AESOP 2024 Packing Lists

Backpacking Trips

This includes Bigelow Range Backpacking 1 & 2, Appalachian Trail Maintenance, Grafton Backpacking 1 & 2.

WE RECOMMEND SYNTHETIC FABRICS FOR ALL CLOTHING ITEMS LISTED. AVOID COTTON WHEN POSSIBLE – IT RETAINS MOISTURE AND PULLS HEAT FROM YOUR BODY WHEN WET. READ MORE ABOUT MATERIALS AND LAYERING HERE.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 35°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Backpack (capacity ≥55L, with hip straps)*
Hiking boots (recommended)/trail sneakers (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN!)**
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
2 pairs underwear (one for hiking, one for sleeping)
2 pairs socks
2 shirts (one for hiking, one for sleeping)
1 pair athletic shorts/pants
2 water bottles (32 oz)
Headlamp/flashlight
Raincoat
Warm hat
Sun hat/sunglasses
Other shoes to wear at campsite
Sunscreen, toothbrush, toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Rain pants
Camera
Trekking poles
Packable/inflatable camp pillow

⋆ Please bring any prescribed medications that you take daily. If you take any critically important/life saving medications (i.e. Insulin, anti-seizure, EPI), we ask that you bring extra doses on your AESOP trip if possible.

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

**AESOP recommends hiking boots with ankle support for all backpacking trips.

Trip-Specific Notes:

If you are on a backpacking trip you will need to carry your personal equipment (plus assorted group gear and food that we will provide), so please refrain from bringing more equipment than is on this list.

Basecamping Trips

This includes Acadia Climbing, Acadia Adventure 1, 2 & 3, Camden Basecamping 1, 2 & 3, Mt. Blue Basecamping 1, 2 & 3, Rangeley Basecamping 1, 2 & 3, Baxter State Park Basecamping, and Grafton Basecamping 1 & 2.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 35°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Day pack (capacity ≥35L)*
Hiking boots (recommended)/trail sneakers (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN!)**
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
2-3 pairs underwear
2-3 pairs socks
2-3 shirts
1-2 pair athletic shorts/pants
2 Water bottles
Headlamp/flashlight
Raincoat
Warm hat/headband
Sun hat/sunglasses
Shoes to wear at campsite
Sunscreen, toothbrush, toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆
Towel
Bathing suit

Optional, but nice to have:

1 pair long pants (not jeans)
Rain pants
Camera
Packable/inflatable camp pillow

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

**AESOP recommends hiking boots with ankle support for all backpacking trips. For basecamping/day hiking, sneakers with good tread will suffice.

Trip-Specific Notes:

If you are on a basecamping trip, you may pack things in any bag and bring a smaller backpack (20-30L) for daytime excursions. A frame backpack is not necessary! We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

Canoeing Trips

This includes trips such as Mooselookmeguntic Canoeing 1 & 2, Richardson Lake Canoeing 1 & 2, and Flagstaff Lake Canoeing 1 & 2.

WE RECOMMEND SYNTHETIC FABRICS FOR ALL CLOTHING ITEMS LISTED. AVOID COTTON FABRICS WHEN POSSIBLE – IT RETAINS MOISTURE AND PULLS HEAT FROM YOUR BODY WHEN WET. READ MORE ABOUT MATERIALS AND LAYERING HERE.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 35°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Drybag (if you own one), Backpack if not (capacity ≥55L)*
Water shoes
Dry shoes to wear at campsite
1-2 bathing suits
Towel
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
2-3 pairs underwear
2-3 pairs socks
2-3 shirts
1-2 pair athletic shorts/pants
2 Water bottles
Headlamp/flashlight
Raincoat
Warm hat/headband
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen, toothbrush, toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Rain pants
Camera
Packable/inflatable camp pillow

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

Trip Specific Notes:

If you are on a canoeing trip you will need to carry your personal equipment (plus assorted group gear and food that we will provide), so please refrain from bringing more equipment than is on this list.

