Obtain materials for the trip

• Order the FMI Field Guide for each team member. This book includes a trip journal, which will help team members remember all the details of the trip
• A digital camera is incredibly helpful. You can immediately delete any pictures that aren't very good. When you return, the pictures can be easily imported into a Powerpoint presentation for follow-up with supporters. For longer trips, pictures can be emailed back to supporters at home while the trip is in progress.
• Provide a packing list for the team. Encourage the team to leave expensive items at home, for these reasons: 1. reduce chance of disappointment from theft or loss; 2. reduce the cultural divide between the haves and the have-nots.
• Build a Team Leader "Take Along" list, including:
  • team manifest
  • photocopies of key documents of each team member
  • emergency contacts
  • permission documents for underage travelers
  • medical release forms for all team members
  • medical info on team members
• Depending upon the destination, the team should bring a First Aid Kit with medications appropriate for the particular mission field (i.e. Imodium, Ibuprofen, malaria pills, etc.). All the members of the team should become familiar with the contents of the kit. It is also useful to bring a thermometer.