Pre-Arrival Information

Packing List

Here are our strongly-recommended items to bring. Keep in mind that the site is located in an extremely remote area, and picking up additional items upon arrival will be difficult.

Work Clothes:

Laundry is available on-site, so we recommend bringing enough to go a full work week, leaving time for laundry on weekends.

• 5 pair work jeans
  sturdy denim; should allow for full mobility and contain sturdy belt loops & pockets

• 5 pair work undershirts
  athletic, moisture-wicking material and/or cotton recommended

• 5 pair long-sleeved button-down over-shirts
  light-colored, loose-fitting cotton recommended

• 5 pair socks
  try these on with your work boots and wear for 1 day or so to ensure they are a proper fit; thick athletic socks may be best to prevent wear

• Sturdy belt

• Undergarments
  athletic moisture-wicking and/or cotton recommended

• Sturdy jacket
  should keep you warm in winter weather, around 32 degrees Fahrenheit

• Raincoat (if separate from jacket)

• Leather work boots
  *Rattlesnakes are native to the area. The best recommended practice is to wear leather boots that reach above the ankles, with denim jeans layered over them, giving your ankles and lower legs two layers of sturdy protection.

Personal Work Equipment:

• Water bottle
  we recommend using a bottle with a screw-top lid to protect the drinking lip from dust, etc.

• Cell phone holster
  belt attachment recommended. Even if your phone fits inside your pockets, farm vehicles can be bumpy rides, and there is limited cell service to call and identify a missing phone after the fact. It’s best not to risk it.

• Sunglasses
  should fit snugly and provide eye protection, not just from UV rays but also from airborne dust. Also recommended: sunglass strap to secure around the neck.

• Baseball or wide-brimmed hat
  beware of high winds that may knock a baseball cap off

• Bandanna or gaiter
  should be able to affix around the nose/mouth to protect from dust and pollen inhalation

• Leather work gloves

• Standard multi-tool
  includes at least: pliers, knife blades, screwdrivers, wire cutters, bottle opener

• Small backpack or bag for field work
  ideally bright in color for easy identification

Toiletries:

The bathhouse is a communal area; small collections of toiletries may stay inside, the rest should be kept in your housing.

• Sunscreen - SPF 50 or above
  we are located in the High Great Plains, which has an altitude of about 3,000ft. There are few sources of shade, and the sun is more intense than at lower altitudes

• Bug spray
  mosquitos can be plentiful during the warm months

• Shampoo / conditioner

• Toothbrush / toothpaste

• Body wash / deodorant / moisturizer / cleanser / etc.

First Aid:

We have stocked first-aid kits on site, but for personal ease, it may be best to bring your own set of more commonly-used items:

• Neosporin

• Band-aids (variety of sizes)

• COVID materials such as hand sanitizer and face masks, either reusable, surgical, or both

• Nasal allergy spray such as Flonase*

• Nasal rinse with saline packets*
  *If you are at all susceptible to seasonal allergies, including pollen, dust, ragweed, etc., these items are recommended. High winds carry dust and particles from all over the area, and as we are focused on re-wilding, we do not use methods of weed control on the property.

Off-Hours Materials (Optional):

• Pajamas

• Earplugs / eye mask for sleep
  in high winds, the yurts may creak which can be disruptive. Each yurt also has a skylight, making it bright in the mornings.

• Clothes for various weather: shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.

• Sweatpants or other non-denim pants

• Sandals and/or sneakers
  *A small, prickly invasive weed produces barbs known as Goatheads, or alternatively, the Terror of the Plains. Although we do our best to keep these off of the ground around the yurt site, we strongly recommend additional foot protection anyway. Flip-flops with hard plastic soles will fair better than those made of foam.

• Guitar / books / recreation materials as desired
  Wi-Fi is not a constant on the site. For off-hours entertainment, we recommend activities that do not rely on internet service.

• Journal / camera

The Location:

Provenance Co. is located in Wallace County, Kansas. We rest on the Colorado border, at an elevation of around 3,000 feet.

The area is dry, which makes for warm days and cool nights. Weather is highly variable, and storms and temperature changes can arise quickly without much warning.

As the area becomes more arid, desert plants such as yucca and prickly pear cactus take over pastures. Lines of cedar trees are often planted to create wind barriers, both around homesteads and crop fields to prevent dust storms.

The Home Site:

Yurts are outfitted with individual AC/heating units.