What Not to Pack

WHAT SHOULDN’T I PACK FOR CAMP?

Before reading our specific “What not to pack” list, please take a moment to glance at this document and this one.   We hope it inspires you to be one of the many families that respect camp policies and embrace the “Walden Way”.

Our Packing List can be found here and there is very little need for anything beyond those items listed. In fact, it can be damaging to the camp experience when other items are sent. The magic of camp is greatest when campers are free from the pressures of inequity. In school, students are segregated by their academic performance, the groups they move with, and the “stuff” they have in their possession. Camp is unique because it is often the only time in a child’s life when they can begin an experience with other children on a truly level playing field. There is another very real reason not to send items beyond those listed. So much effort has been expended to ensure that camp is a safe environment. Many items, particularly electrical appliances, although seemingly harmless, can pose a risk to the safety of campers. We hope you understand that this policy is re-examined regularly and formulated with the assistance of experienced camp and safety professionals including our local fire department. Parents can control what is sent to camp. Camp staff can control what is kept at camp. Please share in this responsibility of making camp a safe and productive environment by ensuring that only items that appear on the Packing List are sent.

Please do not send items not listed on the packing list particularly items that:

CAN BE HAZARDOUS

• Butane or propane filled appliances
• Lamps
• Candles
• Lighters
• Fire crackers
• Skateboards
• Glass Containers

ELECTRIC OR ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING (ALTHOUGH THIS ISN’T THE WHOLE LIST!):

• Fans
• Kettles
• Hair dryers
• Power Bars
• Curling irons
• Hair straighteners
• Walkie Talkie
• DVD players
• Heaters
• Stoves
• Electric blankets
• Hotpots
• Televisions
• Electronic games
• Cell Phones
• ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE PLUGGED IN OR CHARGED.

Please note!  There are 2 exceptions to this rule further described here.

CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN-UP

• Silly string

ARE CONDUCIVE TO AGGRESSIVE PLAY

• Tradeable or gambling items
• Water balloons
• Weapons or anything that looks like a weapon including water guns, hatchets, or knives

PROMOTE JEALOUSY

• Food or packages in contravention of our Food and Package Policy (see below)
• Portable furniture, in particular, shelves of any kind are not permitted
• Air or foam mattresses

ARE FRAGILE, EXPENSIVE, OR INAPPROPRIATE

• Air horns
• Any item with a video display
• Any items requiring dry cleaning or hand laundering or that cannot withstand commercial laundry machines and dryers
• Bicycles
• Elevated shoes
• Expensive clothing including dresses or dress shirts
• Expensive jewellery
• Head shaving or body piercing equipment

LAWN CHAIRS AND LOCK BOXES

Compact foldable lawn chairs will not be confiscated if used exclusively on the porches of cabins or as permitted by the Unit Head. Also, personal storage boxes will not be confiscated if they are left unlocked or if the lock used is a combination lock and the combination is confidentially shared with camp. Although the Walden community is one where there is ample seating and locks are unnecessary, we know these items provide some comfort to our campers.

IF YOU BRING IT, WE MUST TAKE IT.

AND IF WE TAKE IT, WE DONATE IT.