Much of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain or shine. Participants should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions, including cold temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment, and footwear are very important. Temperatures can range from below freezing in the mornings to hot in the early afternoons. The layered use of garments for protection against the wind, sun, and temperature extremes should guide your clothing choices. Loose fitting layers allow you to maintain a comfortable and dry body as outside temperatures change and as your own body’s temperature and moisture output changes with different levels of exertion.

Clothing:

• Insulating Underwear. Capilene, Silk, Polypropylene, or similar. Should have ability to wick moisture away from the body.
• Midweight Insulating Layer. A light 200-weight synthetic fleece or wool shirt/pullover.
• Heavyweight Insulating Layer. Can be Wool, Down or Heavy-weight fleece jacket—for less active times. (May, June, September, October programs)
• Waterproof and Windproof Outer Layer. Should be lightweight, and breathable if possible. Both jacket and pants are recommended.
• Short Sleeved Shirts. Cotton T-shirts are OK to wear in the summer. Synthetic shirts are ideal, because they wick moisture away from the body.
• Pants. Synthetic hiking pants, lightweight pile/fleece pants or tights (spring and fall), or similar pants. Jeans are not recommended.
• Hat. Bring two: A brimmed hat to protect you from the sun, and an insulating hat for cool weather (May, June, September, October programs).
• Gloves. Lightweight glove liners, and a pair of wool/fleece gloves or mittens (May, June, September, October programs).
• Socks. A light wool or synthetic liner sock with a heavier wool or synthetic outer sock. The inner-outer sock combination helps prevent blistering, wicks moisture and reduces friction. Cotton socks do not wick moisture and are not recommended.
• Hiking Boots. Must provide stability, traction, and comfort. Unless you’ve consistently hiked in athletic shoes, bring boots that provide ankle support.
• Off-duty Shoes. Sandals, athletic shoes, or other leisure footwear.

Equipment

• Daypack. With enough capacity to carry extra clothes, water, lunch, camera, binoculars, field guides, etc.
• Water bottle. One quart/liter is the minimum recommended. Camelback or similar hydration systems work well.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen/Lip Protector. Sun at high altitude can burn unprotected skin quickly.
• Camera, binoculars.
• Notebook/Pencil.

For Participants who are staying in the Institute cabins at Lamar

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• An extra blanket may come in handy
• Non-electric alarm clock
• Flashlight
• Bathroom facilities
• Towel and washcloth
• Toiletries

Cabins have lights for reading and are heated early in the season as necessary, but there are no outlets for appliances. Cabins contain either two or three beds. Participants may be sharing cabins with other participants. There is also a heated bathhouse with showers and restrooms. Nearby, the main building or bunkhouse, has rest rooms with showers, a fully equipped kitchen and two classrooms.

The kitchen is equipped with two gas stoves, a microwave, toaster, and three refrigerators. Basic cooking and eating utensils (plates, silverware, etc.) are provided. Since space is limited and participants share the cooking facilities, we ask that meals be kept fairly simple. Since we have several students at the facility at a time, refrigerator space is always a premium and we ask that you keep that in mind when you plan your stay. For example, using smaller containers of milk and keeping only a few cans of beverage in the fridge at a time, rather than a six pack, can make all the difference when we have two classes going on at the Institute at the same time. We also have very limited space for coolers to be stored in the kitchen area, so plan your refrigerator food carefully. When you leave, we ask that you be sure to take any leftover food with you or check with the Institute personnel to see if it can be left as community food and labeled as such.

What you don't need to bring
Salt and pepper, dish soap, dish towel, hand soap, regular coffee, sugar, creamer, and basic cooking and eating utensils.

Things you shouldn't bring to Lamar
Because of the isolated locale, the back-to-basics life style, the lack of electrical outlets in cabins, and the ambience of the park environment, the following items are impractical or inappropriate: tape players, radios, TV's, or other electrical appliances such as crock pots, pancake griddles, or hair dryers (our only source of power is a generator.)

Camping is not allowed
The National Park Service forbids camping or RV use at the Lamar facility. Three NPS campgrounds are within a short drive from the Institute.

Pets are not allowed
Due to health and safety considerations, students are not allowed to bring pets to the Lamar facility. Kennels are available in neighboring towns.