There’s nothing quite like camping to free your mind and indulge in a bit of relaxation. Even with the modern advances of camping, it’s still a retreat from the rat race and a great chance to become one with nature. That being said, once you’re on the road there is no going back so you’ll want to make sure you have packed absolutely everything you will need.
Packing for camping is a lot like camping for any trip, it should be thoroughly thought out before a single item is placed in a case or bag. So, keep these packing tips in mind ahead of your big camping expedition. You might even want to consider a roof box so that everything fits with ease and you don’t need to worry about packing the boot like a jigsaw puzzle.
- Make A List
How long is your camping trip going to be? You’ll want to be ruthless about what makes it in the car. So, make a list of everything you will need and start your packing a fortnight before you set off. This gives you plenty of time to adjust the list as required, and avoids any last-minute scrambles are you realise you’ve forgotten key items. The most commonly forgotten items include rubbish bags, matches/lighter, toilet roll, tooth brush, sunglasses/glasses, corkscrew/bottle opener/tin opener, locks for bike racks, and mobile phone car chargers. - Mini Hygiene Bottles
Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you don’t want to enjoy soap and shampoo. You don’t need to take giant bottles, nor do you need to splash the cash to buy the travel size bottles. Instead, visit your local discount shop and buy the empty mini bottles. You can grab them for under £5 and use them again and again. Just fill them with your desired products and label them so you know which one is which. - Plan For All Weathers
You may have chosen a particular time of year for your camping trip believing that you will beat the rain. This is Britain, you must always expect rain, even if it’s 24° and you have sunburn. Obviously, an umbrella would be the easy option. Don’t forget waterproof socks, though, as wet feet can result in trench foot and that’s not something you want to be dealing with on your relaxing trip. You can also line your shoes with a binbag, or secure a bag over your socks. - Packing Method
This may sound obvious, but if you have electronics you’ll want to pack them far away from food, drink, and anything else that can spill. In fact, your best bet is to keep them in sealed containers or bags to keep them extra safe. You’re entering the wild, so you want your food in sealed containers anyway, if you have jars, etc. don’t forget extra sandwich bags to deal with leftovers. You don’t want to attract the wildlife. Also, don’t forget to pack a good-quality sleeping bag, which is a must for camping. - Meal Preparations
No one is expecting Nigella Lawson levels of cooking while you’re camping, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fun. The biggest tip here would be to make your life as easy as possible, especially if you have kids. There’s nothing wrong with roasting hot dogs over the fire or eating beans from a tin. Think about ready-made muffins for breakfast and other ways to keep it simple. If you plan to do some cooking try to do all the big prep before you head out, it will allow you to be far more efficient once you’re on site. Don’t forget the s’mores ingredients! - Don’t Overpack Your Clothes
There is just one item of clothing you can’t have enough of when you’re camping: socks. Pack extra socks, but don’t worry about wearing the same denims for a few days. Isn’t the entire point of camping to get back to nature and get your hands a bit dirty? Embrace the outdoors and save space while you’re at it! - Baby Wipes
You don’t need a baby to pack baby wipes, they’re the ultimate in handy items. You can use them to freshen up, and for giving your tent a wipe. - Packing The Car
Food might operate on a first in, first out basis, but when it comes to camping your most important items should be packed last. Madness, right? It just means that when you arrive at the campsite the most important items (like your tent) will be easily accessible. You might want to keep snacks up front so you can keep the kids entertained if you have a bit of a drive.
Final Words
Planning and packing for a trip can be hectic but not when done properly making sure of all the essentials. Visit Halfords.com for the latest vouchers and discounts on your camping gear. Your budget shouldn’t prevent you from having a great time, and you’ll need to consider tents, sleeping bags, air beds, and more. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a necessity when there are great vouchers available to reduce your costs!
