When packing for your week (or more!) at SYP, bring what you need for your stay, but try not to over pack.
The following is a general list of what you can expect to bring. In addition, some classes require additional or special equipment. Check below the general list for program-specific suggestions.
General Packing Guidelines
- Everyday clothing and underwear for a week
- Light jacket
- Heavy sweatshirt
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Clothes that can get dirty (jeans, t-shirts, etc.)
- Closed-toe shoes (mandatory for lab classes)
- Comfortable/casual shoes
- Long pants, long-sleeved shirts (mandatory for lab classes and service learning activities)
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, etc.)
- Slippers or flip flops
- Prescription medications* (See below for further details)
- Personal fan (box fan or smaller)
- Spending money (recommended $50-60 per week)
- Cell phone and/or camera with associated chargers
- Swimsuit/beach towel
- Pens/pencils and notebook
- Boots (mandatory if you are participating in Materials Science & Engineering or the Casting group project for ESP/WIE)
- Hat
- Alarm clock
- Recreational/outdoors equipment
- Books, cards, and board games
- Laptop**
**There are public computers available in the campus library. Additionally, students may use the Michigan Tech guest network.
- TVs
- Gaming Consoles
- Refrigerators
- Microwaves/Hot Plates
- Drones/UAVs
- Pocket Knives, weapons of any kind or weapon shaped/themed toys
- Binoculars
While we do not have a detailed or highly prescriptive dress code, we expect participants to be neat, clean, and appropriately dressed for an academic environment. Lab classes have attire requirements for safety reasons and participants are required to bring and wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and full-cover shirts. Students with long hair are required to clip or tie it back in lab environments.
SYP staff retains the discretion to determine the suitability and appropriateness of participants’ clothing and may ask participants to change accordingly.
*Prescription Medications
All students taking prescription medications, are required to bring and turn in medication in pre-dosed dispensers (such as a weekly pill sorter) with medications sorted by time of administration. Dosing information for prescription medications should be documented in your Student Profile in CampDoc.
The participant is responsible for coming to the SYP Front Desk to have their medications administered. If you have questions regarding self-administration/self-possession, please contact us with additional information and our team will review the request on a case by case basis. Any participant who distributes a medication of any kind to another participant or is found to possess a medication other than the one authorized violates the program's Code of Conduct.
SYP does provide many as-needed, over-the-counter medications. Please do not send these with your child. In your CampDoc Student Profile, you will have the opportunity to authorize SYP staff to provide specific over-the-counter medications or not.
Program-Specific Packing Lists
Some classes require equipment or other special supplies. Pack these things in addition to your regular items.
Pathway Programs
Many of your engineering sessions and group projects have a few requirements for safety reasons: please plan accordingly! For overall suggestions, see above. In addition, you are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- They should cover all the way down to your ankles, and not have holes or rips.
- If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will need to bring natural fiber pants to ensure lab safety.
- Closed-toe shoes
- “Sneakers”/tennis shoes or similar are great. Open-top flats, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed in the lab!
- If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will need to bring boots (preferably leather but not required).
- Hair ties/clips to keep long hair back for safety.
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Note: If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will be reminded of any additional requirements.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
NSTI requires you bring some extra items for safety purposes in addition to your regular packing list. You are required to bring:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped or torn
- Closed-toe shoes
- “Sneakers”/tennis shoes or similar are great. Open-top flats, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed in the lab!
- Hair ties/clips to keep long hair back for safety
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
- Weekend bag or smaller suitcase
- NSTI will do a short weekend trip away from Michigan Tech, so you'll want to be able to bring some—but not all—of your things.
Recommended
- Camera
- Sturdy shoes
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
RIT requires you bring some extra items for safety purposes in addition to your regular stuff. You are required to bring:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- “Sneakers”/tennis shoes or similar are okay, but steel-toed shoes or boots would be better.
- Open-top flats, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed in the lab or at our field trip venues.
- Hair ties/clips to keep long hair back for safety
- Light jacket
- Our field trips are outdoors and the weather in the Keweenaw can be unpredictable in some locations.
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
- Reusable water bottle
- Weekend bag or smaller suitcase
- Tracks to the Future will do a multi-day field trip away from Michigan Tech, so you'll want to be able to bring some—but not all—of your things.
Recommended
- Camera
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
In addition to the regular packing list items, you are encouraged to bring:
- Business casual attire for visiting local businesses
- A smartphone and/or laptop computer (if you have one)
Many of your engineering sessions and group projects have a few requirements for safety reasons: please plan accordingly! For overall suggestions, see above. In addition, you are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants should cover all the way to your ankles without rips or holes.
- If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will need to bring natural fiber pants to ensure lab safety.
- Closed-toe shoes
- “Sneakers”/tennis shoes or similar are great. Open-top flats, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed in the lab!
- If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will need to bring boots (preferably leather but not required).
- Hair ties/clips to keep long hair back for safety.
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Note: If you are assigned to the Casting Group Project, you will be reminded of any additional requirements.
Engineering
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Hair ties/clips
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
- Natural fiber shoes
- Closed-toe, natural material shoes (leather or other natural) are expected for safety during blacksmithing. No synthetic materials, like polyester, nylon, or plastic.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
Science and Technology
Please bring the following in addition to your regular items:
Business casual attire
You will be visiting some local businesses and/or giving a little presentation about your ideas at the end of the week. We'd love to see everyone dressed professionally for these occasions.
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
Lab classes all have a few requirements for safety reason in addition to your regular items. You are required to bring and wear:
- Long pants
- Pants that cover all the way to your ankles and aren't ripped
- Closed-toe shoes
- "Sneakers"/tennis shoes or otherwise are great.
- Hair tie/clip
- To keep long hair back safely
- Full-cover shirts
- No exposed torsos in the lab! This includes crop tops or side-cut gym shirts. Regular t-shirts are fine.
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!
Computing
Be sure to leave room in your suitcase to take your new computer home! We recommend leaving about 2.5 cubic feet of space plus room for padding.
Business, Humanities, and Law
This exploration has a number of field days at sites around the Keweenaw. You need to bring the following in addition to your regular items.
Required
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Small day bag/pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Shoes you can walk/hike around in during the daytime—and that can get dirty and/or wet!
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Rain jacket/poncho
Encouraged
- Camera
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Anything else you feel you need to be out hiking, learning, and getting dirty!