One Week to Training Camp!
Can you believe that? Here are a few details that you will want to know.
Sleeping:
You will be sleeping in either Cabins or Tents. The Cabins have mattresses but the tents do not. So if you are assigned to a tent you will want to bring a pad to sleep on. If you do not want to take the pad to country, you can leave it at AIM and we will let the next group use it.
Here is how we divided the sleeping arrangements:
For the Girls the breakdown looks like this:
Tents:
· Nicaragua
· Swaziland-One Month
· Kenya-One Month
· Central American Expedition Team
Cabins:
· Amazon Jungle
· India
· Kenya-Two Month
· Swaziland-Two Month
· Philippines
For the Boys you will all be in a cabin together.
Everyone will want to bring a sleeping bag and a great idea is to bring a sheet as it does get hot in GA and for some, it gets hot in country. Most of you will want to sleep on top of your sleeping bag.
Food:
You will not be able to take food in the cabins or the tents. The ants are horrible here in GA and they will get
in your sleeping bags and they will bite. So no Food! There will be a place to put food inside so make sure it is marked well with your name.
in your sleeping bags and they will bite. So no Food! There will be a place to put food inside so make sure it is marked well with your name.
Cell Phones:
A friendly reminder that you are not to have cell phones while at Training Camp. You will be able to call your parents upon arrival if you would like to.
Laundry:
This is the largest Training Camp ever! Count on not having your laundry done while at Training Camp.
Extra Luggage:
You can only have one suitcase in the cabin or tent. All your other items will be put inside in one room. Count on not getting to that luggage as your may be on the bottom of the stack.
Items you will DEFINETLY want:
The two most common items that individuals do not bring are a flashlight and a toothbrush holder. It is dark on our property with very limited outside lighting.
Your toothbrush and toothpaste will not be kept in your cabin; you will want to put your toothbrush in something to protect it from germs.
Rain:
It is forecasted to rain most the week. Plan accordingly! The dirt in GA is red clay and will ruin your shoes and clothes to the point that you will want to throw most of the them away at the end of Training Camp.
Capris or knee-length shorts. Be comfortable.
As far as money, don’t bring a lot. You will only need money for personal purchases. A check card would be your best bet.
Yes, it’s a debit card. Make sure the Visa symbol is on it.
Yes, definitely contact your bank and let them know you will be in Africa for a month. Otherwise, the bank could put a hold on your card and stop all purchases. You can bring some American money, but please don’t bring too much cash. Theft is high in Swaziland so we have to be very careful. 😀
I spoke with Chad @ AIM, and there are no entrance or exit fees for Swaziland.
As far as money, it really depends on how much you want to spend. If you have a bank card, you will be able to withdraw money. There might be expenses on your off days or free time that you would need to pay for yourself.
Mosquito nets are your personal choice for Swaziland. The net over a sleeping bag is the basic idea.
This week is going to be crazy for everyone. If you haven’t already experienced it, you will. Satan will try and keep you distracted. Biblically speaking, Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He means business. But our God is bigger! PLEASE continue to go to the Throne of grace where Jesus is interceding on your behalf! It doesn’t matter if you have 2 skirts or 10,000. Be spiritually prepared!
Logistically, I would suggest bringing 5-7 skirts. Don’t overload yourself with clothes. We have a washer & dryer!!! (if it still works).
The team arrives on Friday night. Training begins Saturday morning and we will depart for the airport on Wednesday afternoon.
We love you all. Know that we are continually praying for you!
Tonya, Doyle & Teresa
I agree with Meghann and Teresa. Let this be part of your fast. We really don’t need to bring all of the conveniences of home to a third world country. And I was just told that because it’s so windy in the wintertime, you won’t be able to tell that you did anything to your hair anyway. 😀
Love you,
Tonya
What exactly is the dress code for training camp?
Also.. this doesn’t have to do with training camp, but, How much money should we bring?
What is a check card? Is that a debit card? and how do you get that if its not a debit card?
I have a mastercard debit card (not Visa). Is this ok? Is a debit card ok for Africa or should I bring cash? Will my card work in Africa or do I need to notify my bank for approval?
Is there an exit fee for Swaziland?
Also, I want to have enough so that I don’t hold back the team from any activities. On the list is says bring enough money. Is there a range?
Also, what do they mean by mosquito net? The only ones i could find, are supposed to hang over a sleeping bag, is that what I need?
AAA has an awesome “travel-debit-card-like-thing”…it’s only reloadable up to 3 times i think but i use it for all my going across the world trips 😉 so if any of you or your parents are AAA members, you should check it out! it works just like a debit card, but if someone steals it (yoikes), then they don’t have access to your whole bank accountjust whatever you put on it.
I am sorry I have so many questions.. Is there a preferred bug spray that AIM reccommends? Also, the handbook says we need shower shoes, can we use flip flops instead?
I am right there with Autumn!! =)
Hey guys!
