Essential checklist for going camping

Are you going camping? Worried you might forget something? Follow this checklist and these tips to ensure you have a peaceful trip and don't end up sleeping under the stars!

First and foremost, here are a few practical tips for your equipment

If you've never been camping before, you'll need to invest in some equipment

But don't worry, you don't have to break the bank!

You can find tents in shops for less than 30€ for 1 or 2 people and less than 100€ for 4 people. Compare prices in sports shops, supermarkets and discount stores (Noz, Action, etc.), as there are sometimes very attractive offers! But if you plan to go camping often, it's worth investing a little more. In this case, expect to pay between 100€ and 200€ for a 2-person tent and between 150€ and 300€ for a 4-person tent. Also, keep in mind that some shops (such as Decathlon) rent camping equipment if you don't want to invest. And of course, you can always borrow some from people you know! You're bound to have friends who have been camping once in their lives and have all the equipment in their basement that they never use!

Next, you will need at least one mattress and one sleeping bag per person! For inflatable mattresses (avoid foam ones, nobody buys them anymore, they are really uncomfortable), you can find them everywhere for less than 15€! As for sleeping bags, it is worth investing a little more to get a warm one, you won't regret it! (There's nothing worse than spending a sleepless night because you were cold all night!) You'll find them for between 10€ and 100€, but you can find something good for around 30€! And pay attention to the temperature written on it! If it says 20°C, that's not the guaranteed temperature inside, it's the minimum outside temperature you need to be comfortable and not feel cold! So if you understand, that means you should look for the lowest temperature written on it! If it says 5°C or even 0°C, it's a very good sleeping bag that will keep you warm!

Here is a checklist for camping:

• 1 tent (don't forget tent pegs, ropes and a hammer)

• 1 sleeping bag (per person)

• 1 mattress (per person, even if there are two of you)

• 1 pump (for the mattress)

• Washable plastic tableware (plates, cutlery, glasses)

• 1 saucepan

• 1 frying pan

• 2 dishes (such as a salad bowl and a dish for grilled food)

• Aluminium foil

• Multifunction knife

• 1 lighter

• Citronella candles

• 1 small camping lamp

• For washing up: 1 basin, 1 sponge, washing-up liquid, 1 or 2 tea towels)

• Toilet paper

• 1 rope and clothes pegs

• 1 extension cord and 1 power strip

• Bin bags

• Disinfectant wipes

• Soap

• Hammock

• 1 or 2 extra batteries to charge your mobile phone in case

• If you are not flying: 1 stove, 1 small gas bottle, 1 small folding table with folding chairs, charcoal for the BBQ and food for the duration of your stay (you can also shop locally), don't forget marshmallows and BBQ skewers! Essential!

• And of course, your bag with your clothes, toiletries, first aid kit, sewing kit, and handbag with essentials!

If you require a more comprehensive list : Check out the packing list for a week in the sun