I’ve seen block bags come in many different shapes and sizes. From duffel bags, briefcases, and tote bags, to dry bags, school backpacks, plastic bags, and those old-school metal lunch kits. The possibilities are endless depending on one's preference for convenience, durability, or swagger. In addition to the plethora of bags I’ve seen on the block over the years, contents within these bags have also varied.

On the spectrum of subjectively useless, to thank god I packed this, I’ve seen quite a range of decision making outcomes.

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Here are some block bag essentials I would recommend based on my experience.

Sunscreen

Before you roll your eyes at me because I sound like a concerned helicopter parent at the beach, hear me out. For the longest time, I thought sunscreen was evil. I didn’t have much information to back this up, just a gut feeling that chemicals on my skin all day long was bad. However, as I started to see more of my friends slapping on sunscreen, I wondered if I was being a rebel without a cause who was doing more harm to herself than good. Like anything, one has to learn these lessons for themselves. Here is a cool article I found while working on this piece:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen.

Ultimately, you make your own decisions about your health, thank goodness, but one thing I am trying to do more of is research something in-depth before making conclusions while also staying open to changing my mind. Learning about sunscreen was empowering, considering I spent so much time outside. Sunscreen is in the block bag for those keeners excited to protect their skin because you know we need to re-apply!

Mini First Aid Kit

• Water purification tabs - it doesn’t happen often, but it has happened where folks get left out on the block or get lost. Humans are human and make mistakes. I never needed the water tablets, but they are something I’d rather have and not need than need and not have.

• Tampons / pain relief meds - even if you don’t menstruate, imagine the great feeling of being able to help somebody out who needs one; be that person. Pain relief because of so many ouchies.

• Alcohol wipes - use these before attempting minor wound surgery during the day; your non-existent infection will thank you.

• Tweezers - these are great for pulling out thorns, wood chunks, or debris from a wound.

• Bandaids / polysporin - great to reapply at the end of the day if there is a long commute home.

Rain Gear

Call me superstitious, but leaving it at home is a bad omen. It can’t be only me who has experienced this:

It’s sunny and warm in the morning. I am packing up my block bag, look over at my rain gear and think, ‘Ah, I won’t need it today; my bag will be lighter and less bulky if I just leave it here.’ Meanwhile, the rain gods are looking down on me, laughing, saying, ‘Classic humans with their famous last words.’

The day is chugging along. Everything is fine until BAM, huge rain clouds roll in quickly. I am soaked to the bone in minutes and still have hours to go before the end of the day. If I’m lucky, someone at my cache or my crew leader will have an extra - but I won’t count on it.

I learned my lesson a few too many times. Once I got into my groove, I started packing two raincoats. Two raincoats may be fancy, but a lighter one is nice for warmer days, and a rubber one will actually keep you dry (though you will get sweaty, have you heard of Merino wool?) Having two raincoats packed means, I have an extra if someone needs it, or I have a backup if I forget the one I put out to dry.

Food and Water

This is an obvious one I know, but I have experienced it myself and seen many others suffer the same fate of forgetting these essentials at home.

This includes your packed lunch, as well as all the snacks in the entire world. Just me on that one? Cool. I mention water here not because you should try and stuff your 5-10 L vessel inside your day bag, though I have seen some folks do this (to each their own), but because there are a lot of options for what can go inside your water to keep you hydrated and replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat. Here are some things to consider putting in your water*:

• Salt

• Gatorade powder

• MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides)

• Protein powder or BCAA (branch-chain amino acids)

*Research this for yourself. Every body is different and requires different support. I am just sharing what has worked for me.

Duct Tape

Need I say more? It helps in so many situations. Taping fingers, fixing gear, holding anything together, making a cool bracelet or flower corsage, using it to identify your stuff. It’s the more rugged sibling of coconut oil; the possibilities are truly endless.

Bug Spray

You may think there will be no bugs, but then there are bugs, and it is awful. Often as a planter, you don’t know what type of terrain you will be going to; sometimes, it’s high and dry and other times, it’s low and swampy. Being prepared is key.

After years of using standard deet bug spray, I started opting for more natural options. Anything with citronella, lemongrass, peppermint or tea tree oil. I found all of these super helpful and less toxic.

Wool Socks in a Ziploc Bag

I can hear some vets reading this and thinking this is very bougie, and you’re not wrong, but let me paint you a picture:

It’s day four, supposed to be day off, but there is a block that has to close. It's zero degrees. The past three shifts have been a mix of rain and snow. You bought yourself a better pair of boots this year, but they got real wet on day one and are still wet. Your feet are the kind of wet that when you take a step, there is a sloshing sensation in your boot; almost like there is a bunch of water in there, because, in fact, there is. Are you with me? Okay, good.

Now you’ve just finished bag up number one; it took you half an hour longer than anticipated because this piece is fucked up. Oh, and also. It’s 7:45 am. Camp is close to this block, so the drive is only 20 minutes, which is excellent for money but hard for body and brain.

Now, it is my philosophy that life is hard. I aim to try and set myself up to experience as much joy and coziness as possible during this rough and rocky existence. Remembering that I have a dry pair of fluffy wool socks to wear immediately after the workday ends brings me tremendous relief and joy.

Baby Wipes

If you are less inclined towards bougie-ness, perhaps consider toilet paper, but baby wipes will help you feel fresh and clean after a block poop or changing a tampon. They are also great for the end of the day to clean off dirt, bug spray, and cakey sunscreen. I liked the fresh feeling of my dry socks and clean face at the end of the day.

These were the essentials I learned to bring over an eight-year planting career. Everyone’s block bag is different and unique, like them! While there are some things to keep in mind regarding safety, it is up to you to decide what you bring out there. When I started planting, I looked to the people around me to inform how I should behave, including what I should pack in my block bag. While this is a normal part of being new at something, eventually, I learned it was more important to bring what made me feel comfortable versus what others were bringing. Happy packing!

Ps. The chances are high that your block bag essentials look different than mine; if you feel inclined to share, consider submitting your own block bag essentials piece about it! It could be cool to get a series going.