Here are some very unofficial “what to bring to the Highlands Malawi Mission Network Face-to-Face meeting” suggestions. If you have never visited Colorado, this may help in your planning! If you have been to this mile-high state before, this will help jog your memory! We look forward to seeing you in August!

Clothing
    Colorado in general — and Highlands in particular — is a very informal place. Jeans and t-shirts are the standard “uniform” during the summer. Shorts are fine but you may find our weather is cooler than your home. Be sure to pack at least one pair of long pants! Even if the day has been warm, the temperature will drop a lot as soon as the sun goes down. If we are outside for a campfire or evening devotions, you will be glad for a sweater or a light jacket

    Footwear should include tennis shoes and/or hiking shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are highly impractical on Highlands’ stony paths (but work inside)!

Evening attire (i.e. pajamas!) should be comfortable for cool or even cold nights.

Personal Items
   Colorado is dry!!! Please bring a personal water bottle --- then fill it up and drink it! Dehydration is a major factor in altitude sickness and because our climate is so dry, you probably will not realize you are sweating until it is too late. It isn’t a bad idea to drink a glass of water at each meal, as well.

    A flashlight will come in handy if you want to take a stroll outside in the evening or if you need to find something in the suitcase without waking your roommate.

Sunglasses and sunscreen. Colorado is a mile higher to the sun than you may be used to and that means your skin will burn very quickly. Even if you are a tanned msungu, bring and use at least an SPF 15 sunscreen. Our Malawian friends may disregard this notice!

    Cell phones will not work at Highlands and in many other areas reception can be spotty, given the mountain terrain.