Belize Dress Code & Packing List

Travel Bag Capacity
Everything needs to fit inside 1 checked bag (50lbs max) and 1 regular school-sized backpack. Nothing hanging on the outside.

Dress Code

We are serving in a very different culture from our own with different comfort level, expectations, customs, and beliefs about how to dress. The Belizean Christian culture is much more traditional, both in conservative dress as well as gender roles. One of the ways we love others in a missional context is by dressing in a way that removes barriers with the people we are serving and respects the culture we are entering, regardless of what the Belizeans around us choose to wear. If you are dressed inappropriately, you will be required to change. If you didn't pack appropriate clothing, you will be provided uncomfortable, unfashionable clothing that complies.

When we are in Belize we will be in different "modes" that have different clothing standards. Pay attention carefully so you can pack properly for each mode.

Clothing "DO NOT PACK"
  • Clothing that might be considered political, political/divisive stance
  • Clothing that represents brands associated with Alcohol, Tobacco, etc.
  • Jewelry, or valuable clothing/shoes
  • Skirts/dresses less than fingertip length
  • Two piece bathing suits and Speedos
  • Tops that reveal midriff/belly
  • Tops that when wet become see-through (avoid white t-shirts)
Church Service MODE
Guys: Dress pants,  button-up collared shirt, closed-toe shoes
Girls: Skirt/dress knee-length. dress shirt, hiding shoulders/belly. Sandals/dress shoes 
VBS MODE
Shorts/Skirt/Dress knee-length, shirt covering shoulders/belly, shoes/sandals
Work Site MODE
Shorts knee-length, t-shirt covering shoulders/belly, closed-toe shoes. These clothes might get ruined. Bring cheap thrift/Walmart clothes.
Travel Day, Beach Day, Sleeping Area MODE
Dress to your "normal", except items on the "DO NOT PACK" list.
  • Always wear a shirt in guy-girl common areas (except swimming)

Technology & Theft

Read this carefully to ensure your success on this trip, bringing everything you need.

Phones & Technology
From the time we land until the time we take off,  Student phone use is not permitted. There are no exceptions. If parents need to get ahold of student, they can call or message Thatcher, or another designated leader. If a student for any reason needs to contact a parent, at Thatcher’s discretion, they may be permitted to borrow a phone. Likely this will only be permitted if a medical incident arises.

While traveling to/from Belize, phones are permitted on a limited basis. No games or scrolling. Leaders at their discretion will ask you to put device away if using excessively. The reason: phones….are a teleportation device. This trip is designed in part to build community. Phones can get in the way of that.
Smart watches, Apple Watches, and speakers are prohibited on the trip.

While in Belize, if you are found using the above, it will be confiscated.

Any questions or concerns regarding this policy need to be addressed with Thatcher PRIOR to departure for Belize.
Theft
We will do our best to keep our stuff safe, but theft can happen from outside, or inside the group. Do not bring expensive or "irreplaceable" things. Do not bring excessive amounts of cash.

Packing List

Some items below are blue, and are linked recommendations. For details on items, see the "MODES" above for details.

DO NOT BRING!!
  • Any item on the clothing "DO NOT BRING" list
  • Smart Watch
  • Speakers
  • Weapons (including knives)
  • Makeup, perfume, axe, hair tools (you will frizz...accept it)
  • Chocolate
  • Excessive cash
Clothing
  • 2 - Church top/bottom
  • 4 - VBS top/bottom
  • 4 - Work shirts/shorts
  • 3 - Lightweight sleepwear (tank/athletic shorts)
  • 11 - Undergarments
  • 2 - Swimwear
  • 11 - Pairs of socks
  • 1 - hat (ball-cap)
  • 1 - Junk closed-toe/tennis shoes to get destroyed
  • 1 - Casual athletic/street shoes
  • 1 - Dress shoes (boys)
  • 1 - Sandalls/slides
  • 1 - shower flip flops
  • 1 - Beach day outfit
  • 2 - Travel day outfits 1 to wear to Belize, 1 to pack.
Personal Items
  • Medications
  • Pepto-Bismol and Imodium
  • Bug spray (the strong stuff...not organic)
  • Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
  • Sunscreen (lots)
  • 2 - Bath towels
  • 2 - Beach towel
  • Washcloth
  • Wet wipes
  • Soap/shampoo
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Comb/brush
  • Contacts/solution/case
  • Glasses/glasses case
  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle (insulated with large opening) (no exposed straw)
  • Backpack (school-sized)
  • Simple Watch (Important)
  • Flashlight
  • Ear plugs
  • 3 - Garbage bags for laundry
  • 5 - Gallon ziplock baggies
  • 3 - Pairs cheap work gloves
  • Spending money US dollars
  • Digital Camera. Optional (cheap point-and-shoot or GoPro)
  • Bible, Pen
  • Hangout games: Uno, cards, dice, hackie-sack, frisbee, etc.
Travel Items
  • Passport
  • 2 - Copies of passport
  • Flight info (provide by Thatcher at Commissioning Sunday)
  • Medical information
  • Copy of insurance card/info
Sleeping Items
  • 3 - lightweight bottom sheets
  • 3 - lightweight top sheets
  • 3 - pillowcases
  • Pillow
  • Mosquito net (optional)
  • Personal battery operated fan

Air mattresses are no longer required. Our accommodations have mattresses

Tips & Tricks

Weigh your stuff!!
Please weight everything BEFORE coming to the airport.
Cameras
Taking photos occasionally is encouraged. Without access to your phone we recommend an inexpensive point-and-shoot like this, or a GoPro.
Don't expect to re-wear clothes
There is so much sweat. You won't want to put on a used set of clothes for the most part except swimwear. Also possibly sleepwear, because we recommend wearing the next day's undergarments at bed the night before.

Typically when clothes come off, they go into the garbage back to wash back at home.
Clothing general recommendations
Some clothing on this list might not exist in your wardrobe. That's ok. You probably don't want to take your nice wardrobe clothes with you. We highly recommend thrifting, or getting inexpensive Walmart athletic  clothing, especially for work days. Ugly, cheap cotton gear is fine for work clothes. You might get paint or concrete on them anyways!

For Church clothing, breathable fabric clothing isn't a bad idea especially for guys, who have to wear pants and collared shirt. Aim for athletic fabrics for guy church clothes!
Spending Money
Almost all meals will be covered. There will be a few meals, on travel days in the airports, as well as on our beach day that Students will want to have money for. In addition, there will be several opportunities to go to the store to buy snacks, sodas, souvenirs, etc.

For non-airport spending, US dollar is recommended. Belizean stores take American cash, and give Belizean change. So we recommend students bring smaller US bills.

For cash in-Belize, we recommend $5-10/day for snacks. Completely optional. We'll have lots of yummy food available.

Souvenir opportunities exist through the week. Students can spend as much or as little as they want. Prices and quality of souvenirs are similar to Mexico.

On our beach day snorkeling might be an option. If students want to do that, we recommend bringing an extra $50
Travel Bag Capacity
Everything needs to fit inside 1 checked bag (50lbs max) and 1 regular school-sized backpack. Nothing hanging on the outside.
Ziplock Beach/Travel Clothes
Our last full day in Belize is a beach day. We recommend zip locking your outfit for that, including towel/swimwear, to keep it nice and dry and not stinky.

Same is true for your return travel outfit. Keep it zip locked so it's nice and fresh when you're ready to put it on.