Big Wild
Information for Enrolled Students
We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store. Please note - there will be no time to do laundry on this trip so please pack accordingly. Keep in mind that June and July can still be chilly out west! Warm layers are very important, as evening temperatures can dip down in the low 30’s.
20-30 Liters Daypack/Backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle, and snacks
70 liters - no wheels, please!
HIGHLY recommend; a luxury to have while camping or on travel days
Insulating Ground Pad
Synthetic sleeping bag rated 15°- 25° Fahrenheit with a compression stuff sack
Medium weight boots - Break them in before arrival to avoid blisters!!!
These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!
An old pair of running/tennis shoes/sneakers, not to be hiked in, able to get dirty
Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton
Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks
Non-cotton, medium-weight hiking socks; warmer socks
Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit
Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or heavyweight bottoms
Joggers, jeans, khakis, leggings
Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms
Synthetic, non-cotton shorts
100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants
Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)
Synthetic, Non-cotton - This needs to be heavier than the Lightweight Top
Synthetic or Down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down "puffy" jacket
Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket
Medium-weight long-sleeved (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT Cotton)
100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!
For Girls
Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun
Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts
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!
Wool or fleece, waterproof, non-cotton medium weight gloves
With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!
Sturdy plastic or metal; thermal plastic mug is best
Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.
With 100% UV Protection
Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen
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.
Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.
The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.
Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.
If you do not pay online in advance for the return flight's UM Fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover it (varies by airline)
Non-plastic
Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best
Personal wallet with $150 spending money and valid identification
Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!
If you do not pay online in advance for baggage fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover checking their bag (varies by airline)
Paperback books are less bulky; NO kindles or e-readers
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
For journaling
Synthetic, non-cotton liners that help wick moisture
When packing for your student, we kindly recommend involving them in the process. This ensures they are familiar with where their items are and what they’ve packed, making their experience smoother and more enjoyable. Checking the weather of your student’s trip destination(s) can help ensure they have proper gear.
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:
These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!
3- or 4-person, single-gender Marmot or Big Agnes tents at frontcountry and backcountry campsites.
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
Required; must be within 10 years of the trip
Moondance adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history and continuously check the CDC website for updates.
Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:
| Link to Airline Policies | Required for Ages | Available for Ages | Notes about Unaccompanied Minor Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines UM | Ages 5-12 | Ages 13-17 |
|
| American Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
|
| Delta Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
|
| JetBlue UM | Ages 5-13 | Ages 14-17 |
|
| Southwest UM | Ages 5-11 | Not Offered |
|
| United Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
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We recommend you book with our partner travel agency (Exito) for this trip. Please complete this form, and they will be in touch in 3-5 days via email with flight options.
Phone or WhatsApp: +1.970.237.4399
Email: vip@exitotravel.com
800.832.5229
615.610.5900
9am-5pm M-F CST
info@moondanceadventures.com
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 23350
Nashville, TN 37202
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
209 Tenth Avenue South
Suite 322
Nashville, TN 37203
Grades 6th-7th
First times stay with you forever, and our Discovery trips will give you an unforgettable introduction to outdoor adventure. For those with an appetite for the wild, or those who have never slept beneath the stars, these multi-sport adventures will introduce you to a lifetime of exploration.
Grades 7th-9th
From the golden coast, to the purple mountains majesty, expand your homeland on one of our Classic Trips. These expeditions are designed to show you vast beauty and adventure. Multi-sport trips take you climbing, rafting, backpacking, paddling and discovering the most stunning wildernesses in the land of the free.
Grades 9th-12th
Leadership trips are crafted to hone your expedition skills in the most rugged, challenging and beautiful terrain we offer. One part wilderness immersion, one part leadership curriculum, these adventures are designed for those looking to increase their skills in the wild and in the world. Bring out your most confident and competent self on one of our Leadership trips.
There are spaces available for both genders for the upcoming season.
We are full for girls, but we have select spots for a boy.
We are full for boys, but we have select spots for a girl.
This trip is currently full and we are accepting students on a waitlist through enrollment request submissions. You may be enrolled in a trip and on another trip’s waitlist. There is no financial obligation to be placed on a waitlist, and you can be on as many waitlists as you would like.
Enroll