Hello, all.

Any suggestions for kit(s) for a child heading off to a semi-rural college. I'm thinking car kit, dorm kit, EDC, camping kit for mountain park day trips as well as coastal beach/river kayaking.

I've pulled many good ideas out of the archives. Just wondering if anyone has additional ideas that may be campus-oriented.

Btw, he's only somewhat "preparedness-minded" by my estimation. He is a trained and experienced lifeguard.

How big a college? What is their rules? How rural is semi-rural? How secure can you make your vehicle, and what is your vehicle? What kind of dorm- two a room cell-style, two to a room in a suite, one to a room in a suite? How far are you from home? Buddies from home there, or will you be a stranger? Is your plan to stay at the school if SHTF, or head home?

A good FAK, with a bottle of Immodium in your desk (college food will kick your hoop for the first few weeks). At LEAST a week of real food, plus a bit more (college food will suck after the first few weeks), plus water and your carbonated/caffinated beverage of choice. Earplugs. Nitrile gloves, a box of them (some people are just slobs). Your own stash of real TP from home. Two hot pots, or a hot pot and an electic kettle. A Brita pitcher or similiar (never been on a campus where the water didn't taste funny) and sugar free flavorants. A good door wedge.

For the car, the basics. Add a small camp stove and/or a small grill to your trunk, with fuel and a cook set. A map that is marked with your primary, at least two secondary, and as many tertiary routes home as you can think of.

Condoms...lots of them.

I sent my daughter to school with a toolkit; hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, racket and sockets. She said that was the most useful thing I gave her.

I did make sure she had a car kit. Also a small emergency kit when riding her bike. She rides 10-25 miles a day for exercise.

make sure they want to carry it. A mistake often made is making stuff for other they don´t want.

Hmm, well, for an EDC, get them a leatherman wave, a sewing kit, a pocket sized fak, a refillable butane lighter, some duct tape, a book of stamps, a pre-paid telco card, a prepaid credit card with about $500 on it, a pocket LED flashlight, a metro card if they are in a public transit area and the indefinite use by option is available, with about a month's worth of trips prepaid on it, a 1 gig thumb drive, and instructions that all the prepaids are for "emergency use" only, and will be renewed periodically if not abused.

Sounds like you've got the basics covered, but I'd throw in some kind of trunk that your kid can secure with a lock and hide under the bed or in a closet. Things have a way of growing legs and running off on a college campus...

Go to a good knife shop and have them try the feel of the different brands & models for feel. Even different models from the same company may not be similar. It's a matter of personal preference. What feels right to me may not work for you. Mine is the Victorinox line. I EDC a Swiss Champ XLT & a CRKT M-16 locking folder. If I know I'm going to be using it working or going hiking I carry their Spirit model.

Edit

If you near this area you can get a look and good prices at Smoky Mountain Knife Works. SMKW

Hello and welcome Henry_Porter,
I am in my second year at Cal State Monterey Bay and so far everything mentioned sounds great. Something I would add is a good sit down talk about what you expect from the college bound student. Topics should include grades, sex, proper behavior, finances, drug/alcohol and any topics you feel are important. Also do not forget to tell them to have fun, make smart decisions and that you love them no matter what.

In addition to this, a really good mattress pad is a good idea. I just got a Geo-Pad by Span-America Medical Inc. it is the best thing ever. I think my dad got it from a Medical Supply Place. A good set of tools for the car that he never lends out and a cheap set, from target for the dorm room that he can lend out. Send a few good, microwavable dishes. 2 sets of sheets for an extra long twin mattress. Do not forget that space is very limited in the dorms and most of the affordable housing near campus. Make sure you let him pick out these things and be there willing to give advice. I remember my parents kept telling me what I should get and it was very frustrating.

Hope this is useful.

Good advice. My daughter swore that an iPod and a new Cell Phone were essential campus gear. I was skeptical but relented. You raise them to make good decisions, gotta let go sometime.