packing list
Aug. 6th, 2007 08:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tsukikageYay for packing lists!
2007 USA Summer Camp
What Should I Bring?
A positive attitude, a cheerful personality, an enthusiasm to teach, an eagerness to learn and . . .
. . . A Few Other Ideas To Help You Pack
A-LIST:
Passport
Airline Ticket (if you have an e ticket, just print the confirmation)
These two are the only items you will not survive forgetting. Do not pack your passport in your suitcase. Or other valuable items for that matter.
*It is most likely your tickets will be “e-tickets” in which case Gateway will only email you the confirmation number for check in.
You will not need a visa to enter Japan if you have an American* passport. If you are a citizen of another country* notify us right away to see if you need a visa – unless we have already been in communication regarding the visa. On the airplane you will receive a visa waiver form to fill out for immigrations.
Pocket money
$100-$150 is usually enough if you are thrifty, but not if you are thinking of doing lots of shopping. You may want to bring part of your money in traveler’s checks, which are redeemable if lost, but also bring some Japanese cash as you will need to get to a bank to cash traveler’s checks or exchange U.S. currency. Avoid exchanging money at U.S. airports – their rates are usually terrible! If you have time at Narita airport, there rates are good—same as the bank. ATM machines are available in the cities for major credit cards and debit cards.
Health Insurance Verification
If your health insurance does not cover you overseas, you will need a special travel policy. Most clinics here will not bill directly to overseas agencies, so you are likely to need to pay in cash and file the insurance claim when you return. Most fees are reasonable compared to the states and on the chance you need a large amount of cash to cover the fee, we can loan the money in lieu of the insurance claim.
CAMP WEAR: Camp fashion is very casual. T-shirts, shorts or whatever you find comfortable. There are washing machines at most the camp facilities but it is best to plan on a 6-day change of clothes so you will not have to bother with washing at camp sessions. While we are not very strict about a dress-code at camp, please avoid clothing that may cause our Japanese campers difficulty in concentrating on their studies. You will receive two nifty camp t-shirts, but we will not wear them everyday.
FOOT WEAR: As is the Japanese custom, some camp facilities require us to take off our shoes before entering. These facilities usually provide indoor slippers, but I highly recommend you bring your own slippers or a pair of sandals to be worn indoors only. Also, we will often do activities in the gym, where shoes that are worn outdoors are prohibited, so a clean pair of athletic shoes will be nice. Finally, since you are constantly taking your shoes on and off in Japan, something easy to get in and out of would be best for your everyday use.
AT CAMP:
Sun glasses
Extra prescription glasses a/o contact lenses
Sun block
Towel(s), wash cloth
Mosquito repellent
A water bottle
A fold-up umbrella or rain jacket
Flashlight
Toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap, etc
Necessary medicines or vitamins
NOTE: The voltage here is 100v. Small appliances, such as hair dryers and electric razors, from America will work fine at that voltage and not require a voltage converter.
FINAL IMPORTANT WARNING/RECOMMENDATION: Pack as light as possible! I have never had a counselor tell me, “I wish I had packed more clothes.” You are likely to be faced with all types of challenging transports with your luggage and those heavy suitcases with wheels are not so convenient when faced with stairs, hills and crowded trains or buses. My hero was the 90 pound female counselor who came and left with everything carried on her back last year. That is the way to go!
I'm going to need to decide if I want to get a second pair of tennis shoes or if I just want to not spend any time in the gym. (Can I just not go to the gym, or will that be being an irresponsible counselor?)
[EDIT: I'll be picking up some shoes tonight.]
2007 USA Summer Camp
What Should I Bring?
A positive attitude, a cheerful personality, an enthusiasm to teach, an eagerness to learn and . . .
. . . A Few Other Ideas To Help You Pack
A-LIST:
Passport
Airline Ticket (if you have an e ticket, just print the confirmation)
These two are the only items you will not survive forgetting. Do not pack your passport in your suitcase. Or other valuable items for that matter.
*It is most likely your tickets will be “e-tickets” in which case Gateway will only email you the confirmation number for check in.
You will not need a visa to enter Japan if you have an American* passport. If you are a citizen of another country* notify us right away to see if you need a visa – unless we have already been in communication regarding the visa. On the airplane you will receive a visa waiver form to fill out for immigrations.
Pocket money
$100-$150 is usually enough if you are thrifty, but not if you are thinking of doing lots of shopping. You may want to bring part of your money in traveler’s checks, which are redeemable if lost, but also bring some Japanese cash as you will need to get to a bank to cash traveler’s checks or exchange U.S. currency. Avoid exchanging money at U.S. airports – their rates are usually terrible! If you have time at Narita airport, there rates are good—same as the bank. ATM machines are available in the cities for major credit cards and debit cards.
Health Insurance Verification
If your health insurance does not cover you overseas, you will need a special travel policy. Most clinics here will not bill directly to overseas agencies, so you are likely to need to pay in cash and file the insurance claim when you return. Most fees are reasonable compared to the states and on the chance you need a large amount of cash to cover the fee, we can loan the money in lieu of the insurance claim.
CAMP WEAR: Camp fashion is very casual. T-shirts, shorts or whatever you find comfortable. There are washing machines at most the camp facilities but it is best to plan on a 6-day change of clothes so you will not have to bother with washing at camp sessions. While we are not very strict about a dress-code at camp, please avoid clothing that may cause our Japanese campers difficulty in concentrating on their studies. You will receive two nifty camp t-shirts, but we will not wear them everyday.
FOOT WEAR: As is the Japanese custom, some camp facilities require us to take off our shoes before entering. These facilities usually provide indoor slippers, but I highly recommend you bring your own slippers or a pair of sandals to be worn indoors only. Also, we will often do activities in the gym, where shoes that are worn outdoors are prohibited, so a clean pair of athletic shoes will be nice. Finally, since you are constantly taking your shoes on and off in Japan, something easy to get in and out of would be best for your everyday use.
AT CAMP:
Sun glasses
Extra prescription glasses a/o contact lenses
Sun block
Towel(s), wash cloth
Mosquito repellent
A water bottle
A fold-up umbrella or rain jacket
Flashlight
Toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap, etc
Necessary medicines or vitamins
NOTE: The voltage here is 100v. Small appliances, such as hair dryers and electric razors, from America will work fine at that voltage and not require a voltage converter.
FINAL IMPORTANT WARNING/RECOMMENDATION: Pack as light as possible! I have never had a counselor tell me, “I wish I had packed more clothes.” You are likely to be faced with all types of challenging transports with your luggage and those heavy suitcases with wheels are not so convenient when faced with stairs, hills and crowded trains or buses. My hero was the 90 pound female counselor who came and left with everything carried on her back last year. That is the way to go!
I'm going to need to decide if I want to get a second pair of tennis shoes or if I just want to not spend any time in the gym. (Can I just not go to the gym, or will that be being an irresponsible counselor?)
[EDIT: I'll be picking up some shoes tonight.]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-08-06 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-06 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-06 05:13 pm (UTC)And it seems my dad wasn't offput by this at all, so I should be picking up some shoes tonight.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-06 05:13 pm (UTC)"Also, we will often do activities in the gym, where shoes that are worn outdoors are prohibited, so a clean pair of athletic shoes will be nice. Finally, since you are constantly taking your shoes on and off in Japan, something easy to get in and out of would be best for your everyday use."