There are camping purists out there who will only bring what I denoted with an asterisk (*) and a Swiss Army knife. These are folks who live off energy bars, cans of soup and plain ol’ water from a running spring. And you know what, good for them! But for me (and I’m assuming, you, too, since you’re still with me!), want a few more creature comforts than that! There’s plenty more to put on the list, of course; just ask L.L. Bean! But for primitive camping, I feel this list is more than satisfactory for the party-going Pagan! Also, keep in mind many festivals do not let you drive in with a giant honkin' RV motorcoach - they just don't have the space! However, many of them allow a van or small RV, if your reservation is made way ahead of time, though hook-ups are rare. So, be prepared to be "going dry".
Some items listed, such as fishing and hunting gear, is obviously not intended for festival-going, unless you count these items as hunting for ummm... different types of game! ;) They are meant for coven retreats, field trips and family vacations, or however you see fit. Also, if you are going in a group, not everyone is going to need to bring their own can opener, for example; disregard that if your group is very territorial about their kitchen utensils!
I again cannot stress the importance of packing only what you really need to take with you! I have made certain items bold to see what’s really the first to pack, since they’re the largest. Some items, like the generic term “food” I listed as bold, because I consider “food” to be one big item, rather than a bunch of individual grocery items. Therefore, items that are marked with an asterisk (*) and is in bold are really what you need to try to pack first, and work everything else around them! Also, remember you do not need to bring LOTS of food. My husband prefers to do the bulk of the shopping after setting camp, to get a break and cruise around the nearby town. Me, I like to be prepared. But, if space is an issue, you can leave the box of Frosted Flakes behind and pick up one in town (LOL!) (Of course, there's some festivals which have a policy of "once you're in, you're in" for the duration of the fest. In those cases, may I suggest buying that stuff up right before you get to the gates, holding your groceries on your lap.)
Since we're on the subject of "food", let's talk about the stuff you use to make food with for a second! You'll notice on the checklist I mentioned a picnic basket. Similar to the one pictured (but with a much nicer color scheme! haha) is something we have, and it's great for use all summer long! I picked it up at a TJ Maxx for about $25, which came with service for four and is insulated to keep your food fresh. I went and replaced the plasticware for actual silverware I pieced together at a thrift store, since it's a lot thinner to have space, it looks nicer and it's much easier to clean! That, and I went and ditched the cheap-looking dishes as well, and added a set of bowls to eat from. What we use this for when camping is to stuff the bulk of our utensils in there, especially knives and the can opener, because it keeps everything in one spot, and it just plain looks nice! I am able to get the following in there:
four plates, four bowls, 16 pieces of silverware plus four steak knives, four tublers, a coffee pot, a can opener, four coffee mugs, two service spoons (one slotted for straining), a ladel, a spatula and a cutting board. Most of these items came from thrift stores and dollar stores, so it wasn't all that expensive. The main reason why I like the picnic basket idea, which I got the idea from a former Covenmate, is because it has snap latches to keep the dishes and glasses from shifting around. Even if they're not fine china, plates and glasses chip!
Once you have figured out what items must go with you, try packing it in your car, keeping in mind how many seats will be holding people. Doesn’t fit? Then something has to go; either your stuff or your car! Trailers and top cargo holders can help, but be sure your car can handle the weight. Remember to figure this out at least a week before you actually leave, because you don’t want all your stuff sitting on the curb while you scratch your head! If you truly need more space, either pool together and rent a larger car, or try swapping with someone while you are away. If you swap, be sure you and partner’s insurance are okay with this. In the unlikely event an accident occurs, you don’t want to be stuck worrying about the damages, as well as any tickets you receive for improper proof of insurance.
Another thing to bare in mind is how much space will be available to you at your destination. If it’s a KOA-style campground, go as far as your imagination can take you! However, if you’ll be at a large festival, this just isn’t going to happen! Even if you’re the first arrival, you won’t be well met with the others if you take up a football field for yourself. There will be others who (usually) will ask if they can set camp near you; go with it and make some new friends! If you’re the lavish camper like I am, offer some of your community space, such as your kitchen set-up, to the light packers. Share a meal, loan a stake, help them set up; nothing strikes up conversation more than helping out!
