WHAT TO BRING (What are my must-haves on the Campaign?)

While the LCO can help make your trip the best it can be, your cooperation and attention to detail is essential. Please use our guide to help make your trip to Armenia as comfortable and memorable as possible. Choose loose, comfortable-fitting clothing for Campaign activities, and a few presentable outfits for touring the countryside and city night-life (plunging necklines and short skirts are not appropriate apparel at work sites or in temples of worship). Most work sites are at high elevations, so even in summertime, temperatures vary from 90º F during the day to 40º F at night. Please pack both light and heavy-weight garments accordingly. We recommend packing a minimal amount of mix ‘n’ match clothing. Optional items have been asterisked.

Documents

• address book*
• currency (cash, credit card, traveler’s checks) Please bring bills in small denominations that are fairly new. Damaged bills or those with writing on them are sometimes difficult to exchange.
• map of Armenia/Yerevan*
• passport and visa
• pens and pencils
• reading material (books, magazines)*
• travel diary or journal

Clothing Items

• 1 dress shirt
• 2 dress pants/skirts/dress (for sight-seeing/dining out)
• 10 pairs of underclothes
• 8 pairs of athletic socks and 2 pairs of dress socks
• pyjamas (flannel and light-weight-please choose modest attire, there is little privacy)
• 3 pairs of jeans, khakis, sweatpants or work pants
• 4 pairs of shorts (no short-shorts, please)
• 7 short sleeve T-shirts
• 2 long sleeve sweat shirts or flannel shirts
• 1 heavy sweater, knit or fleece jacket or a hooded wind-breaker
• hat(s) for midday sun protection
• 1 pair of work/hiking boots
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1 pair of dress shoes
• 1 pair of flip-flops/sandals for walking and the showers/beach
• 2 large bath/beach towels
• 1 wash cloth
• swim suit(s)
• belt(s)

Toiletries (Please pack enough quantities to last a month)
You can get most of these items on site. However, if you have preference of a specific brand you may opt to bring along. LCO will make time during the first day to allow you a mini-shopping spree for such items that are italicized below.

• bar of soap
• body creams and lotions
• comb and brush
• cologne/after-shave*
• cotton swabs
• deodorant
• eye drops*
• foot powder*
• hair gel/mousse*
• hand mirror*
• insect repellent
• lip balm
• moistened/alcohol towelettes (for disinfection)
• personal hygiene items
• safety pins
• shampoo and conditioner
• shaving items
• sunscreen
• tissue packs
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• toilet paper (5 rolls, with inner tubes removed)
• sewing kit
• spare pair of glasses/contacts
• solution/cleaners for contact lenses (choose chemical over heat disinfectants as electrical outlets cannot be guaranteed at some work sites)

Equipment

• a sleeping bag/fleece blanket
• 2 pairs of work gloves (IMPORTANT)
• a backpack for day trips*
• a thermos/canteen
• a flashlights and batteries
• adapter for electrical appliances (the power supply is AC 220 Volts, 50Hz via sockets for 2-pin plugs)
• all-purpose combination locks (not all work site accommodations have locking doors)
• a calculator*
• a camera with security strap, film (6 rolls or more are recommended), and batteries
• a laundry bag
• laundry detergent (biodegradable)
• a portable clothesline*
• a Swiss Army knife*
• a travel alarm clock
• a tape recorder, cassettes, batteries*
• a first aid kit* (the site leader will also have one)
• medicine (pain reliever, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea remedy, cold/flu)
• nasal spray*
• adhesive bandages*
• anti-bacterial spray/cream (Bactine, Neosporin, etc.)
• water purification tablets*

Nutrition
Although balanced meals will be provided, meat can be a rarity at some Campaign sites. Feel free to bring vitamin supplements and other items to reinforce your energy. Some things veteran volunteers suggest:

• crackers*
• Granola bars/Power bars*
• instant soup*
• peanut butter*
• vitamins*

Please remember that international customs regulations prohibit the transport of live foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, fruits, or vegetables.

Recreational items
LCO volunteers rely on their own resources and creativity for entertainment during free-time. Consider bringing some of the following:

• a mini backgammon or chess set
• a musical instrument
• playing cards
• songbooks or sheet music
• a soccer ball (they can be bought in Yerevan before you leave for your Campaign site)
• a baseball or tennis balls
• a Frisbee

Sticky items (things to have by your side at all times)
Again and again, veterans tell us that in order to account for the unexpected, they got used to carrying the following items around all the time:

• tissues, baby wipes, and other hygiene items
• a sweatshirt/hat for inclement weather
• a water bottle
• a flashlight
• a pad and pen

