5 practical tips for your camping checklist

15 August, 2019

Many campers use a checklist when packing their holiday bags. It’s a clever thing to do, because that way you can be sure you’re not forgetting anything. If your checklist is complete, that is! You will have remembered to write down the sleeping bag, torch, clothesline and pegs, but did you think about these five items as well? Not the first things to come to mind, perhaps, but very practical to have with you!

1. Tick free camping

Ticks are on the rise, and their big brothers, giant ticks, are being spotted more frequently. There is no reason to panic, but it is a good idea to prepare for a possible confrontation with this creature. Always bring a pair of tick removal tweezers with you on holiday, whether holidaying at home or abroad. Because ticks also thrive in southern European holiday countries such as France, Spain and Italy.

Ticks are very fond of forests and areas with long grass, and this is precisely the environment that you will find around many campsites. For a walk or cycle through or along the grass, shorts and slippers are very tempting, but it’s wiser to opt for long trousers and closed shoes. If you want to sit in the grass, for example for a picnic, then use a picnic blanket with a plastic bottom, stopping ticks from crawling through. If you still get bitten by a tick, then your tick tweezers will come in handy. They will remove a tick safely and completely!

2. Staying dry

Many people bring sunscreen, swimwear and sunglasses with them for the summer holidays, but of course there is never a guarantee of dry weather. Every summer has a few tropical showers, and wherever you go, it is bound to happen there and not at the place you decided not to visit! It’s good to be prepared, so you don’t get soaked. That’s why bringing rainwear or some ponchos with you is always a good idea.

If you aren’t expecting a lot of rain on your holiday, make sure your rain gear doesn’t take up too much weight. Bring a few packs of disposable plastic ponchos, or choose a lightweight, reusable raincoat. In conclusion: put some rainwear in your bag before you leave so you’re prepared for anything!

3. Charging the battery

Can you live without your smartphone? Some people might be able to, but more and more people find themselves using their phone while on their camping holiday. Now I wouldn’t advise you stare at your screen the whole holiday, but in some cases your phone can be quite useful. It allows you to easily look up some extra information about tourist attractions, nice restaurants, or campsites nearby. And in an emergency it can even be life-saving to have a mobile phone at hand!

Of course, you can’t use your phone if the battery isn’t charged. On the campsite, but also when you go out for a long walk or bike ride, a power bank will come in handy. You charge the power bank in advance (for example at home) and as soon as you connect your phone to it, the phone will charge.

4. Silver-grey miracle

The answer to many camping problems is duct tape. This silver-grey miracle is very useful on the campsite. Do you have a leak in your tent, is your backpack broken, or is there a small hole in your air mattress? No problem: take a piece of duct tape and you can fix it in no time. You can even use duct tape to reinforce parts of your tent or awning.

Of course, duct tape is not a permanent solution, but it is very useful to get through your holiday. And fortunately one or two rolls of duct tape don’t take up much space, so it’s highly recommended to take some with you. If you want to be prepared for anything, you can even put a roll in your backpack in case something happens during a walk or bike ride.

5. For your four-legged friend

Camping with a pet is still popular and dogs especially make excellent holiday buddies. For that reason, dogs are more than welcome at many European campsites. But what should you bring along for your travel companion? Dog food, a basket, belt and food bowls are probably already on your checklist, but aren’t you forgetting a passport?

I can hear you think: do dogs have passports? Yes, every dog should have a pet passport, issued by their vet. But a lot of people forget to pack it. In the passport you will find everything about the dog and its health, and you must be able to show the passport if requested to do so. So bring it with you! Another tip for dog owners: well before you go on holiday, check if certain vaccinations are necessary for the country you are going to visit. Your vet will know this. Also check if there are any special rules for your pet in the country you are visiting.

More practical tips

I’d love to hear if you have your own additions to the camping checklist. Which camping equipment do many people forget to put on their lists, even though it can be very useful during a holiday? Let me, and all your fellow campers, know in a comment under this article.