The contents of my backpack

Over the years I discovered the value of a well stocked backpack. I was ready for any situation: stuck with a youth group at a snowed-in airport (games to play), building houses in Mexico (lamb's wool), looking for a lost kid (flashlight), cutting a youth out of a binding piece of rope (knife), on and on.

This is a rather random seeming list of junk, but each item has served a purpose. People of different genders, cultures or geographic areas may want to add other items to the list. Please add your suggestions as comments to this post.

Notebook paper

clothes pin (to clip paper down in a wind)

Various pens, pencils (knife works as a pencil sharpener)

PostIt Notes (many, many purposes)

Chapstick

Multiblade pocket knife (yes, I've lost a couple to the TSA at airports, although I've inadvertently smuggled knives onto an airplane THREE TIMES. Which is kind of scary.)

Small songbook

Pocket package of Kleenex

Pocket package of hand wipes

Markers and, of course, a Sharpie or two

Gum, breath freshener

Eyewash, contact case, wetting solution

An expandable Ethernet cable and USB connector

A covey of Koosh balls

A “spot marker” to use as an indoor frisbee

Miniature deck of cards

band-aids

Ear plugs

Q-tips

matches

Lamb's Wool (to protect against blisters)

Bill sized envelopes

USB flash drive

Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil

I suppose people with more delicate stomachs should carry Tums...

length of string

Masking tape

Ankle wrap

lightweight, throwaway rain coat

small flashlight

Batteries (which has caused my packback to be inspected by the TSA...)

What else should be on this list?

Being treated badly on a Mission trip

Warn a group of the need to be thick-skinned. Especially on a domestic mission trip, the people being helped may be used to abuse and having people either take advantage of them or be condescending to them. Only patience and humility can overcome their distrust. If it looks like this is going to be a problem on a trip have sessions studying the various "last shall be first" and "servant of all" passages. Prepare and explain in advance what may happen.

(On one trip it was only when our “rich, city kids” got down on their knees and scrubbed the toilets for the facility that they were at that they were finally accepted and appreciated.)

Spending money

Do not have any activities or situations where the youth are expected to have money. Some may not have much and it puts them in a really awkward bind. All “required” expenses (from meals, to recreation) should come out of the collective treasury. Only personal expenses (from snack food to gifts for family) are to be paid for by the youth.

Where to stay on trips

For the sake of group building, avoid motel like accommodations.

• You need, as a minimum, a large common room where the group can hang out.
  
• You need recreational facilities: basketball, running track, space for Ultimate, ping pong and/or pool table.
  
• Dormitories and church camps are the best facilities, but Church basements work too.
  
• Retreat Centers often do not work very well (no recreational facilities, maybe not even a common room).
  

Left over food

There is almost always a homeless shelter in the area that will be glad to take all the left over foods, cooked or otherwise.

Requiring deposits

With some youth in some areas of the country, it is common for kids to wait to the last minute to make reservations while in other areas it is common for them to make early reservations and then cancel at the last minute. In either case a rigid deposit system and cut off dates are a help. There are real costs associated with preparation for an event, and preparation is usually based on expected attendance. These costs are paid for by the deposits. Do not compromise on Deposits – they don't go, they don't get their deposit back. Everyone thinks their excuses is excusable.

In a bad mood

Do you recognize when you are having a mood that is not really related to what is going on? These can be body chemistry induced moods. (I sometimes get anxious for no real reason, for example. I think it is reaction to hot dogs.) These kinds of things can be recognized and, therefore, controlled. (“There is no earthly reason for me to be anxious at this time, so I will not let it get to me.”)