Topic: What should I bring to jams/meets?

[Asa]

Jam Checklist

This is a list of items that you should bring to a meeting with other traceurs. It is advisable to bring a backpack to hold these items, especially if the jam is not within walking distance of your home.

Clothing
-Comfortable T-shirt or sleeveless shirt.
-Comfortable, durable pants that allow your full range of motion.
-Sweatshirt or Jacket that does not constrict movement.
-Durable athletic shoes (cross trainers or running shoes).
-Socks and Underwear (please don't tell me you were about to go out without underwear).
-Weather appropriate outerwear (poncho, coat, windbreaker etc.).

In your wallet
-Enough cash to get food, drink and to take public transportation home (in case of emergency).
-The cellphone number of the host of the jam (as well as change to call from a payphone).
-Picture Identification in the form of a valid driver's liscence or school ID.
-ICE card (In Case of Emergency). Take an index card and clearly write your full name, age, address, allergies, medical conditions, current medications and emergency contacts. Stow this in your wallet. Don't you feel better already?
-Train, bus, ferry, plane or subway ticket(s).

Others
-Your cell phone.
-At least a liter of water (that's 2 bottles).
-Deodorant (for the ride back).
-A snack (fig newtons or a power bar, nothing too big).


Things NOT to bring
-Automatic Firearms
-Livestock
-Barrels of fresh produce.
-Excuses

Make sure to check with the host of the jam to see if you will need anything special and to check the time and meeting place one last time before heading out the door. Also, be aware of weather conditions and dress accordingly. Don't show up to a blizzard jam in shorts and a T-shirt. Enjoy your learning experience!

[Gearsighted]

One thing I might add: try to bring the least amount possible. If you can bring a bit of cash and a metro card and stick it in your sock, you're better off than bringing a pile of snacks, a camera and a gallon of water that you have to carry all day. There are times where you will need all of these things, but whatever you can do without, leave it at home. I have too often become the guy with the huge, hulking backpack at jams, unable to keep up with the runs between spots (more often than not because the people who DIDN'T bring a backpack have loaded mine down with their crap)

[Altimot]

also, make sure you keep track of your stuff, if you put it down or something like that. I am suggesting this because at one jam i went to, my friends backpack was stolen by a paraplegic hobo. not kidding.  My camera phone, three of my friends money, and the lasso of truth (don't even ask) all adding up to around 200-300 dollars were stolen. So, if you put your stuff down keep an eye on it or check every now and then.

[Quazar]

Yes, yes indeed;

I sure hope that paraplegic hobo put the lasso of truth to good use.
I'm gonna miss that lasso of truth... and also my money.

[Mark Toorock]

In answer to Gear's last post, I'd say "what not to bring" is a backpack, I just bring all my s#it and throw it in his 

[Asa]

Yeah, gear, you're totally right, I'm not saying that you should have ALL of these things, but it's a good reminder to be prepared. Of course, not all of us are fortunate enough to own a car, where all of our stuff is within reach without being burdensome, so a backpack is sometimes the only option.

This was my list for what I brought to the Bethesda/Silver Springs jam last week. For local jams, I rarely bring more than some money and my water. So the lesson to be learned is to be prepared, but within reason. 

[Skipper]

If this is a list of stuff from the MD jam, then you totally forgot that box of cookies you brought!
Also, bring a bag bitch. The bag bitch is the only person that shows up to jams that has a backpack, and is then forced to hold everyone's cell phones and whatnot.

[Mark Toorock]

"Bag Bitch" has to go in the Lexicon!!

[Brian Belida]

also see "gearsighted"
should be in the thesaurus part for "bag bitch" as well as "water bitch"
in fact, just put it under "pack mule"

[Skipper]

or perhaps, right under "bitch"?

[Mark Toorock]

Ouch!! That's no way to treat the guy who carries all our stuff around!!

[Skipper]

LOL

[Mitsuko]

UF used to have a description on what to bring to a jam, I'll search for it...

[Gearsighted]

Skip, Akh, M2....your momma's...collectively

[Thomas Edwards]

OWNED! (see above post)
(collectively)

i've done a few runs w/ a camel back.  i wear it on my stomach so as to not hinder me when i try to roll.  this is enough to hold cell phone/water/powerbar.  a bit uncomfortable though.

[Gearsighted]

Hehe, dude, bag-bitch is soooo already in the lexicon, complete with the gear reference and everything!

http://www.americanparkour.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=55

[W0LF]

I'll carry your bag gear... carry it right to the nearest drop and see if I can't hit a passerby.

I must say I'm glad that Kipup brought his little bandaids etc. to the last jam seeing as I was bleeding profously from the arm... well not that bad but thanks! So I'd say bring Kipup! or at least have some bandaids on hand. Though in the middle of a city I'm sure you can find something if needed so I basically just voided out my own post? Oh well bring bandaids!

[Quazar]

Wait, what the...

You forgot Duct Tape!
Every self respecting human being knows you should always have a roll at hand... jeez

Pretty much forget everything else, I mean, Duct tape is medically acceptable as a bandaging agent so check bandaids off the list.
Money, well, it's accepted as a negotiable commodity at most retailers.
Food? I'm not picky, just sprinkle on some salt or make a duct tape sandwich, with duct tape bread.
Clothes? Uh, I'm not even gonna touch that one man.
and if someone's getting anoying at your jam, it can be used as a voice suppressent
or you can altogether tape them to a wall! then see who can wall run over there head, oodles of fun

[Flippusmn]

Oh you gotta bring an extra pair of pants because s**t happens, well at least to me every time I go to a jam. Nooo I never pissed myself, though I have ripped them.lol

[Brian Belida]

Oh man, so have I, and skipper. The first jam I met skipper at he tore his pants HUGELY on the beak of a penguin statue he was vaulting over =D
And me, well, there's the "pants saga" on the blooper reel of the Dispersion DVD.