Step 1: The Bare Essentials
A tent
Make sure it comes with a groundsheet and topsheet to keep you dry, and do a test run putting it up before you go – check all the pieces are present and intact or you could find yourself with a collapsed, leaking tent once you get there.
A sleeping bag
It can get cold at night, so keep yourself cosy. A compressible two-season bag should suffice, and you can sleep on top of it as extra padding if you get too hot.
Sun protection
Take high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or headscarf to cover your head. You’ll be outdoors from dawn till dusk, so slap it on even if you’re planning on tanning. A weekend with sunstroke is a waste of a ticket.
A small shoulder bag for your valuables
You can’t lock a tent, so take as few valuables as possible. You may need your wallet, mobile phone, camera and house keys, but keep them on you at all times, in a shoulder bag that zips and fastens securely. You can also use it to carry other small items to save you having to trek back and forth to your tent all day. For information on protecting your possessions, watch VideoJug’s “How to Keep Stuff Safe at a Festival”.
A credit card and cash
A credit or cash card is essential in case of emergency, should you end up robbed or stranded. Most festivals have cash machines on site or nearby, but never assume this will be the case. Take enough money to last the weekend and you’ll avoid the queues too.
Toilet roll
Toilet roll is seen as fair game at festivals so guard it with your life or it’ll disappear the moment your back is turned! Carry some on you or in your bag at all times – your bum will love you!
Wet wipes
Toilets may not come with soap, but a supply of wet wipes means you can keep your hands germ-free, wipe toilet seats and freshen up your sweaty pits every now and again.
A small torch
Essential for navigating the campsite, the toilets and even your own tent at night.
Prescription Medication
Hayfever tablets, asthma inhalers, contraceptive pills… If you need it normally, don’t go without it.
Condoms
Romance can strike even amongst smelly campers – so come prepared.
Take that lot, and you’ll be equipped with all the basics you need for no-frills festival camping.
Step 2: The Creature Comforts
If you can fit these in they’ll make festival life a lot nicer…
A small towel
Even if you don’t plan to shower, a lightweight towel is good for drying your face and mopping up floods or spills.
A camping mat or lilo
A cheap foam mat or inflatable lilo will help you sleep better on hard ground (and provide a barrier between you and a leaking tent).
Something to use as a pillow
Take something for your weary head unless you fancy a crick in the neck. If you can fit in a full-size pillow, great. If not, mini travel pillows are widely available or, to save space, roll up a towel, or stuff a pillow case with clothes.
Earplugs
Most people don’t go to festivals to sleep, but if you want to block out late-night singing or the amorous couple in the next tent, take a pair of these.
Bin liners
A camper’s best friend. Use them to keep stuff dry, to sit on, to tidy up after yourself or to make a festival rain poncho!
A small plastic bottle
Whatever the weather, you should avoid dehydration, especially when drinking alcohol. Carry a water bottle on you and save money by refilling it for free from the taps on site.
Basic toiletries
If you want to make any friends at all (or keep the ones you already have), take a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. Chewing gum is also good for minging morning breath.
Mini medical kit
Pack painkillers, anti-diarrheal tablets, plasters and a small tube of antiseptic cream for camping cuts and scrapes. Never be tempted to take more than the stated dosage, even if your hangover disagrees.
Step 3: Your Festival Pass
Last but not least – don’t forget your ticket!
with the permission of Videojug
Vocabulary
cosy – kényelmes, kellemes, barátságos
trek back – visszatér
wet wipes – nedves törlőkendő
germ-free – baktérium mentes
hayfever – szénanátha, szénaláz
contraceptive – fogamzásgátló
