What to Pack for a YWAM DTS
October 19, 2020 - January 1, 2030
What to Pack for a YWAM DTS
Knowing what you should pack for a YWAM DTS can be hard. Maybe you’ve never packed for overseas travel before, or maybe you’ve never been away from home for more than 2 weeks.
Well, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll show you exactly what you need to pack for a DTS.
For a YWAM DTS, there are 5 types of items you should pack:
- Clothes appropriate for the lecture phase
- Clothes appropriate for the outreach phase
- Clothes for specific occasions
- Bedding
- Personal accessories
What you pack will also depend on the season you will be doing your DTS.
So, we’ve broken the packing list down into what is appropriate for both the summer season and the winter season.
(If you’re still undecided about which season to do your DTS then check out this post about the best time of year to do your DTS with us.)
If you bring everything that’s recommended on this then you should be set up for a great YWAM DTS!
Summer Season
If you do a DTS in October or January you will be stepping into summer, which means the sun is SHINING! We love to uphold our culture of respecting and honouring one another by following our dress code.
Here’s what we recommend you pack for the DTS:
- T-shirts – include both long sleeve and tank tops – no spaghetti straps
- Shorts – mid thigh at least
- Swimwear – swimsuit and shorts
- Hoodie, Jumper and Sweater
- Jeans, Trackies, Joggers, Leggings and Yoga Pants
- Socks and Underwear
- Sleepwear
- Rain Jacket
- Shoes (sneakers, sandals, flip flops, dress, etc.)
Winter Season
Heading into the winter season (April and July), there are differences to consider. The buildings in New Zealand are not commonly insulated, therefore, it is cold inside and outside. Keeping this is mind, there are different things to bring. When it comes to what clothes to pack, we like our layers!
Here’s our recommended list of what to pack:
- Rain/Winter Jacket
- Hoodies, Jumpers and Sweaters
- Trackies, Sweatpants, Joggers, Leggings and Yoga Pants
- Wool or Warm Socks and Underwear
- Warm Sleepwear
- Jeans and shorts
- T-shirts (include long sleeves)
- Shoes (sneakers, sandals, flip flops, dress, warm, etc.)
Accessories
As well as clothing you will want to bring some accessories with you as well.
Some accessories to pack are…
- Toothbrush & Paste
- Deodorant
- Bath/Beach Towel
- Water Bottle
- Sunnies
- Torch/Flashlight
- Camera
- Regional Power Outlet Adaptor
- Phone/Charger
- Headphones/Earplugs
- Computer/Charger
- Bible
- Journal/Pens
- Spending money
Additional Information
- At the start of each school, we have what is called a Pōwhiri, which is a traditional Māori Welcome Ceremony. During this event, we ask that everyone wears black dress clothes.
- For graduation and other celebrations, we also recommend you pack nice dress clothes, or something to dress up in.
- You can pack your own bedding (fitted sheet, pillowcase, duvet cover, sleeping bag), or you have the opportunity to buy some here in Tauranga.
“Coming into prayer and passion I had so much passion and desires but did not know how to bring them to the feet of the Lord in prayer. Going through the journey of growing in prayer and discipline I was able to walk out with a passion and desire to take all that was on my heart to the foot of the cross in prayer. I found a love for that intimate time of prayer with the Lord in a way I haven’t known before!”
Beza Sparkes, 22, Ethiopia/Alaska
“In the Kingdom Come stream, we really focused on what the kingdom of God is and how to live that out on earth. The most impactful aspect of this was walking out a miraculous lifestyle and being in an intimate relationship with God, where you can expect miracles to happen.”
Peter Seip, 25, Virginia, USA
“Prayer and Passion completely changed my outlook on the true power that prayer has. It had always been something that I knew worked and I did, but it was boring. Being a part of this stream gave me new understanding of how prayer is worship and fuels the power of heaven connecting with earth. It will move you to a place of praying out of your relationship with the Lord rather than giving him a list of things you want. You will gain a newfound intimacy with God as your prayer life is propelled.”
Tilly Logan, 21, Australia
“Reading the whole Bible was a real challenge for me, but it was so rewarding. My eyes were opened to the fact that Jesus had existed from the very beginning and that God’s gracious heart always was and is the same! I learned that the Bible isn’t just a story about God, but rather a story about imperfect, raw, real people. I know now that I am one of them, and that I can see God work in my life just like He did it with them!”
Jenny Fritz, 19, Germany
“At the beginning of the DTS I did not believe in the power of prayer neither did I believe that God even heard my prayers. By the end of it I had no doubt in my mind at all that we have a Father in heaven who always bends His ear to us when we speak and that when we pray in the name of Jesus miracles will be birthed by our words and God’s power.”
Calvin Joubert, 20, South Africa
“The Pilgrimage DTS allowed me to take the time I needed to get to know God more and grow closer to Him while spending lots of time in His beautiful creation. God also used the hikes to challenge and encourage me to rely on Him more.”
Colin Berkley, 24. B.C. Canada
“The Justice Movement stream really opened my eyes to what justice looks like through the eyes of God. Justice is more than making wrong right, it’s walking in mercy and humility. Justice is bringing light and life to orphans, widows, immigrants, and hope to anyone who is oppressed.”
Naomi Wilson, 18, AB, Canada
“We had been married for 5 years when we came to Marine Reach. As a married couple, we learned a lot about each other and ourselves and gained a lot for our marriage. What we enjoyed most during the GO PAC stream times was the mix between the depth we dove into God’s Word, getting to know His plan for us better, and the times thinking and learning about the interesting Pacific cultures. We think it is so important to get to know new cultures. At the base, there are many different cultures, but you really want to get to know the one culture where you live and where you’re going on outreach. We experienced that when spiritual basics are understood with the heart and not only with the mind, that is what brings change into your daily life, and that is what you can carry home after DTS.“
Tobias & Annika Dietrich, 26 & 26, Germany
“Before joining the Medical Compassion stream, it was hard for me to understand what total surrender looked like in my life. I realize now that it is not my own compassion that compels me to love and care for others, but rather, it is the Father’s heart through me. I realize now that He is the true Savior, and I am simply a vessel chosen to carry His love and mercy to those hurting around me.”
Maeve Cooney, 18, Maryland, USA
“Last year I decided to seek after God wholeheartedly and applied for the Pilgrimage DTS. Going on this journey (physically and spiritually) has been life-changing! Instead of wandering on my own, I am now following the Almighty God. I have rediscovered a personal and intimate relationship with my Creator!”
Tim Stallard, 26, Switzerland
