Eagle’s Nest Staff Suggested Packing List
Some things to keep in mind when packing for the summer:
- You will work hard and get dirty, so leave delicate clothing and jewelry at home.
- The weather varies greatly from night to day, and throughout the summer, at the beginning of the summer, nights can be pretty chilly (around 55°F or 12°C). Make sure to bring warm layers.
- Personal storage is limited to one set of four small shelves per staff member and underneath your bed.
- It is much easier to keep your area clean if you limit your packing to the necessities!
- It is a good idea to label your clothes and toiletries.
- Keep it simple and lean more towards under packing than over packing. We have many stores in close proximity if you need to buy things during the summer.
- Eagle’s Nest has a Gear Lending Library (GLL). If you do not already own some of the items on the packing list, we may be able to lend you something for the summer.
- It rains a LOT in Pisgah Forest, it’s always nice to have two pairs of closed toed shoes so you never have to wear wet shoes.
Clothing and Gear
- Shorts
- T Shirts
- Long pants (jeans, sweatpants, etc.)
- A few long sleeve shirts
- Sweatshirt/sweater/fleece
- 1 bandana or hat to use as headgear
- Closed-toed shoes (sneakers, boots)
- Easy slide-on shoes (flip-flops, crocs, slides, etc.)
- Daypack
- Raincoat**
- Swimsuit (see dress and appearance codes)
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp/flashlight
- 2 water bottles**
- Sunscreen
- Watch
Bedding
- Twin sheets*
- Warm blanket*
- Pillow cases*
- Pillow*
- Towels*
- Laundry bag*
- Sleeping bag (we have a limited number of sleeping bags available for staff use)
*International staff do not need to bring this item
**Can be borrowed from the GLL
Optional
- Camera
- Electronics (to be used in staff lounge)
- Reading light
- Alarm clock
- Costumes
- Books
- Small fan
- Shower caddy
- Musical instruments
- Sports gear (cleats, tennis racquet, etc.)
- Stationary and letter writing supplies, journal
- Book to read to your cabin
- Hiking boots**
- Camping gear (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, etc.)
- Climbing gear
- Bicycle
- Kayak or Canoe
- Riding boots
Dress Code
At Eagle’s Nest we have a dress and appearance code because we want everyone to feel comfortable and safe interacting with others, no matter what they are wearing. We also want clothing to be functional with our active camp lifestyle. Clothing choices often represent the many facets of a participant’s identity including ethnicity, culture, religious beliefs, gender identity and others. Be careful not to shame or objectify campers because of their dressing choices, but also have boundaries for what they can wear. Model that for them. All participants should wear clothing at camp and on Hante Adventures that is comfortable and allows them to be authentically who they are while also being respectful of the comfort levels of others. We want to make sure our clothing fits the environment we are in: an outdoor-focused summer camp.
We expect staff and participants to dress in a manner that is functional and appropriate for a community of children and teens. Clothing should cover and be able to continue to cover private parts and undergarments (with the exception of waist bands and shoulder straps) regardless of the activity. Fabric covering private parts may not be mesh or see through. Except when swimming, participants and staff should always wear a shirt (shirts and dresses must have sides, a front and straps / fabric over the shoulders, and must cover undergarments with the exception of bra straps and waist bands), shorts, skirts, dresses or pants (that cover buttocks) and shoes. For swimming, participants should wear bathing suits that cover and continue to cover private areas, and may not be see-through. Bathing suits can be one-piece, two pieces, shorts and a sports bra or any combination. Campers should not wear clothing that advertises tobacco/vaping products or alcohol, or wear articles of clothing containing profanity, sexual connotations, racial slurs, hate speech or negative messages. Body piercings should not create safety issues and participants or staff will be asked to remove jewelry that does create a safety issue.