Cultural Trips (sleeping off campus)

This includes trips such as CitySOP 1 & 2.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 45°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Pillow
Backpack or bag
Comfortable sneakers/athletic shoes (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN!)
Warm layer for top
Clothes to sleep in
2-3 shirts
2-3 pairs of socks
2-3 pairs of shorts/pants
Water bottle
Raincoat
Sun hat/sunglasses
Warm hat
Headlamp
Sunscreen and toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆
Bathing suit
Towel

Optional, but nice to have:

Rain pants
Camera

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

Trip Specific Notes:

If you are on a Cultural Trip that sleeps off campus, you will be exploring cities/towns during the day but camping at night, so pack accordingly.

Chillin’ Trips (sleeping off campus)

This includes Artchillin’, Beach Chillin’ 2, 3 & 4 and Lake Chillin’ 2, 3 & 4.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 35°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Small bag for day trips
Comfortable walking shoes (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN) and water shoes
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
2-3 pairs underwear
2-3 pairs socks (wool or synthetic athletic socks are best)
2-3 shirts
1-2 pair athletic shorts/pants
Bathing suit
Water bottle
Headlamp/flashlight
Raincoat
Warm hat/headband
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen, toothbrush, toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Camera
Packable/inflatable camp pillow

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

Trip Specific Notes:

Chillin‘ trips provide incoming students with ample time to kick back, relax, and get to know their new peers. Pro tip — bring cards, games, frisbees, etc!

Community Engagement (sleeping off campus)

This includes Habitat for Humanity 1 & 2.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 45°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Pillow
Backpack or bag
Comfortable sneakers/athletic shoes (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN!)
Warm layer for top
Clothes to sleep in
2-3 shirts
2-3 pairs of socks
2-3 pairs of shorts/pants
Water bottle
Raincoat
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen and toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Camera
Cards! Games!

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

Trip-Specific Notes:

If you are on a community engagement trip, bring one pair of jeans and shirts that are durable and you don’t mind getting dirty.

Day Hiking (sleeping on campus)

This includes Day Hiking 1 & 2.

THIS PACKING LIST IS THE ITEMS YOU WILL PACK WITH YOU EACH DAY:

Backpack (capacity 35L)*
Hiking boots (recommended)/trail sneakers (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN!)**
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
Spare pair of socks
2 Water bottles (32 oz)
Raincoat
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Rain pants
Camera

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.

**AESOP recommends hiking boots with ankle support for all backpacking trips. For basecamping/day hiking, sneakers with good tread will suffice.

Trip-Specific Notes:

Day Hiking trips go on day excursions to different mountains in Maine, and return to campus each night. No camping equipment is necessary.

Sleeping on Campus Trips

This includes Beach Chillin’ (sleeping on campus) Lake Chillin’ (sleeping on campus), FarmSOP, AnimalSOP, Community Engagement in L/A, EVO Rock Climbing, ArtSOP, DanceSOP, CulinarySOP, Film Festival, PhotoSOP, Portland Exploration 1 & 2, and WoodSOP.

THIS PACKING LIST IS THE ITEMS YOU WILL PACK WITH YOU EACH DAY:

Small backpack/bag
Bathing suit
Towel
Sneakers/comfortable shoes (MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN)
Warm layer for top
A spare set of clothes if necessary
Water bottle
Raincoat
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen and important other personal items
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Camera
Water shoes
Cards! Games!

Trip Specific Notes:

For all Sleeping on Campus trips, the daytime activities are different for each group, therefore your leaders might recommend additional items to bring each day. For example, if you are on FarmSOP, you will need to wear clothes that are durable and can get dirty. You will return to campus each evening so no overnight items are necessary.

Surfing Trips

This includes Surfing 1 & 2 and Wool and Waves.

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 35°F)*
Sleeping pad*
Backpack or bag
Towel
Water shoes
Dry shoes for campsite
1-2 Bathing suits
Warm layer for top
Warm layer for legs (long underwear or sweatpants)
2-3 pairs underwear
2-3 pairs socks
2-3 shirts
1 pair athletic shorts/pants
Water bottles
Headlamp/flashlight
Raincoat
Warm hat/headband
Sun hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen, toothbrush, and toiletries
Necessary personal medications ⋆

Optional, but nice to have:

Rain pants
Camera
Packable/inflatable camp pillow

*AESOP has a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks available for students to borrow. We do not lend day packs for day trips — a school backpack is adequate.