subject: Make A Checklist Before Going Camping [print this page] If you're off on a camping holiday with your family or friends, it can seem like there's a lot of gear to pack. It can sometimes be difficult to remember everything that you need for an enjoyable and comfortable trip.
Most campers are familiar with that sinking feeling you get after driving hours to your chosen campsite, only to discover you've left a vital bit of kit lying on the kitchen table. Buying camping equipment on-site can be expensive, and you may be miles from the nearest store, so you might have to do without whatever you've forgotten for the duration of your trip.
To prevent this scenario happening, it's a good idea to make a camping checklist before packing for your holiday. That way you can easily tick off what you've packed, and won't need to unpack everything to check whether you've remembered that all-important corkscrew or waterproof jacket.
Here is a handy list you can use to help you pack all the right camping essentials before heading off on your trip:
Tent, including groundsheet and tent pegs
Airbeds / campbeds / camping mats
Pillows and sleeping bags
Torches and lanterns
Folding chairs and table
Gas stove / BBQ and fuel
Cooking and dining equipment
Food, drink and coolbox
Warm clothes and waterproofs
Boots and wellies
Suncream if it's going to be hot
Towels & bathroom toiletries
Map or sat nav for the journey
Obviously there may be other things that you'd like to pack, but this list should be a good starting point and you can add to it as you go along.
As you get more and more into camping, you may find that you want to buy additional pieces of kit, or perhaps upgrade your tent and camping equipment to a higher quality brand. If this is the case, there are plenty of camping websites doing good deals at the moment, so buying new equipment doesn't have to break the bank.
You should also take into consideration how much room you have in the car. If you find that you have too much kit to fit comfortably into the boot, you may want to consider investing in a roof rack and roof box to create some additional space - that way you won't have to sacrifice any luggage. The best retailers will fit these onto your car for you to save you the hassle, so you can get on with enjoying your holiday.
