What To Bring On a Reteat

[follinge@gmail.com]

Though the 2015 Winter Retreat went well, I thought it might help others to have a list of what to bring.

1. As much water and reusable containers as you can.

2. Enough food for the entire stay as well as a container such as a bear box.

3. A meditation mat.

4. A chair.

5. Warm clothes including long johns, a warm hat, and gloves. Several pairs of warm socks.

6. A lighter.

7. A mess kit.

8. Toilet paper.

9. Wet ones (alcohol wipes)

10. Camping gear: tent and WARM sleeping bag.

11. A pocket knife

12. Meditation timer (if you use it)

13. Hiking boots.

14. Though I brought books, I didn't read a single one when I was there so entertainment isn't necessary. There was absolutely no "spare" time to fill.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, follinge, for posting your excellent recommendations for what people should consider to bring to future retreats. 

[follinge@gmail.com]

15. Clean plastic bags. From keeping things clean to holding garbage, there are lots of uses for them. The more the better.

16. Leather work gloves: for trash cleanup, fire work, and general protection from cacti, and much more.

[Zack]

I would add to bring good lighting -- ie, a good flashlight, headlamp, and possibly something like a lantern. I would have really liked a headlamp with me, and a lantern or something that casts a broad light is helpful if you have to, among other things, take a dump when it's dark out.

I bought a lot of garlic and ginger to throw in pots of noodles or lentils, and that's a cheap, easy, and not-too-perishable way to stay healthy.

Also, I will most definitely make sure to have a notebook with me for dream journaling. Most nights there I slept deeply and had long, interesting dreams.

Also, tweezers for cactus thorns!

[Cal]

I would add to bring good lighting -- ie, a good flashlight, headlamp, and possibly something like a lantern. I would have really liked a headlamp with me, and a lantern or something that casts a broad light is helpful if you have to, among other things, take a dump when it's dark out.

I bought a lot of garlic and ginger to throw in pots of noodles or lentils, and that's a cheap, easy, and not-too-perishable way to stay healthy.

Also, I will most definitely make sure to have a notebook with me for dream journaling. Most nights there I slept deeply and had long, interesting dreams.

Also, tweezers for cactus thorns!

Sounds like you had a fruitful retreat, Zack. 

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, friends, for continuing to add more recommendations to this thread.  I happen to have a bit of a fetish for camping gear, and I was at Walmart this morning picking up a needed item for my two-burner propane stove.  There I looks at mess kits, and found a decent one only cost there less than $8.

[Jhanananda]

Whenever I feel I have a little money to spare I go to thrift stores to look for useful items.  Whenever I see useful camping gear I pick it.  Consequently I have several sleeping bags, tents, kettles, pots and pans, and mess kits to share with people who join us on retreat.  So, chances are one need not spend money of purchasing camping gear, or go to a lot of trouble to bring camping gear, when coming to a GWV retreat.  However, do bring what you have, if you can, and are more comfortable with whatever gear you have.