Recommended Gift Items for the Villagers
As stated earlier, if you are thinking about bringing items that you wouldn’t mind leaving behind with a local villager you may befriend, we have some suggestions. Instead of bringing candy or gum, consider bringing items not easily obtained in Armenia or Karabagh. Recent volunteers have stressed the importance of practical gifts. Some generous volunteers have even been known to leave everything but the shirts off their backs. Another example, one volunteer received permission to photograph each member of her host village, and later sent each villager his/her photograph. Some gift suggestions:

For adults

• medicine/first aid kits
• a flashlight or lantern
• car tools (wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, etc.)
• a sleeping bag
• work boots and footwear of any kind
• a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman utility kit
• sanitary supplies
• batteries of all sizes
• T-shirts
• work gloves
• toothpaste
• make up

For children (lots of things for them at the local market that are both cheap and essential):

• toys (soccer balls, volleyball nets, jump ropes, dolls)
• blank notebooks
• coloring books
• crayons, pencils, and pens
• erasers and pencil sharpeners
• activity kits of any kind

Packing Tips

In past years, volunteers have found that the less they bring, the lighter the load, and the easier the trip. We can’t emphasize this enough, and it is important to remember that all volunteers are required to handle their own baggage during the trip. Remember to choose a suitcase with locks to keep belongings secure when left in hotel rooms and at work site lodgings.

Some more suggestions:

• Pack a small carry-on bag of "essentials" that contains your money, passport, visa, jewelry, keys, camera, eyeglasses/contacts, medications, toiletries, fragile objects, and other items needed to get through one morning should your luggage stray.
• Line your luggage with plastic to protect contents from leaks/water damage.
• To conserve space, fill shoes with socks and handbags with small items that need extra protection.
• Split up your contents if you’re taking more than one piece of luggage so that you still have a bit of everything in case one item gets lost.
• Pack a piece of collapsible baggage inside your suitcase for holding purchases on your return.
• Create an inventory of all the things you plan to take. This will alert you if you’re taking too many things, and remind you of what you have brought once you arrive. It will also help jog your memory when filling out customs declarations (and filing insurance claims should there be a loss).
• Label your luggage, both outside and inside. Transparent laminated luggage tags containing your business card work well and avoid advertising the address of your unoccupied home.
• Take carry-on luggage that does not exceed the following size (and weight) restrictions for storage:
  a. under airline seats —9" x 14" x 22"
  b. in overhead compartments—10" x 14" x 36"
  c. in cabin closets—4" x 23" x 45"
  
• Be aware of foreign baggage policies. If you are flying to Armenia directly from North America with a layover in Paris of one day or less, you are to check-in 2 pieces of luggage; each bag may not exceed 32 kilos (about 70 pounds). However, if you are coming from within Europe, you are allowed to check in one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kilos (44 pounds). This means that, for volunteers arriving from outside of Europe who are planning to visit Paris a few days prior to departure to Armenia, they may have difficulty checking in two pieces of luggage. We know this is terribly unfair, but they are VERY strict about applying this policy and the charge for overweight luggage is quite high. Therefore, it is to your advantage to pack prudently and lightly.

SOUVENIR SHOPPING (What’s good to get?)

Although room and board is prepaid as part of your $1,400 payment to the LCO, bring some spending money to cover the cost of souvenirs, snacks and meals not taken with the LCO. Plan to bring at least $300-$500 for souvenirs. If you are using U.S. dollars or Euros, which are widely accepted forms of payment, it is preferable to have clean, crisp bills. Travelers check and credit cards could ONLY be used in banks and a few stores.

Wondering what’s worth buying?
Armenia is widely known for its award-winning brandies. You can find many local shops in Yerevan that sell such distinctive brands as Ararat, Dvin, and Nairi. Armenian craftspeople are renowned for producing beautiful and intricate merchandise like rugs, backgammon boards, traditional dolls, and eclectic jewellery. Visiting Vernissage is worthwhile while in Yerevan. Craftspeople and merchants from all over the country showcase their wares at the country’s largest outdoor bazaar. Vernissage is open all day Saturday and Sunday. If you’re interested in purchasing larger scale items (such as oriental carpets and fine art) keep in mind that such merchandise can cost a minimum of $100-500 each, depending on the quality and location of your purchase. Please note that all purchases of original carpets, artwork, or other valuables must be registered with the Ministry of Culture if you are to transport them out of the country. (This takes several days so make sure you speak to you Program Coordinator for guidance such as providing you with the address and business hours for the Ministry of Culture.)

Please Note: All LCO volunteers are responsible for the registration, approval, and duty payments on souvenir purchases. Failure to secure the appropriate paperwork for your purchases will guarantee heavy fines and confiscation of purchased goods upon departure from Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport.

PREP RESOURCES (How can I supplement my survival kit?)

Want to find out MORE about the ins-and-outs of a Summer Campaign?

