Packing for a weekend away is hard enough, but for a 5-month trip, packing becomes a foreign art.
When you're preparing to go do a discipleship training school with YWAM San Diego/Baja, it is common to wait to even think of packing until the very last minute before leaving. I call this pack-crastinating, a thing of which I too am guilty of doing. But “pack-crastinating” leads us to overpack, leaving no space for those fun international gifts you inevitability buy to bring back to your family and friends.
Not taking time to pack, or not knowing what to pack also leads us into a “just in case” mindset. We end up attempting to bring our whole worlds to our small 6-8-person dorm rooms. We squeeze our stuff into our allotted space, consisting of only a 1 1/2 foot wide closet with two drawers and a bit of hanging space per person, maybe even a shared drawer under your and your bunkmates' bunk bed as well.
My point is not that our dorms should have more storage space, it’s actually nice to have your own little nook, but that coming to a DTS means that you need to be mindful that the other 6 people in your room are also embarking on this journey with you, and also brought some luggage of their own.
Additionally, pile on the fact that after your time on the beautiful campuses in either Ensenada or San Antonio Del Mar, Mexico, you'll be hopping on a plane and traveling to a remote destination to spread God's word. You definitely don't want extra luggage to weigh down your ability to mission to the nations during your final 8-week phase of DTS.
I promise you don’t need to bring everything you own, and you can learn to live with less - it is actually a freeing feeling. But understand that the panic is natural, and we've all been there! The good news is there is a strategy for how to pack for DTS, and I'm happy to report it works.
So read on and get ready to take some notes!
Before You Go: Understanding DTS
In 1960, Loren Cunningham was a man with a vision and a prayer. By combining his passion for helping youth with his deep relationship with God, he founded Youth With a Mission that year. Now a global organization, YWAM has helped thousands of young people realize their full potential in Christ and become a part of the largest missions movement & Christ-centered community in the world.
In 1991, Sean and Janet Lambert brought Loren's vision to life in San Diego and the neighboring region of Baja, Mexico, just south of the border. Since then, YWAM San Diego/Baja has offered 10 year-round missions training experiences and conferences, including discipleship training school, to hundreds of students including you and me.
DTS is available to people from all locations and walks of life. The training experience is open to recent high school graduates or young people 18 years or older. Many students are seeking a Christian gap year experience that traditional gap year programs can't replicate. YWAM's gap year missions training can even help you gain college credit to apply toward a future experience and connect you with a gap year team with the same faith-based goals that you have.
Whether you're searching for a fulfilling gap year program or simply desire practical tools to help you become a powerful missions leader in whatever sphere of society you choose, YWAM San Diego/Baja's DTS is a great first step toward the rest of your life.
Apply today, or if you've been accepted, read on to learn more about the art of packing for a YWAM gap year.
Step 1: Pick Your Bags
As far as what to pack in, you can pack in either a suitcase or a hiking backpack. Bring what you have - there is no need to go crazy spending money on super expensive or high-tech luggage.
Usually, a hiking backpack will be best, especially if you end up with a more remote or physically active outreach location. In my experience, using a larger, comfortable backpack also encourages you to pack less, which is a plus when you're on the move.
Step 2: Packing for Campus Phase
The campus phase, here in sunny Mexico, is 3 months long and is the first phase of the Discipleship Training School.
In this phase, you will experience practical training, leadership training, and daily worship to help you discover how God calls you to ministry and the skills you need to answer this call. During this time you will establish a strong foundation for the rest of your life, but physically you'll mostly be walking around the base, to and from classes, going to meals, serving the campus, having downtime in your room, and doing local ministry.
You are welcome to bring that unique splash of your own style, believe it or not, you don’t have to invest in Chacos right away. I was thrilled to learn that YWAM San Diego/Baja is a community of individuals. They want you to be you!
When I say this, it does come with a couple of restrictions. Because being you does not mean showing us all of you. You probably have that in mind already, but the fact that we are in Mexico and it can be warm at times isn't an excuse for the shortest shots partnered with the smallest shirts. Be the modest-fashion forward young adults that I know you are.
With both of our campuses being right on the beautiful ocean that God created for us to enjoy, a cool breeze is common. It may also come as a shock that it can be a bit colder at night, especially in the spring quarter. If you are planning on doing a fall quarter DTS with us, late November-December is when sweater weather kicks in, so don’t only pack your summer wardrobe.
So, What Should I Actually Pack?
Here's a list I think covers all the essentials:
Passport: Make sure it is valid for more than 6 months from the end of DTS so you do not have any issues while traveling.
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, etc.
