Churchill Packing List

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: CHURCHILL

(For those who booked their  Calm Air flights through Heartland International Tours, you are permitted two checked bags (not to exceed 50 pounds per bag).  Two small Carry ons are allowed,  but  may not exceed 20 pounds total  for all travelers and can be reviewed here:  Carry Ons. Your flight to Winnipeg may have other luggage restrictions.

___ Passport
___ COVID-19 vaccination Card or a Digital  Record 
___ COVID-19 Test Kit, 2 are recommended
___ Rain gear (durable, truly waterproof, bring both a top and bottom)
___ 1 Bathing suit
___ 2-3 T-Shirts
___ 2 Long-sleeved shirts (one quick dry/lightweight rash guard for warmth or sun protection; the other should be a lightweight synthetic material such as polyester or Lightweight fleece material that keeps the body warm                       even when wet, used for layering).
___ 1-2 Pairs of shorts (one quick dry and light weight)
___ 2 Pairs long pants (one pair of medium rated fleece or wool pants)
___ 1 medium and 1 heavy rated sweatshirt made of capilene/fleece or other synthetic material that
keeps the body warm even when wet (non cotton)
___ Synthetic jacket such as the Patagonia Nano Puff layered along with fleece
___ One pair of long underwear–( top and bottom- fleece, silk or capilene)
___ One ski cap or beanie for warmth with an optional scarf
___ One pair of warm gloves or mittens
___ Waterproof Windbreaker or paddling jacket or you may use your rain jacket top as a wind breaker
___ 1 Pair of hiking shoes (lightweight hiking boot or a gortex hiking boot for potentially wet and muddy trails)
___ 1 Pair of neoprene surf booties. Our staff likes the NRS wetshoe or equivalent these will keep your foot mud free while launching at muddy low tides
___1 Pair of neoprene wetsock liners such as those purchased at NRS or equivalent, can be worn under surf booty for extra warmth
___ 2 Pairs of socks appropriate for keeping feet warm while hiking and a lightweight, light in color pair to be worn as bug deterrents.
___ Bandana or a Buff headwear–great for sun protection and flare! We are providing everyone with a BWV “Bluerag”, much like a buff
___ Day pack –compact, for personal items when hiking or boating, lined on the inside with a garbage bag for waterproofing
___ Small Dry Bag to protect personal gear such as cameras, extra clothing and binoculars while boating
___ Underwear
___ Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, lotions, aloe, etc,)
___ Sunscreen ( 20 strength or stronger) & lip balm with sunscreen, small amount of coral safe sunscreen while paddle boarding (supping)
reviewed here: Corals and Hawaii Bans Harmful Sunscreens For this trip, we recommend: Faces
___ small amount of body lotion for replenishing dry skin
___ Polarized Sunglasses with leash
___ Hat with visor or wide rim
___ Insect repellent–we like Lemon Eucalyptus by Repel, an effective non toxic alternative to DEET, others prefer the use of DEET. See More Trip Info
___  Lightweight Bug Shirt and Bug Headnet 
___ Personal medicines ( anti diarrhea, bandaids, neosporine, pain reliever, anti-itch cream for insect bites)
__   Quart size water bottle, non disposable
___ Duffel bag or luggage for your clothing and other personal gear, luggage with rollers are acceptable.
___ Face Masks and personal Hand sanitizer
___ Mask and Snorkel – check with a local dive shop for proper fit or you may rent in Churchill for $10-$15  for our one day of Beluga Boarding.
We may also be swimming at the local pool. You may want to bring your personal snorkel gear for the pool. See More Trip Info
___ Full body wetsuit 5-7 mil for our 1 day of Beluga Boarding. You may also rent a 5-7 mil wetsuit in Churchill for $75-$85  for Beluga Boarding. See More Trip Info
___ Neoprene Gloves such as NRS 3mil or equivalent or you may rent in Churchill for $10 for our day of Beluga Boarding.
___ Wetsuit hood and Booties or you may rent in Churchill for $10 for our one day of Beluga Boarding.
___ 2 Garbage bags for waterproofing gear or packing wet items
___ Headlamp
___ Personal Coffee Mug
___ Clothes to travel home in or when dining out in Churchill

OPTIONAL GEAR:

___ Extra camera batteries, memory card and charger
___ Camera/film –our guides and clients like the Olympus Tough Waterproof Series or the Gopro
___ Camera Stick
___ Carabiners- for attaching items to kayaks
___ Binoculars-pack both camera and binoculars in dry bag Journal with pens or colored pens/ watercolor set
___ 1 Pair of sandals or flip flops to be worn around the hotel
___ Waterproof watch
___Ear plugs
___ Sleeping Mask for hotel room as some rooms may not get fully dark for much of night
___ 1 Sarong
___ Your Favorite Adult Beverage or Snacks -can be purchased in Churchill but prices are inflated
___ Dry Goods for simple meals, see Local Cuisine and Money at More Trip Info
___ Preferred Tea or instant Starbuck Coffee packages to add additional strength to coffee provided on trip
___ Small Dry Box (i.e. Pelican boxes) to organize and waterproof miscellaneous items such as camera

Sea Sickness Medication: If you are prone to sea sickness, we  recommend bringing some form of prevention. Medications such as Bonine or Dramamine are usually effective although drowsiness or thirst can be a side effect. Many clients have been very happy with Scopalimine patches that requires a prescription. Your local pharmacist or physician can advise you.  Many health food stores will recommend herbal remedies  such as Motionease for sea sick prevention and we have found this brand quite effective. In the past, several clients have successfully used “sea bands” which employ a pressure point on the wrists rather than medication. Sea Bands have no side effects and can be purchased at most dive shops or some drug stores.

LOST LUGGAGE: Just in case your luggage is misplaced during airplane transfers, pack or wear the following in a carry on bag: 1 pair of pants, fleece, 1 long sleeve shirt, mask, camera, sunscreen, essential toiletries and personal medications.

SUGGESTED READING LIST

For a great overview of Churchill Culture and Natural History we highly recommend:
Churchill Hudson Bay, A Guide to the Natural and Cultural Heritage.
This excellent field guide is written by Lorraine Brandson, the curator of the Itsanitaq Museum, formerly known as the Eskimo Museum which we plan to visit

Natural History
A Complete Guide to the Arctic Wildlife by Richard Sale
Wildlife of the Arctic by Richard Sale and Pier
A Naturalist Guide to the Arctic by E.C. Pielou
The World of the Arctic Whales Belugas, Bowheads and Narwhals By Stefani Paine
Beluga A Farewell to Whales by Pierre Beland

Cultural History
Arctic Icons: How the Town of Churchill Leaned to Love its Polar Bears by Ed Struzik
Never Look a Polar Bear in the Eye: A Family Field Trip to the Arctic’s Edge
Search of Adventure, Truth, and Mini-Marshmallows By Zac Unger

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