ROTR - Survival Guide

Volunteer Survival Guide

What to bring
You need to be self-contained for the whole time you’re on tour. Don’t plan to shop or do laundry. You might get to pick up something in a pinch or get your kid to throw something in with his or her laundry on laundry day, but you can’t count on it.
Pack light. You have to carry your own stuff. Think like a corps member – try to have enough stuff to be comfortable, but your week will be a happier one if you keep it to what you can carry to the van in one trip.

Essentials
Flashlight: Small one that you can keep clipped to a belt or in your pocket. I carry mine day and night on tour.
Sleeping bag: Schoolrooms, vans, and buses can be cold overnight. A sleeping bag is easy to pack and carry. A good, warm sleeping bag is an essential on tour.
Pillow
Inflatable bed, cot, or foam pad to sleep on
Suitcase or duffle: One with wheels helps you get from the truck or van to the school and back.
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, etc. Body wash in a bottle and one of those nylon net scrubbies work well. Soap bars melt in the wet and heat. A bag to keep everything together and to carry to the shower is handy.
Towel: you might want two, so that one can dry a bit while you are using the other, but it’s one more thing to carry. Some people find a washcloth essential. Some find it expendable. You decide.
Shower shoes: pool shoes or flip flops for wearing to and from and in the shower. Protect your feet.
Two pair of comfortable shoes: sandals or tennis shoes. You might want different types or styles so that each hits your foot in a different place. One can be drying while you wear the other. Never go barefoot. Protect your feet.
Clothing: Do not bring good clothing to work in. T-shirts and shorts are appropriate for most days, but a pair of long pants can be handy at night. Work clothes will get wet and stained and possibly ripped. If there’s a free day on your part of tour, a set of nicer clothes will make you feel human but one set is enough. Bring enough clothes that you won’t have to do laundry. Or you can do like Greg does and buy your tour outfits at the 3-for-$10 truckstop T-shirt rack, wear them a couple of days and toss them away. I bring work T-shirts and toss them after I’ve worn and rinsed them out a couple of times. Most cooks keep a Colts “show shirt” to wear to shows. Also, think layers. The cook trailer can be extremely warm; however, it is unheated and there are times when it can also be very chilly. So you might start out in long sleeves and then lose those for your short sleeves underneath.
Jacket or hooded sweatshirt: A zip-up “hoodie” seems perfect.
Sunglasses and a hat: We are outside, all day most days.
Sunscreen
Small container of bug spray: Also, avoid perfumes, heavily scented shampoos, or anything with a sweet fragrance. They attract bugs.
Alarm clock: Bring your own. Don’t make the head cook feel bad when he or she has to get you out of bed.
Refillable wide mouth drink bottle or cup: For your own water supply. The wide mouth makes it possible to add ice.
Cash: Not a lot, necessarily, as your meals are provided. Midnight snacks at the truck stop are sometimes essential.


For Van Nights
Bring your sleeping bag. You will get cold in the air-conditioned vans.
Most veteran volunteers find it essential to carry a separate bag or backpack that travels with you at night on the van. Your luggage goes under a bus or on the kitchen trailer, and you won’t see it again until it’s unloaded the next morning. Or longer than that if a bus or the trailer gets delayed. Stock your carry-on bag with (add or subtract as you like):
Flashlight
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hand lotion
Ear plugs (if you don’t like to listen to CB radio chatter) or a music player. With earphones, please.
Cash
Cell phone: This may be the only part of the day that your have a quiet time to talk.
Pair of clean, dry socks: Your feet can get cold.
Personal first aid kit: Tylenol, Advil, or aspirin. Band-Aids. Any other personal medicines.


Handy, but not Essential
Disposable raincoat or poncho to keep on the cooktruck
Nighttime sleeping clothes: Many people just sleep in what they had on that day. Or they change into a clean T-shirt. If you’re on a non-travel day, sleeping attire might be a nice change of pace.
One or two zip-top plastic bags for wet or dirty laundry
Small fold-up stool
Camera: Remember batteries and extra film or memory cards
Oral-B Brush-Ups, in case there is no sink access or no time to brush your teeth
A book or magazine to read during long trips from the housing site to the show site