Packing Lists

No matter how many nights you are staying make sure you or your teacher checks the weather before you come to be sure you have the right stuff to keep you safe, protected, warm, and comfortable on your trip!

Remember, you'll be carrying your sleeping gear to the cabin so make sure its not too heavy! We can't wait to see you!

Clothes and Day Supplies:

  • WATER BOTTLE
    • If your student does not have a water bottle, they will be provided one by the Cooper Center. 
  • 1-2 pairs of long pants
    • These could be jeans, khakis, etc. If you are coming during early Fall or late Spring try to have lighter pants. Shorts are discouraged for safety reasons. 
  • 1 pair of sturdy walking shoes
    • Do not bring sandals or any open shoes. Cactus spines in the foot are no fun.
  • 2 tee-shirts
    • No inappropriate designs or wording (same as school rules).
    • No tank tops. This is to protect you from the sun.
  • 1 long sleeve shirt
    • Sometimes even when it’s hot out during the day it can get chilly once the sun goes down so even if you’re coming in September or May bring one of these just in case.
  • 2 pairs of socks
    • If you’re coming between late October and March you should bring 1 warm pair of socks so your feet don’t get cold at night.
  • 2 pairs of underwear
  • 1 set of sleeping clothes
  • 1 sun hat or baseball cap
    • This is very important to protect you from the sun and really helps keep you cooler.
  • 1 warm hat and gloves
    • If you’re coming between late October and March you should bring 1 warm hat and a pair of gloves.
  • 1 sweatshirt or sweater
    • If you’re coming between October and early April you should bring 1 sweatshirt.
  • 1 waterproof jacket
    • Check the weather: it does rain sometimes and we still teach in the rain… just not thunderstorms. So make sure you’ll stay dry and warm and bring 1 jacket if there’s a chance of rain. You can ask your teacher to check the weather, too. Please no umbrellas.
  • Sunscreen
    • You should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, no matter what time of year!

Sleeping gear:

  • Sleeping bag/blankets/sheets
    • Make sure this is thick enough for the time of year you are coming. Just a comforter is not very warm because it doesn’t close like a sleeping bag does to keep your heat in. If the weather looks cold and you don’t have warm enough sleeping gear please tell your teacher as soon as possible.
  • Pillow
  • Brush or comb
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Flashlight with good batteries

Other Supplies You May Wish to Bring:

  • Camera
    • Please don’t use the camera during activities. There will be lots of time to take pictures to remember your stay.
  • Binoculars
    • There is lots of wildlife around to see!
  • Book
    • If you need a book to help you fall asleep this might be a good idea.
  • Special blanket or stuffed friend
    • If this is your first time away from home, bring something from home to make you feel better! 

Supplies we ask you not to bring:

  • Electronics
    • We want you to enjoy the sounds and sights of the desert so try to leave all electronics at home.

DOWNLOAD 2-NIGHT PACKING LIST: English | Spanish

Clothes and Day Supplies:

  • WATER BOTTLE
    • If your student does not have a water bottle, they will be provided one by the Cooper Center. 
  • 2 pairs of long pants
    • These could be jeans, khakis, etc. If you are coming during early Fall or late Spring try to have lighter pants. Shorts are discouraged for safety reasons.
  • 1 pair of sturdy walking shoes
    • Do not bring sandals or any open shoes. Cactus spines in the foot are no fun.
  • 2-3 tee-shirts
    • No inappropriate designs or wording (same as school rules)
    • No tank tops. This is to protect you from the sun.
  • 1 long sleeve shirt
    • Sometimes even when it’s hot out during the day it can get chilly once the sun goes down and it's good to be able to layer your clothes.
  • 2-3 pairs of socks
    • If you are coming between late October and March, you should bring 1 warm pair of socks so your feet don’t get cold.
  • 2-3 pairs of underwear
  • 1 set of sleeping clothes
    • If you are coming between late October and March, make sure they are warm
  • 1 sun hat or baseball cap
    • This is very important to protect you from the sun and really helps keep you cooler.
  • 1 warm hat and gloves
    • We do things outside all day and even into the night so make sure you bring these to stay warm.
  • 1 thick sweatshirt or sweater
    • If you’re coming between October and early April you should bring 1 sweatshirt.
  • 1 waterproof jacket
    • Check the weather; it does rain sometimes and we still teach in the rain… just not thunderstorms. So make sure you’ll stay dry and warm and bring 1 jacket if there’s a chance of rain. You can ask your teacher to check the weather, too. Please no umbrellas.
  • Sunscreen
    • You should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, no matter what time of year!

Sleeping gear:

  • Sleeping bag/blankets/sheets
    • Make sure this is thick enough for the time of year you are coming. Just a comforter is not very warm because it doesn’t close like a sleeping bag does to keep your heat in. If the weather looks cold and you don’t have warm enough sleeping gear please tell your teacher as soon as possible.
  • Pillow
  • Brush or comb
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Flashlight with good batteries

Other Supplies You May Wish to Bring:

  • Camera
    • Please don’t use the camera during activities. There will be lots of time to take pictures to remember your stay.
  • Binoculars
    • There is lots of wildlife around to see!
  • Book
    • If you need a book to help you fall asleep this might be a good idea.
  • Special blanket or stuffed friend
    • If this is your first time away from home, bring something from home to make you feel better!