakers to layer over the tee shirt - something not too bulky
that can be tied around the waist is a great idea. We will make you bring
it on
the
trail
if the weather might turn cool, so make sure it is something you don't
mind carrying! Plan to get it dirty. You will probably be sitting on
it much of the time!
Hat for sun (or to keep your head warm when it's cold!)
Clothes for cold or wet weather:
Extra socks! If your feet get wet or cold, it sure is nice to have
extra socks to change into!
A warm jacket for evening activities. Not just a light sweatshirt or
windbreaker, something warmer. If you don't have something warmer, bring
more layers - an extra sweatshirt and a windbreaker that fits over two
will help. We have extra warm jackets to loan out to students who need
them, though, so don't worry!
A rain jacket or poncho. Windbreakers are not waterproof. We have rain
ponchos to loan out if you don't have your own, so don't worry if you
don't have one.
Waterproof boots are nice, but if it gets really messy, we have rain/snow
boots to loan out.
Hats, gloves, scarves. These are nice to bring. We do have a few extras
to loan out if you don't, though. The gloves may not match, but they'll
keep your hands warm!
Hats! Hats protect you from the sun when it's hot and they keep your head
warm when it's cold. If you have them, bring both a sun hat and a warm cap.
Sunglasses: the sun is brighter at 6,000 ft. Please send sunglasses and/
or a hat that shades the eyes.
Chapstick: the air in the mountains is much drier than most people
are used to at home. Chapstick/lip balm is needed throughout the day to keep
lips
from
becoming
chapped and uncomfortable.
In winter, in addition to the clothes listed above, you should also bring
the following, if possible:
Extra socks!! Lots of them! If you have wool socks, even better!!
Waterproof snow boots are great if you have them, waterproofed high top
hiking boots are pretty good, but if all you have is tennis shoes or low-topped
boots, we do have insulated waterproof boots to loan your child for the week.
Still, if you step in a snowbank that is deeper than your boot is tall, you
will have wet feet! So, again, bring extra socks!!
Warm Jacket - if you don't have a really warm jacket, layers work great,
too. If needed, we also have some really warm jackets we can loan out for
the week, so speak up if you are cold!
Waterproof layer: Snow is pretty dry when it falls, but when it hits your
warm clothing, it melts and soaks in and you can get wet and cold. We have
rain ponchos to loan out, if needed, but if you have a waterproof shell or
poncho of your own, bring that up.
Hat: approximately 90% of body heat is lost through your head (at least
according to Cliff Clavin). Bring a warm hat! We
do have some hats to loan out if you need one, but your own is always so
much
nicer! Don't forget to label it, or you might add to our collection of interesting
hats...
Gloves or mittens: fingers get really cold, especially when they just can't
resist picking up snow... Wool is great, insulated with a waterproof shell
is great. Those little stretchy cotton gloves don't do much at all, and get
wet easily, but they can be better than nothing sometimes. We do have warm
gloves to loan out if needed, but they probably won't match! It's better
to bring your own, and don't forget to label them, or you'll add to our collection!
Long pants - if you have rain or snow pants, great! If not, bring extra
pairs. Jeans and sweats, especially, will get very wet in snow, and you will
need extra pairs to wear while your wet clothes are hanging up to dry in
your cabin. In very snowy weather, expect to change clothes at least 3 times
a day!
Long underwear - if you have long underwear, that's great! It's not absolutely
necessary, but it will keep you more comfortable when it's really cold out.
LAYERS are always good - even in the winter, when the sun comes out, it
can get warm, so being able to peel off those top layers will keep you more
comfortable. And if it starts out warm, it can turn cold very quickly in
the winter, so having that warm layer along in your backpack is a must.
Sunglasses: the sun is brighter at 6,000 ft, especially if there is snow
reflecting the sunlight. Please send sunglasses and/ or a hat that shades
the eyes.
Chapstick: the air in the mountains is much drier than most people are
used to at home. It gets even drier in the winter! Chapstick/lip balm is
needed throughout the day to keep lips from becoming chapped and uncomfortable.
Pillow (if you forget one, just stuff some clothes into a sweatshirt and
that makes a great pillow!)
a blanket or sheet to cover the mattress is always nice (but not absolutely
necessary-remember, whatever you pack, you will have to carry all the way
up to your cabin yourself! Keep it light!)
Hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant (please bring stick or roll-on,
not spray - see what not to bring for why)
Sunscreen, chapstick, lotion (it's very dry up here)
Note on bug repellant: we don't really have too many bugs here, because
it is so dry, but if you must bring bug repellant, please bring lotion
and NOT SPRAY to avoid "bug spray accidents."
Camera - be sure to label it!!! Almost everyone brings up disposable cameras,
and they all look alike. LABEL it before leaving home!!
Water bottle: we will have water bottles on the trail, but if you want
to bring your own, that is great. They are also helpful for having in the
cabins at night so you don't need to get up to get a drink. If you bring
disposable bottles, please plan to re-use them (our water is good right out
of the tap) and recycle them when you are done! Hint: shorter water bottles
fit under the sink faucet to refill more easily.
Pencils, pens, paper. You will be given a journal and homework every night
- bring a pencil (or several)!
Pre-addressed, stamped envelopes and paper for writing home. We will mail
your letters every day, starting Tuesday.
Flashlight. Be sure to label it!
Your favorite stuffed animal: go ahead and bring your Teddy Bear!
You can even bring pictures to tape to your cabin walls! Make it your home-away-from-home
for the week. Other strategies for avoiding
homesickness
A great attitude! This is going to be fun and you are going to learn a
LOT! A positive attitude is your best insurance that you will have a great
time.
Gum, Candy, food of any kind. We feed you 3 meals a day plus snacks, and
you don't want any "uninvited guests" coming into the cabins and into your
luggage! (and they will!)
Radios - you will be listening to the "music of nature"! Wake up to the
mountain rap of birds and squirrels!
Expensive toys - NO electronic games, Stereos, Walkmans, MP3 players, iPods,
Gameboys, etc. We have two reasons for this:
We don't want anything to get lost or stolen that is expensive. This
has not been a problem in the past, mainly because we don't allow these
items to be brought up - we don't want any temptation to be there for
such a thing. It could ruin your week.
We want you to try living for 5 short days without electronic entertainment!
It could change your life - think about it... no TV, Video Games, or
Stereo for 5 days... wow... you'll have to get into nature and make your
own entertainment, and we think you'll like it! You just might learn
something.
Knives (even the handy Swiss Army Knife - sorry!), matches, lighter, or
anything else that you wouldn't be allowed to bring to school that could
hurt people or property. We will be in charge of starting the fires for campfires
- don't worry!
Make-up... c'mon! This is the great outdoors! We want you to spend cabin
time working on homework, practicing your skit, cleaning up or playing games.
It's definitely not a fashion contest. Except maybe for who has the best "hat-head"! Please - you can go without makeup of any kind except
sunscreen and chapstick for one week. Time to let your natural beauty shine through!
Sprays of any kind: hair spray, bug spray (bring lotion if you must), cologne,
etc. The cabins are too small with too many people using them that might
be allergic or otherwise affected by breathing the sprays.
Inappropriate clothing: no tank tops, short shorts, belly shirts, low rider
pants that show your undies... you know, the ususal stuff you shouldn't wear
to school! No inappropriate logos or slogans on tee shirts, either.
Money - if you are purchasing an outdoor school tee shirt, your teacher
should handle the money, so give it to your teacher asap.
