Hey, I'm going to the Chicago Forum starting June 24th. I was just wondering, other than clothes, what else do we need to bring? Notebook, alarm clock, towels??

Thanks SO much!
~Amy~

You probably will want to bring a small spiral notebook. Yes, you need some type of alarm whether it be an actual clock or a cell phone alarm, although your room won't have a clock in it, so you'll probably want one. NYLF provides you with bedding (sheets, 1 pillow, blanket), and a set of towels. If you have room you may want to bring a set of towels. You'll also want a camera, and an umbrella. Bandaids are crucial, and so is any medicine if you need it.

I feel like I'm forgetting several things, so I'm sure I'll be back with more suggestions

Hangers would also be helpful

Thanks! Should I bring a backpack? Or just a big purse for girls...I'm not really sure how much stuff we need to carry around...Also, how much casual clothing did you bring?

It depends on what you're most comfortable with. If you're fine carrying a big purse for a day, go for it. I personally was more comfortable with a backpack, not because it's a lot of stuff, but because you do a lot of walking.
Bring a casual outfit for everyday. You'll be casual at night for socials. You'll also be casual for most of the day on the weekend

what would we need an umbrella for?

And you mentioned hangers, are we going to be provided with closets?

And following up on the casual, how much "relaxed-professional" should we bring?

Umbrellas: Sometimes it rains. Although you'll spend most of your time indoors, you will need to walk outdoors to get to various buildings. I know when I went, it seemed to rain for a little while every day, and it wasn't drizzling either; those were monsoon-like downpours. A windbreaker/rain jacket type thing might not be such a bad idea either

Most dorm rooms will have some sort of closet type thing, be it a built in closet or a standalone wardrobe. And the hotels usually have a closet as well

I believe they tell you to bring 2-3 relaxed professional outfits

does it matter how many suitcases we bring if we are driving there and have our parents to help us?

If you're driving you can bring whatever you want. It's only people flying that need to worry about being able to manage their luggage on their own

i drove when i went last year and i brought two suitcases, people that are flying are really the only ones that have to worry about how much they bring. on the paper it says to bring 2-3 relaxed professional outfits, bring more then that. relaxed professional is what you mostly wear so bring more like 5-8 of them. bringing things that could go for both relaxed and professional saves space and pants and skirts can be worn more then once so you dont have to pack as much. little things to remember that come in handy are band aids. this goes for both guys and girls. dress shoes are uncomfortable and there is a lot of walking. an umbrella is also a smart thing to bring, it always seems to rain at times when you want in the least. bring tylenol. long days often end in headaches and many people get overtired and a lot of people ended up getting sick because of living in close quarters and the nonstop activities.

Kelly, I can't help but wonder if you had one of those "exceptions", because most people I knew, as well as myself only wore 2 or 3 relaxed professional outfits. Professional, on the other hand we wore probably 6 times during the week