10 Camping Rucksack Essentials

Pack these essentials alongside your tent and sleeping bag in
your newly-bought rucksack and your family will be happy
campers!

 
[Thoughtful packing will help you carry on camping. Photo by
coconinoco.]

1. A flag

This might seem like a slightly unusual thing to pack but there is a good
reason to include one in your rucksack’s contents. Attaching a flag to
the top of your tent will distinguish your tent from others of an identical
colour and design and help you navigate your way back to it at night.
Hopefully the flag you fly will have a different design to ones used by
other campers!

2. Swiss army knife

The Swiss army knife would probably be little use to Swiss soldiers
in a real battle but it has proved invaluable to seasoned campers. The
collection of steel implements inside a Swiss knife handle will help you
remove splinters, cut cloths into bandages and – most importantly of all
– prise open a can of beans for a cosy campfire meal.

3. Matches

Of course, in order to enjoy a campfire meal you will first need fire. If
you’re really forward-thinking you can drip candlewax on your match
tips before you set off on a camping trip – this will help you waterproof
them. Alternatively, you can invest in some wind-proof and water-proof
matches; available now from all reputable camping shops.

4. Camping snacks

While Mum or Dad is hammering in the tent pegs and poles, the kids will
often require a snack to keep hunger at bay. Dried fruit cereal bars are
excellent choices to pack in camping rucksacks as they won’t melt and
offer a quick shot of energy for young (and old) campers.

5. A pillow

Roll-up camping pillows just seem too flat and small to offer your head
proper support when you retire to your tent after a hard day’s camping.
Being on a campsite shouldn’t mean that you have to forsake all luxuries
– strap a pillow to your rucksack and you can take at least one home
comfort with you.

6. Wellington Boots

Wellington boots were once unfashionable things which were only worn
by members of the Royal Family and the cast of Emmerdale Farm.
However, events such as Glastonbury have made wellies fashionable
once more and these boots don’t just look good – they are ideal for
keeping the rain and campsite mud off socks and trousers.

7. Head Lamp

A head lamp provides a valuable hands-free source of light for campers
who need to get up in the middle of the night to adjust their tent or
answer a call of nature. Head lamps are also useful for fancy dress

parties – smear a little boot polish on your kids’ faces and they can
pretend they’re a British coal miner from the 1980s.

8. Waterproof clothing

The first rule of campsite should be: bring one more layer of clothing
than you think you will need. While summer campsites can be sweltering
during the day, temperatures can quickly plummet at night. Whatever
the time of year, you will always see a lot of clothing bearing the North
Face brand logo at websites. While North Face’s clothing range might
be frustratingly expensive and annoyingly ubiquitous they do offer the
camper a good chance of remaining wind-proof and water-proof.

9. A large, wide-necked bottle

If the campsite toilets are a long trek away and you are caught short
during the night it is always reassuring to have a wide-necked bottle
close at hand. I find that fabric conditioner bottles often have a wide
neck and are large enough to stop over-flow accidents from occurring.

10. Sun cream

Don’t be tempted to pack the left-over sun cream from last year’s
camping; sun cream starts to lose its effectiveness the older it gets so
pack a new tube. After all, you don’t want any red faces when you unzip
your family tent early in the morning and prepare for a day of campsite
fun!

James Christie writes for travel service company FHR. Visit
http://www.fhr-net.co.uk/ to find a great deal for your
holiday essentials.