The Packing List

I give out a packing list to the group that is pretty comprehensive. I will skip the hopefully obvious items (clothing, shoes, shampoo, etc.). Here are some of the items you may not have thought of (or may be forgetting in your busy preparations):

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  Travel Toilet Paper - Charmin To Go is one brand and camping stores will have their own. This is something that if you need it, you need it. We really made use of it in Germany and didn't touch it in Australia - all depends on how well organized that aspect of WYD is.


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  Dollar Store Poncho(s) - it doesn't seem like we will need them, but these are great because they are $1 for 2. That way you can toss them out instead of having to dry it off and then attempt to fold it back up in your backpack or luggage.


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  Plastic Bags of Various Sizes and Types - quart and gallon sized Ziploc bags are great for containing small items in your bags and keeping wet items from making your entire luggage or backpack contents damp. I always have at least one large garbage bag that can contain my backpack, sleeping bag, and shoes at the vigil. If it starts to rain, I toss it all in there, tie it up and make use of my poncho. Thereby keeping my backpack dry for the hike home and my sleeping bag dry for my attempts at rest.


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  Duct Tape - your best friend. I have used this to keep a tray table on the airplane from constantly falling, repair a friend's sandal, seal a garbage bag before we were drenched in Toronto, and countless other small tasks. They sell smaller, slimmer rolls that are made expressly for travel. This goes everywhere with me.


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  Lip Balm with SPF 15 or Higher - lip gloss is useless, and you want SPF 15 or higher because sunburned lips are simply a cruel experience.


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  Watch - most teens and young adults rely on their cell phones to know the time. However, most US pilgrims will not have their cell phones (due to roaming costs) so make sure your pilgrims have wrist watches. I swear by fabric bands due to the heat.


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  Hundreds of Band-Aids - this is one for you group leaders. I took 200 band-aids to Cologne and came home with 7. Seriously. Between blisters, small cuts, tripping leading to scrapes and so forth, bandages get used quite a bit. Due to the heat, sweat, and dirt, they need to be changed frequently. Make sure to have antibacterial cream too.


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  One clean outfit packed separately (in a Ziploc or vacuum bag) that is your outfit for flying home. After the sweat and dirt of the overnight vigil and the general state of disarray all your other clothing will be in, having one clean outfit to fly home in will be appreciated by your seatmates.

For those in the U.S., don't forget that basilicas and churches in Europe frequently have dress codes. We are heading to Rome first, so we need to be prepared for the no shorts and no bare shoulders rules. Do you homework on that front.

These are just a few of the packing list items, but the rest are fairly obvious. Let me know if you'd like the complete list.