Trip Finder
California
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

Keep in mind that California has a very diverse climate! Warm layers are very important, as evening temperatures can dip down in the low 40s.

Duffel Bag

70 Liters; No wheels, please!

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70 L

Day Pack

20 – 30 liter daypack/school backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26 L
Buy in our gear store

For carrying all of your gear

Sleeping Bag

Synthetic sleeping bag rated 20° – 30° Fahrenheit with a compression stuff sack

Qty: 1

Ground Pad

Insulating ground pad

Qty: 1
Therm-a-rest RidgeRest or Therm-a-Rest ProLite

Your duffel bag needs to be able to fit all of your belongings. Your sleeping bag & ground pad will take up a lot of the room in your duffel, so we encourage you to pack light around those bulky items.

Water Bottles

Minimum 32 oz water bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 1L wide mouth
Buy in our gear store

Cup with lid

Sturdy plastic or metal; thermal plastic mug is best

Qty: 1
16 oz Nalgene wide mouth

Bowl with lid

Qty: 1
Tupperware or Nalgene

Plastic Spoon

Good idea to bring an extra

Qty: 1
Light My Fire spark

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Sunglasses

With 100% UV protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses holders

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Camp Chair

Qty: 1
Crazy Creek
Buy in our gear store

Required for your trip

Trail/Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, close-toed, sturdy shoes

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can by open-toed but do need to have a back strap

Qty: 1
Teva, Keen, or Chaco

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 4 pairs
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes

Long Underwear/Base Layer Top

1 synthetic, medium-weight long sleeve top, 1 hooded sunshirt

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Crew or Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody, North Face Wander Sun Hoodie

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t shirts, others may be cotton

Qty: 4
Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt, Marmot Windridge),
Buy in our gear store

Lightweight Top

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater, or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 fleece)

Fleece Jacket

Synthetic, non-cotton. This needs to be heavier than the lightweight top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla or R2 Jacket

Insulating Jacket

Synthetic or down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down “puffy” jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia Nano Puff

Rain Jacket w/Hood

100% waterproof rain jacket with a hood - no ponchos!

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Sports Bra

For girls

Qty: 3

Required Clothing Items

Long Underwear/Base Layer Bottom

One (1) synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms; One (1) pair of sweatpants

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight bottoms

Quick-dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 3
Patagonia Baggies

Bathing Suits

Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as your bathing suit

Qty: 2

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (a couple cotton pairs are permitted)

Qty: 6

Fleece pants or Sweatpants

Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or heavyweight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Pants, Patagonia R1 Pants
Buy in our gear store

Long Pants

A pair of jeans, khakis, or yoga pants

Qty: 1

Required Clothing Items

Gloves

Wool or fleece, non-cotton medium weight gloves

Qty: 1

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1

Baseball Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Required Additional Items

Dopp Kit*

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, prescription medication, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L – M

COVID-19 Vaccination Card Copies

2 photocopies of your COVID-19 vaccination card

Qty: 2

Small First Aid Kit*

Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer

Qty: 1

Prescription glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts

Qty: 2 pair

Required Hygiene Items.
*Please keep in mind that you will be carrying all toiletries with you on the plane, so make sure they are travel-sized!

Wallet

Personal wallet with $150 spending money

Qty: 1

Bandana / Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 2
Buy in our gear store

Whistle

Small, pea-less plastic will do

Qty: 1

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best

Qty: 2
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Buy in our gear store

Additional Required Items

Digital Camera*

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9 X

GoPro

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Used GoPros available for sale on Moondance Gear Store)
Buy in our gear store

External Charger

Portable charger / power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

Backpacker’s pillow

A luxury to have while camping or on travel days

Qty: 1

ENO Hammock

Students love to have this item for relaxation time

Qty: 1

A good book

Paperback books are less bulky

Qty: 1

Personal Protective Equipment: Mask

(2) reusable, breathable masks that completely cover nose and mouth and fit snuggly; Moondance will not provide masks. To be used where it is required by trip location or outfitter.

Qty: 2
Buy in our gear store

Notebook with pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Not required but highly recommended.
*Since we don’t allow cell phones during the course of our trips, you may not use your phone as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • ID, money
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Card
  • Personal Protective Equipment: Mask (2)

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Lodging

Sleeping

4-person, single gender tents at frontcountry campsites.

Eating

Please bring all personal eating utensils listed on the packing list. Moondance will provide all group cooking gear.

If you have any special dietary restrictions / considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Flights

California 1, June 8-June 21, 2023

Arrive
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Thursday, June 8, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM
Depart
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Wednesday, June 21, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM

California 2, June 25-July 8, 2023

Arrive
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Sunday, June 25, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM
Depart
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Saturday, July 8, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM

California 3, July 12-July 25, 2023

Arrive
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM
Depart
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Tuesday, July 25, 2023
  • Between 10 AM-1 PM

Important Travel Notes:

  • If you’d like to book your travel through our partnered travel agency, Exito, please follow this link to start the booking process. They are familiar with all Moondance flights.
  • Keep in mind the group travels to and from the airport together, so arriving and departing within the specified windows below is very important
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 2-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays
  • If your child flies as an unaccompanied minor, please remember to pay the unaccompanied minor fee for both legs of the trip when booking travel
    • We will contact you in the Spring to give your child’s trip leader’s names and contact information for the unaccompanied minor contact. In the meantime, please give the airline your information.
  • If your child flies as an unaccompanied minor, a leader wearing a Moondance t-shirt will meet your child at the flight’s arrival gate. All other students will meet their leader at the Delta baggage claim.
  • Ideally, fly direct and depart early to prevent any problems with flight changes and delays.
Print This Tab Visit Trip Page Shop Our Gear Store Download Gear Guide