WHAT TO TAKE WHEN CAMPING

What should I take with me when camping?

Most campers approach the question of what to take when camping from the point of view that there is a universal list of things you can take.

You tick off what you want and you will have a smooth camping experience. That is a cumbersome process and many campers give up when they see a 6-page print-out with blocks to tick.

The problem with lists is that they try to cater for all camping needs. There is a difference between camping off-grid and camping where there are modern amenities. They can’t have the same checklist.

There is no universal list, it depends on how you camp. So, we suggest a new approach.

You may need clothing that is appropriate to what your activities will be. We take clothing that washes easily and dry quickly and is more informal than when we would work in an office.

Extras we take when camping

My wife plays the piano and finds joy in the process of practising classical pieces, so we take her electronic piano whenever we camp. She plays with earphones, so that goes with the piano and music books in the back of the car.

I work online, so I take my laptop, mobile phone and a dongle for Internet connection should there be no wi-fi I can use.

I also like to take short swims a few times a day, but I dislike wet clothes drying on my body, so I have three pairs of swimming trunks. When I get back to the caravan, the wet one goes on the washing line and I put on a dry one.

In that way, I mostly wear only three swimming trunks and save a lot on laundry costs.

If you like making lists

If you prefer a list, start with listing what your activities will be, then list what you need for every camping activity.

That will leave you with a list of what you must take with you.

When returning from your camp, note what you did not use and explain to yourself why you will need it at your future camps – or leave it at home.

Also, read A camping guide for new campers