Um, so I got some bug spray from REI, my dads a doctor and so he said that I need the one with DEET. Mine has about 40% deet, and the type I got was…”REPEL insect repellent – sportsman max”
Hope this helps!! 🙂
Hi!
Is there a certain adapter that is needed for the outlets in Swaziland? If so, is anyone bringing one?
something to lessen your bug worries-
i have a friend who just arrived in Botswana a week ago (which is really close to Swazi) and she said the bugs aren’t bad at all since it’s their winter. buttt she also said their house has killed about 200 cockroaches. at least cockroaches don’t spread malaria!…right? haha
and i am taking a converter that a another friend who went to africa last year used…but i have no idea where she got it. and i was surprised AIM didn’t mention getting one? so idk what to tell yano help there.
Do all of us need to bring one because I am doubting theres that many outlets wherever we are gonna be going lol?
I don’t have one either. 🙁 I did find one online last night though! I’m going to try and get it shipped to me, but I don’t know if it will make it in time.
This has been the most helpful Q&A ever, by the way. Yall are answering questions before I ever think to ask them! It’s awesome! :))) 4 more days!
sooo….I never am prepared! how many skirts is everyone taking? And are we just bringing t-shirts?
…ok one more. how long are we at the training camp!?
Two more days!!!
I wasn’t planning on bringing anything that would need an outlet. I was just planning on taking a break completely from life as I know it.
Are you guys talking about an adapter for hair dryers and straighteners and such.
I was thinking more to charge my ipod before the flight home…but I’ve about decided that’s not going to be necessary as I’m thinking I’m not going to be using it.
I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. So surreal.
And thank you so much for the reminder to keep going to the throne! It really has been a crazy week, and it’s so easy to get all caught up in the planning and the hype and forget to be quiet and let God begin preparing my heart.
So that was an awesomely good break in the middle of my day. 🙂
Yeah, I am only going to be needing an outlet for my camera battery. Want to take lots and lots and LOTS of pictures! 🙂 🙂 🙂
SEE YOU ALL SOON!
Hey, what kind of adapter should I get, again? I was thinking for charging things and my blow dryer 😛
I went to AAA to get a credit card and it worked great and was super easy to get 🙂 Thank you for the advice
I didnt think we would be able to use any or most electronic things… am I wrong? Cuz I need a charger for my camera and ipod as well.
And is everybody bringing hair dryers and straighteners and everything… cuz thats like 13 straighteners and dryers lol
Well Gals…I went to wal-mart tonight and got a international Converter set!! woot-woot! We can used it for anything…(i hope) I had to have it..PICTURES!!! ha. Maybe we should decide who brings what..( straighteners and dryers) yayy!!
silly girlswe don’t need straighteners or blowdryers! if i can go with out…anyone can. haha.
Staci! that’s so right on! It’s so easy to get caught up in all the busyness and not stop to be in the Lord’s prescence and hear from Him at this time. He wants my attention and my focus. I am learning that so much.
As for all the electronics(hair stuff). Use your own discretion. I challenge you that this is a time to get away from your usual conveiences and try something different. There is no rule that says you can’t bring this stuff but really think about it. If it’s going to be something that consumes your time, which it is very easy for it to be, when you are there as far as spending your time getting ready and being a distraction then I really think you shouldn’t bring it. Step out of your comfort zone. I am not bringing any of that stuff. I challenge you to do the same!
I love you girls, I just want to see you stretched, we could even all go for it as a team!
Love you,
Teresa
AMEN!
That is all.
I don’t want to offend anybody, but this is something that’s been on my heart this past week.
I wasn’t planning on bringing anything,no straighteners, no hair dryers, nothing. I’m not even really bringing makeup. I’m bringing mascara and that’s it. I am excited to be stretched not just Spirtually but also ridding myself of what I rely on for confidence instead of relying on Him. I’ve been looking forward to getting out of my comfort zone and stepping away from the materialist culture we live in and the idea that in order to be successful we must always have perfect hair and makeup.
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 45:11 ,” The King is enthralled with your beauty, honor Him for He is Lord.” In all reality, it doesn’t matter what we look like, God loves us regardless. And, He doesn’t care if our hair is perfect or if we have make-up. We are going to serve, not to impress. God wants us to humble ourselves. I have struggled so much since each of you posted your bio picture. I have struggled with comparing myself with each of you, because you all are awesome beautiful women of GOd inside and out. I was feeling so initmidated after seing your picturs and reading your testimonies. But.. God has continues reminding me that each of us is on this team for a reason. He has also continued reminding me that we are all equipped in our UNIQUE way to serve Him and that regardless of anything else, we are beautiful in His eyes.
I look forward to shining HIs love with the rest of you to the Swazi people. I also look forward to seeing how God uses each of our unique abilities on this trip!
Can’t wait to meet each of you tomorrow!!
~Autumn!
I don’t have an adapter but I was wondering if maybe I could use one of the ones you guys have to charge my camera battery while we are there since i plan on taking a bazillion pictures. it would only probably need to be charged once the whole time.