6 shirts: 4 for out and about and two for sleeping.
2 pairs of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 light sweater/flannel/cardigan
1 heavier sweater
1 modest swimsuit & sunscreen
All the undergarments
1 set of sandals
1 set of running shoes/close-toed shoes
Baseball hat
A set of clothes you wouldn't mind getting paint on or dirty (maybe two if you're in the Building Hope DTS).
Your Bible & journal
1 good book other than your Bible
Computer/camera if you have one (especially for the Photo-Storytelling DTS)
Guitar, instrument, or your art supplies if you are doing the Music + Arts Collective DTS
Surfboard or skateboard if you are doing the Surf + Skate DTS
Small backpack for day trips
Water bottle
Twin-size bedding or a sleeping bag for your bunk bed
Important Notes for the Campus Phase
You aren't stranded when you come to one of YWAM San Diego/Baja's campuses, so if you do forget to pack something, don't stress.
You can use US dollars as well as Mexican Pesos here at both our Ensenada and San Antonio Del Mar campuses, and there are ATMs in town for you to be able to get cash.
There is a Walmart nearby if you need something immediately. Plus, our local Oxxo (like a 7/11) is within walking distance from the base and has snacks and some toiletry essentials. You also can order things from your Amazon to our SD offices and receive them later in the mailroom on campus.
You will have access to a washer and dryer, which can help you pack light. We recommend you go in on laundry soap with your new roommates once you get here. Oh, and be sure to bring some quarters for the laundry machines!
We do have a storage unit where you will be able to leave some stuff when you go on outreach, so you don’t need to plan on bringing everything with you into the outreach phase if you do overpack initially.
Step 3: Packing for Outreach Phase
The outreach phase is harder to pin down until you know exactly where you will be going. This second section of DTS lasts approximately 8 weeks and consists of a mission trip to an international destination.
This cross-cultural experience is the first time many people travel internationally, which means you'll probably be nervous about more than just packing. But that's totally normal! I was too!
The good thing is you'll be surrounded by your fellow YWAM students. You'll serve alongside them and spread God's word to unreached communities using your newfound missional mindset. Experience a foreign language and navigate cultural differences to be the best disciple you can be.
Outreach teams are determined a couple of weeks into your campus phase. So, don’t panic, you will have time to prepare. And Amazon will come in handy for any location-specific items you may need.
Here are some must-haves for the outreach phase:
Passport (obviously!)
Bug repellent
Shoes to walk and potentially hike in
3 shirts
2 athletic pants, ones you won't mind hiking in
1 set of nice clothes for church services (guys: button-up shirt and pants - girls: modest dress or maxi skirt)
All your undergarments
1 pair of modest shorts
Toiletries bags/baby wipes are great when you don’t have access to a proper shower.
Flashlight/headlamp
Bible & journal
1 set of sleepwear
Sleeping bag (You could wait to order one to make sure if you need to have a thicker or cooler one depending on the temperature of where you’re going.)
Space for cool little gifts you’ll want to bring back.
Your camera/computer if you feel comfortable (those in the Photo-Storytelling DTS will need to bring this one).
Light rain jacket or windbreaker
Keep in mind that you’ll probably be able to replenish essentials somewhere along the way at a local market.
How Does Packing Tie in With Discipleship?
THE TRUTH:
“Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.”
— LUKE 10:4
This verse seems extreme. None of that, Jesus? But she just said something about Chacos and a hiking backpack…
Jesus isn't saying that you sitting at home packing right now should stop or not bring any material items on mission trips, or be unfriendly, not greeting anyone on your journey here. No, what he is doing is asking you to trust Him.
Discipleship has always been at the center of Jesus' story. The Greek root word for discipleship, akoloutheo, means "to follow," aligning with Jesus' call to "Follow me." The emphasis in discipleship has always been on action, letting go of personal attachment to follow Jesus to the greatest capacity throughout your life.
He is asking you to let Him be your source of provision. So, whether you're getting overwhelmed and stressing over each item or you're a pack-crastinator, stuff is just stuff and Jesus is bigger than stuff.
Here’s the good news - you will survive even if you forget your flashlight.
At YWAM San Diego/Baja, less is more. Embodying the spirit of full-time ministry, people are always giving and sharing, participating in the generous provision of God. It’s a new journey and just like you’ve trusted God so far, you can continue to trust while participating in the art of packing.
Apply for DTS Today
Interested in doing a DTS? Click below to learn more about the different Discipleship Training Schools that are offered at YWAM San Diego/ Baja! Get to know God's heart and use His love as a launching pad for the rest of your life in global missions.
