Alaska Packing Tips

What to bring
The dress is generally casual jeans, T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. You might consider one "good" outfit for church or an evening out- nothing formal needed. DO NOT bring skin-tight cloths, tops with spaghetti straps or bare midriff, tank tops, etc. No bare midriff allowed. If in doubt, put on the outfit and bend over forward and backward. If any skin shows in between, don't bring it.

Lay out everything you want to take, then pack 1/2 of that. Bring only what you are prepared to carry yourself. Free laundry facilities are available at Hope, so you don't need to bring lots of outfits. Wartburg will cover soap and dyer sheets.

Health
Don't forget your prescription medications for the whole time.

Bring your health insurance information. It might be wise to contact the customer service number for your insurance company to tell them that you will be in Alaska from April 26 through May 19. Some insurance companies contract with preferred providers (PPOs) and require advanced notification to cover treatment.

Kenai Fjord cruise is generally on smooth water, but we do spend about a 1/2 hour in open water which can get choppy. If you have any concern about motion sickness, check with your pharmacist and bring something along. All sorts of pills and patches are available for sea sickness. Again, it is generally a smooth ride, but be prepared if motion is a concern.

Hopefully you won't need anything, but preparation is wise.

Other things to pack
You might want to get a phone card if you don't have one. Sam's Club and Wal-Mart have cheap ones. Most cell phones are out of range between Alaska and the Lower 48.

Bring paper or notebook and pens for journaling.

Don't forget your camera. You might want to bring along film as it is probably cheaper here than in Alaska. Also, a small pair of binoculars will be great for sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

Money
The best suggestion is to have a small amount of cash and use ATMs, debit, or credit cards for the rest of your purchases. Please don't keep a lot of cash. We will be staying in communal housing, and while I would hope everyone is honest, best not to set up temptation. Keep in mind that everything in Alaska is more expensive than you might be used to.

You will need money for your own food, movies and entertainment of your choice, bike rentals, shopping,  transportation, and for any additional activities that you choose to do beyond scheduled class activities. Hope Community Resources will cover transportation related to your work. They are also taking care of transporting us to and from the airport.

Bedding is provided, but you will need to bring towels and wash cloths. Bring along old ones, or if you must purchase, get really cheap ones. Throw them away when you are ready to leave, and that gives you more suitcase room for souvenirs, etc.

Bring your own toiletries. If you forget something, don't worry. Shopping is readily available.