Register for Gear Up! Event:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/gbr-gear-up-camping-weekend-and-mock-deployment

Dust off your Gear, refresh your Supplies, Deploy with the Team

All volunteers are urged to attend!

Pack up the camping gear and supplies you'd bring on a Grounded Boots Relief crisis deployment. This is your weekend to gear up and to get outdoors!

This is an educational and social weekend, designed to sharpen your readiness as a volunteer and meet like-minded people!

North Mills River Campground
5119 N. Mills River Road
Mills River, NC 28742

Potable water, restrooms, and parking are available at the campground.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/north-mills-river-campground

Weekend Schedule (full details are being arranged)

Friday, November 13

• Set up the Operations Center
• Set up campsites
• Bring your own dinner
• Bonfire

Saturday, November 14

• 10:00 AM–12:00 PM:            Morning session
• 12:00–1:00 PM:                     Bring your own lunch
• 1:00–3:00 PM:                       Afternoon session
• 3:30–5:00 PM:                       Break
• 5:00 PM:                                 GBR-sponsored dinner and bonfire
• 6:30 PM:                                 GBR Gear Up Event!

Sunday, November 15

• Camp breakdown
• Area cleanup

Mock Deployment Weekend Packing List

Bring the gear and supplies you will use for a typical GBR deployment. Plan for cool weather, wet conditions, and comfortable overnight camping.

Clothing and Personal Sustainment

¨  Personal food, snacks, and hydration to support you for the duration of the event

¨  Food, Water, and Cooking Supplies: food/water storage (coolers, dry bags, or airtight bins), portable stove with fuel, cooking/eating utensils, lighter or waterproof matches, water purification backup, biodegradable soap, and wildlife-resistant food storage if needed

¨  Climate appropriate field clothing (durable pants, long‑sleeve shirts, insulating layers as needed)

¨  At least two pairs of socks per operational day, plus extra undergarments and pajamas

¨  Comfortable camp/evening footwear (e.g., sandals, crocs, or similar)

¨  Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, and optional lightweight blanket or liner

¨  Personal hygiene kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, hygiene products

¨  Required prescription medications (minimum 7-day supply), basic OTC medications (pain relief, antidiarrheal, antihistamine)

¨  Refillable water bottles or hydration bladder plus purification method (tabs/filter) as backup

¨  Cash in small bills for fuel, tolls, and incidentals

Shelter and Sleep

¨  Tent, truck, camper, or other sleeping quarters

¨  Tent rainflies, stakes, ground tarp, and needed setup supplies

¨  Cool-weather sleeping bag w Sleeping pad or air mattress

¨  Pillow and extra blanket, sleeping-bag liner, or insulated quilt

¨  Camp chair and camp furniture

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

¨  Waterproof work boots, preferably steel-toe, broken‑in, and suitable for debris and uneven terrain

¨  Work gloves (heavy-duty plus a backup pair)

¨  Weather protection: rain jacket or poncho, hat, sunblock, and insect repellent

¨  Attached personal first‑aid trauma kit and tourniquet

Communications and Power

¨  Discord, Avenza Maps, and what3words apps installed

¨  Compass; GPS unit or GPS-enabled smartphone

¨  FRS/GMRS handheld radios or other assigned portable radios, with spare batteries

¨  Fully charged cell phones, with vehicle and wall chargers, charging cables, and power banks

¨  Headlamps and flashlights with extra batteries; at least one light per team member

¨  Small AM/FM or NOAA weather radio (hand‑crank or battery-powered) for situational updates

Tools and Miscellaneous Gear

¨  Flashlight, headlamp, and portable camp lights

¨  Multi-tool or folding knife; optional small fixed‑blade knife

¨  Small folding shovel or entrenching tool (if operating in debris or rural areas)

¨  Duct tape, zip ties, utility cord (paracord) for field repairs and improvised fixes

¨  Small repair kit for gear (needle and thread, safety pins, spare buckles)

¨  Backpack or small daypack for each team member to carry personal and mission gear

¨  Trash bags for personal waste and to pack out debris samples or spoiled materials safely

¨  Clip-on or pocket-sized hand sanitizer and wipes at the individual level

Field Essentials (items depend on deployment)

¨  Tape measure (at least 25 ft) for structural and debris measurements

¨  Digital camera or smartphone camera, with extra storage if needed, for geotagged photos

¨  Safety glasses or goggles and optional sunglasses for bright conditions

¨  Hard hat or bump cap where overhead or structural hazards may exist

¨  High‑visibility safety vest (ANSI-compliant) with reflective striping

¨  Respiratory protection: N95 or better dust masks/respirators for smoke, dust, and mold

¨  Hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) for noisy environments