Things all Team Members Should Pack
COPA weight limit is 50 pounds per bag. We can each check in one bag for free along with our carry on item. This bag can be filled with our own items along with some donated items (list of items potentially bring). You also have the option to check in a second bag with donated items but this would cost you $100. Below are items that you should make sure to pack.
- You'll also want some money for snacks (total for airport costs $70 - $160) Credit cards will be accepted in the airports.
- $200 - $300 additional spending money. $10 for entrance into Paraguayan Night at the Macchi School and an additional $10 for snacks at the Macchi School night activities. Many studens also bring money for ice creams, coca-colas, empanadas, soccer jerseys, and small souvenirs. In Tobati, only cash will be accepted at many stores but some will accept cards. Students will change their dollars for guaranies (the paraguayan currency) at Central Headquarters. Around 8,000 Gs = $1. We will have Paraguayan money (guaranies) to exchange for $10 and $20 bills. You should try to not to bring large denominations like $100 bills.
- U.S. Passport (that does not expire before Sep. 12, 2025. Your passport must not expire within 6 months of entering Paraguay. You will not be allowed on the plane to Paraguay if your passport expires before this date.) - If your passport is not a U.S. passport you must obtain a tourist visa prior to trip. Please contact Mr. Garcia immediately if your passport is not from the USA.
- A backpack or carry on bag that has a small zipped pocket to put your passport and boarding passes. It is vital that students always put their passport and ticket in this same pocket in their carry on immediately after it is used. Chaperones will collect the passports as often as possible but there will be times during travel when students are responsible for their own passports and boarding passes. It is vital that these not be lost. We should all have a pocket in our carry on luggage that is just for the passport and ticket.
- Pens in your carry on. Students will have to fill out an immigration form upon arrival in Asuncion so they'll need a pen.
- Don't overpack. Your laundry will be done every 3 or 4 days so you don't need to pack clothes for the whole trip. We'll spend almost all our time in shorts and t-shirts. Students normally pack too much.
- Mosquito repellent containing 30-50% DEET. Each team member should bring their own repellent. Make sure to have plenty o' DEET. We should apply repellent every morning and late afternoon. We do this as a precaution against Dengue and Chikungunya, which are flu like illness spread by mosquito. We should make sure to put on repellant each morning. Also, remember to apply the repellent after sunscreen and make sure to spray your feet and ankles.
- Shorts - for it is quite warm in Tobati in March (Host families normally do laundry every four days or so. We wouldn't recommend bringing nice clothes or shoes.)
- T-shirts - for t-shirts often go well with the shorts mentioned previously
- Pack plenty of socks. For whatever reason folks often run out of socks
- Sneakers - for comfort and quick cuts - also for avoiding shin splints
- Sandals - so that feet can feel some sun and also experience some semblance of freedom
- 2 pair o' Work gloves
- A cap - helps us catch high fly balls
- A gift for the Macchi School. The host families have asked that team members bring gifts for the school instead. The school is in need of school supplies and garden materials. https://www.teamtobati.org/support-tt-20251.html
- More formal outfits - for the team will attend one or two night time events in which polo or bottom up style shirts/blouses will be necessary - slacks (or dress shorts)/skirts/dresses will be needed during these social events.
- Games: cards, chess sets, etc. come in handy during the team's resting periods and long hours spent in airports.
- Quality jokes and/or anecdotes - are huge during long rides to Aparypy, Tobati.
- Batteries for alarm clock mentioned previously
- Small Spanish/English dictionary - for improved communication with Paraguayan comrades
- Swimsuits - The team will have a couple of opportunities at night to swim in pools.
- Water Bottle - As a team we don't drink the tap water. We load up on water from Central Headquarters before we go out to work on projects. Having a water bottle helps us stay hydrated.
- Towels - bring at least three good solid towels.
- Sunscreen - for there is a good deal of sun in Tobati. As I mentioned before, the sunscreen should go on before the repellent.
- Powdered drinks - Since we can't drink natural fruit juices, some team members have found it nice to have powdered lemonade or kool-aid that they could add to their bottled water. One big can of a powdered drink should be enough for a bunch of sub-team drinks.
- You should have your passport number written down on a piece of paper or in your phone so that you can fill out the immigration form without asking your adult leader for passport back. Taking a picture of your passport is always a veteran travel move.
- Portable speakers are good to use during longer rides. The team often goes to work on the construction of classrooms in rural schools far from central headquarters. Music helps the team maintain good energy during road trips. No need for everyone to bring one so it might be good to talk with your work group and make sure that one person brings one.
- Sanitizing wipes travel pack: It's always a good move to make sure that we wash our hands before we eat. The wipes are an easy way to get that done when traveling.
- Rain jacket or poncho. We need to be ready for rainy conditions.
- Multi outlet extension cord. There aren't many outlets in the houses so if a lot of folks want to charge their phones or cameras it can get tricky. You will need a 220 voltage converter to go with this cord to make it all work. The student that brings this item will be very popular in the house.
- During our going away party in Tobati, the organizers have asked that we wear all white or as much white as possible. The party they are organizing this year will have a theme (first time ever) which is peace, thus the color white. Bring white clothes for the this event.
