Very lost first timer

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Permalink Reply by Jesse on May 4, 2009 at 6:03pm

First off, you'll want good shoes, its probably a half mile downhill walk to the lodge, you'll be standing all day and then have to walk back up to your room.
The outdoor gear isn't really needed unless you feel like you'd like to do those things.

As far as bedding goes, you'll get a pillow, a set of sheets(pillowcase, flat sheet and fitted sheet) a thin pad thing for the top of the matteress and a blanket.
For towels, you get a bathmat, a towel(or two, I can't remember), and a couple washcloths. The towels were scratchy, so I'm bringing my own this year.

The employee rooms are not stocked with anything, so you'll want to get soap and cleaner stuff that you'd use around the bathroom, like Scrubbing Bubbles or Mr. Clean. There's a pretty good chance that you'll be sharing the bathroom with four people, so if everyone gets some things there should be enough for the 20 weeks. You might also want to get some clothes hangers. Another useful thing would be some reusable drinking cups to keep by the sink in your room or a water bottle and a small container of dishsoap.

The washing machines will either have a system to put detergent right into the wash or boxes of detergent next to it. Toilet paper is also supplied within the laundry rooms.

Another thing I found to be useful was a traveler's first-aid kit to keep in the room.

I think that just about covers it, except for regular personal hygene things(toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)

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Permalink Reply by Ashley Leffler on May 4, 2009 at 6:04pm

Hi Simone! I'm Ashley, and I've been up there once before, in housekeeping.

You don't need the camping & fishing equipment unless you feel like going camping or fishing, and you should be able to find it at Wal-mart if you do want it. But if you don't plan on going camping or fishing on one of your days off or something, you probably won't need the extra supplies, and they'll take up a lot of space in your room. Sometimes it's better to make friends with a bunch of people and find out who would let you borrow their camping and fishing stuff, or take the shuttle out to town sometime that you have a day off if you think you're gonna need it then.

Otherwise, everything else you should bring is pretty basic, uniform stuff, summer-ish clothes for off time (tanks, shorts, jeans, whatever is comfortable for you in 70 degree weather), at least one pair of comfortable shoes for your off time (you'll be doing a lot of walking), lots of socks, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, makeup, etc etc. And anything to keep yourself entertained, like cd/mp3 player, laptop if you have it, notebooks (if you're into writing or drawing), camera, music, a few movies (the rec room has a VCR & DVD). Rechargeable batteries help a LOT if you have anything that needs batteries. And bring anything else that helps you sleep in a new place (some people have stuffed animals, some people like the white noise of a fan, some people are into potpourri pouches, whatever helps). And after you get there, mosquito repellent will be your best friend in about a month, along with sun screen for any time you spend outside. And a softball glove if you play, or want to learn, because I hear there's a softball field now.

Coming up on the shuttle from Anchorage, you'll be surrounded by people who have either been there, or are new, and everyone will be trying to remember at the same time what they've forgotten the whole way to Wasilla. LOL So it's always fun to see what everyone else has and has forgotten and has to get because it makes you think of things you normally wouldn't.

Hope this all helps! See you up there!

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Permalink Reply by Simone Lindo on May 4, 2009 at 6:36pm

What's this about the two products called DEET and Bear Spray. being from Orlando the only bears I have ever seen are the ones in costume at Disney.

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Permalink Reply by Jesse on May 4, 2009 at 7:43pm

Bear Spray is basically a giant can of pepper spray, between the living areas and the lodge, you probably won't need it, if you are worried about bears, you can get a keychain with a bell on it at the gift shop, which is to warn bears that you are around to scare them off.

DEET is a powerfull insect deterrent that is included in some bug spray, it is also sold by itself in smaller bottles, but that's usually more expensive. I would suggest getting a bug spray that has some DEET in it.

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Permalink Reply by Ann Chapman on May 4, 2009 at 10:28pm

Coming from the woods and lakes of northern WI I highly recommend Deep Woods Off. It stinks but it works and contains DEET.

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Permalink Reply by Newell on May 7, 2009 at 2:51am

yeah you could but I got two one that is normal and one that is Deet 25 and they both werk fine since I've been up here for two weeks now. I brought most of my things with me on the drive here. If you forget something there are are the shuttles that go into town from time to time and I do go to Anchorage and Wasilla when I get the chance too. Since Wasilla is bout an hour away and Anchorage just a bit farther.

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