• Request news clips about the LCO as well as a copy of the LCO news magazine, Tebi Yergir (Armenian for "Toward the Land").
• Request a free copy of a sight and sound video you can screen at home. Beyond Commitment is a 15-minute documentary produced by filmmaker and veteran LCO-USA Campaign volunteer/Board Member Serj Minassians AND Tebi Yergir is a 30 minute DVD about the 2002 Datev campaign prepared by Shant Minas a 3 time veteran/site leader. These resources, both informational and visually attractive, explain why so many people join an LCO Campaign, and what they get out of the experience.
• Attend one of our open houses at a location near you. You’ll see a slide presentation, and get to meet LCO representatives and Campaign veterans face-to-face.
• Ask us to connect you with veteran volunteers who’ve experienced the campaign. They can walk you through the entire program, and offer you advice from a "been there, done that" perspective.
• For details, contact us at: info@landandculture.org or 1-888-LCO-1555.

Other Resources
Want to know EVEN MORE about Armenia than what we’ve provided with this Info Pack? Need tips about the climate and cuisine; The people and their professions; Their lifestyles and living conditions; history? Then check out our Links page or look for the following books from the public library or by contacting one of our recommended Armenian Bookstores. Each of the books listed below are quick and snappy reads, written in a simple, direct format. They are also filled with color photos, maps, fast facts, and timelines

Armenia: A Rugged Land, An Enduring People by Lucine Kasbarian
(Discovering Our Heritage series, Dillon Press/Simon & Schuster, 1998)

Armenia by Sakina Dhilawala
(Cultures of the World series, Marshall Cavendish Publishers, 1997)

Armenia: Then and Now by Lerner Geography Dept.
(Then and Now series, Lerner Books, 1993)

The Armenian Earthquake by Chris Engholm
(World Disasters series, Lucent Books, 1989)

Goodbye Diaspora feature news article by Tony Halpin
(Cover story, Armenian International Magazine, February 1993).
This issue may be ordered directly from AIM at: 1 (818) 246-7979.

For background about Armenian art and architecture, take a look at one of the following books. All offer historical background, full-color photography, and English-language sections.

Armenian Art by Patrick Donabedian and Jean-Michel Thierry
(Harry Abrams Publishers, 1989)

Documents of Armenian Architecture by Armen and Agopik Manoukian
(23 editions in the series, Oemme Edizioni Publishers)

Treasures of Etchmiadzin Editorial and Photographic Compilation
(Etchmiadzin Publishers, 1984)

Communication Tools

Need to brush up on your Armenian, but don’t speak the language or read the script?

Pick up a copy of Armenian Dictionary in Transliteration by Thomas Samuelian. This English-Armenian/Armenian-English dictionary is written in English and focuses on the Western Armenian dialect. Western Armenian dialect is spoken in Armenian communities of Syria, Lebanon, Europe, North and South America, and other nations west of present-day Armenia. Note that the spoken dialect in Armenia is the Eastern.

For those of you who read Armenian script, try the pocket-size Hippocrene Concise Dictionary—English-Armenian/Armenian-English by Diana and Susanna Aroutunian. This volume is specifically produced with words from the Eastern Armenian dialect, which is, again, the spoken language in the Republic of Armenia, Mountainous Karabagh.
Find out about Tom Samuelian’s new Armenian-learn software program.

To find out about taking an Armenian language course, please contact:

CANADA
Armenian Prelacy Language Course, 514-856-1200, armenianprelacy@ca.inter.net

EAST COAST, USA
Armenian Prelacy Language Course, New York, NY 1 (212) 689-7810,
email@armenianprelacy.org
Armenian Diocese Language Course, New York, NY 1 (212) 686-0710

WEST COAST, USA
Armenian Prelacy Language Course, Los Angeles, CA 1 (323) 248-7737, prelacy@aol.com
Armenian Diocese Language Course, Los Angeles, CA 1 (818) 558-6333

RECOMMENDED ARMENIAN BOOKSTORES
New York City
Armenian Prelacy Bookstore 1 (212) 689-7810
AGBU Bookstore 1 (212) 319-6383
St. Vartan Bookstore 1 (212) 686-0710

Boston area
ALMA Bookstore 1 (617) 926-ALMA
Hairenik Bookstore 1 (617) 926-3964
NAASR Bookstore 1 (617) 489-1610

Los Angeles
Abril Bookstore 1 (818) 243-4112
Armenian Reference Books Co. 1 (818) 504-2550
Sardarabad Book Service 1 (818) 500-0790
Shirak Bookstore 1 (213) 667-1128

And don’t forget to visit the LCO website again!

"LCO experience was a revelation for me. It gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons both personally and professionally. One of the most important experiences of my life and an important factor in determining my future goals."
Lara Aharonian, August 1999, August 2001, Montreal, Canada