Packing List

What to Bring

It is recommended that you WRITE YOUR NAME on all of your belongings with a permanent marker.

You will bring a day pack, a 5-gallon bucket, and a sturdy large garbage sack. Here is what goes inside each.

Download the printable list for your convenience.

Download List

In Your Daypack

The day pack should include anything you might need while hiking. You will bring this with you with your 5-gallon bucket Monday morning June 24th.

  • Sturdy Water bottle
  • Tissues or wet wipes
  • Sunglasses (optional)
  • Chapstick with SPF
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Rain poncho or lightweight rain gear is very important.
  • Work gloves (1 pair) – For handcart pulling.
  • Sunblock SPF 30 or above
  • Insect repellant with DEET 30 strong or higher – mosquitos can be bad
  • Mosquito head net is highly recommended
  • Water shoes in ziplock bag for river crossings
  • Copy of the Book of Mormon and marking pen or pencil in Ziplock bag
  • Journal and pen provided by the stake

5-Gallon Bucket

Use a white 5-gallon bucket with a twist-on lid and seat cushion (such as a barstool seat cover) labeled with name and ward using duct tape. The buckets should not be colored or have a company logo. The following gear, other than the clothes and shoes you will be wearing, will need to fit into your 5-gallon plastic bucket. You will bring this bucket Monday morning, June 24th.

In Your Bucket

  • Pioneer clothing (can you please inset link to pioneer clothing page here)– 1 or 2 extra sets other than what you are wearing. No jeans or denim.  Wear 1 set of pioneer clothing when we meet at the Stake Center on June 24 th . There will not be a chance to change when we get to our destination.
  • Western style hat or wide brimmed floppy hat with chin strap to keep it from blowing away.
  • A bandana will be provided.
  • Shoes (wear one and place extra pair with sleeping bag) – Well-worn gym, cross-training, trail-running, or hiking shoes will work great. Wear something that fits you well and that you have walked in before. New or unused shoes can cause painful blisters. Be sure the shoes will fit with the socks you are bringing. Make sure you trim your toenails before the MCE. Long toenails will dig into your other toes and can cause sores or blisters.
  • Water shoes in plastic bag (1 pair) to be added to day pack – These are to cross the river. Do not wear flip-flops as they can become stuck or lost in the mud.
  • Socks (4-5 pair) – We recommend wool or wool blend socks. An excellent way to prevent blisters is to use a rayon, nylon or polypropylene liner sock next to the skin and a wool blend sock on the outside. This has shown to reduce blisters. Cotton socks should be avoided. You may want to bring a pair of socks just to wear while sleeping.
  • Underclothing (4 sets)
  • Winter hat or beanie with no logos – for cold evenings and nights
  • Sweatshirt (no logos) and pants to sleep in or wear at night. (Could be packed with sleeping bag)
  • Sweatpants (no logos) to sleep in. (Could be packed with sleeping bag)
Bucket examples
Wagon wheel

Water-proof Bag Contents

On Saturday, June 22, you will bring a water-proof bag such as a sturdy garbage bag to the stake center. Be sure it is marked with your name and ward on a piece of duct tape. It should contain the following:

  • Sleeping bag – warm, good quality.
  • Small pillow (your bucket lid can have a pad that you could use as a pillow at night)
  • Sleeping pad – small pad that can fit in garbage bag with sleeping bag and pillow
  • Coat – nights can get cold. (This can be rolled into a sleeping bag to save space)
  • 2nd pair of shoes – put in with your sleeping bag and coat

What Not to Pack

Bags and personal items will be checked thoroughly

  • Cell phones.
  • Other electronic Devices: Personal music and players, game systems of any kind, other
  • Electronic devices.
  • Watches.
  • Clothing or hats with logos or other printing.
  • Levis
  • Sports equipment such as footballs, frisbees, soccer balls, toys, etc.
  • Candy, snacks, or other secret treats.
  • Books or magazines, other than your scriptures.
  • Flashlights or headlights
  • The following should be left home because they attract mosquitos which will bite: lotions, aftershave, hairspray, gel, makeup and perfumes.