If you plan on practicing Ritual while you’re there, consider what’s kosher and what’s not. Is it cool to have a fire pit? Will your neighbors have a problem with heavy herbal smoke, such as from smudge sticks? Are you going to a KOA-style campground where you might get strange or dirty looks from other campers? If so, why not do something low-key? The Gods won’t be offended if you don’t have a big to-do over Them; They certainly will understand! ;) A simple altar, decorated only with a plain cloth, a bit of food, a tiny lit candle and a single incense stick is just as impressive.
Since Ron and I do a great deal of weekend (and longer!) getaways, due to the
record label stuff, we keep a small cooler in our car so we don't have to blow a rediculous amount of money and stopping all the time for drinks. What we have (pictured) is an Igloo Ice Cube. It can hold up to 14 cans, and it has a little compartment on top for our Treo and stuff, and it fits in-between/behind the front seats of our car, making it easy to reach back and grab a drink or a snack. Sweet! It's an excellent idea for anyone who travels, especially campers, because really, do you want to be stopping at a rest stop, digging in your car, just to get that last soda? It's also very practical for keeping certain items separate from the rest of your food. On top of that, that little slot on top - Ron says it's perfect for keeping his Snicker bars and Reese's cups from melting, but not so cold as it turns it into a frozen block that can't be eaten! Haha! Hey, nothing wrong with a hidden bonus!
I also have a ready-to-go bathroom kit (also pictured) from Tru I found at a Target that has EVERYTHING one could possibly need in there! I love it! I even included a mini blow dryer haha! (A girl has to look her best, right?) It's a square make-up tackle box that looks like a band's road case (so you macho men out there don't have to worry about looking girlie LOL), with accordian-style, fold-out compartments - how cool is THAT?! I mention this here, because it's a really good idea for every camper to have a bathroom case of some form. Take a look again at my checklist to get an idea of what you should be bringing. Actually, take a look in your bathroom and buy up travel size versions of the products you usually use! Nowadays, you can get the travel/sample size version of just about anything. And yes, you can "steal" the soap and baby shampoo bottles from the hotels you stayed at - you did pay for them, after all!
An item Ron and I have acquired (pictured) and have fallen in love with is the super-sturdy, fold-out, grated grill, which we paid $20. It's really cool, because it takes up so little room in the car, it flips right over whatever fire you started on the ground, and, you can flip it on its side to keep shooting embers away while you let the flames lick your face. People have commented to us it resembles a cozy fireplace! What's actually funny is when we bring this out at music fests, where most attendees aren't big into camping, we always get this look like we invented fire or something! Haha! I actually want to buy a few more to make a perfect enclosure for an instant campfire anywhere (where permissible), without having to scrounge for rocks and such. Then again, I might just go splurging again and buy a collapsable, portable, outdoor fireplace I've been eyeing at Target for about $100 and give the grill to a needy camper. (Can ya tell I'm a camping shopaholic?) I will add though, you need to have a bag of some sort to keep your grill in. Otherwise, soot will get all over your car. And no, I don't clean my grill. I follow Al Bundy's advice:
"Last year's ashes make this year's burgers!"
Another item I got to use at Paganstock was a ceiling fan for the tent! No kidding! It has a small LED light on it as well, which ends up being a nice 2-in-1, and it hooks up to the hook on top of most newer dome-style tents :) So many times I had complained about sleeping in a stuffy tent, and now I have a little relief! It's a Coleman product for about $15, and I think it's worth every penny, though it does make a bit of a whizzing, humming noise from the fan. Ahhh... it hums like the beating of a faerie's wings haha!
Now if you think I'm being a bit of a prissy-pants with my gadgets, let me tell ya something:
True primitive camping is not alien to me. I can make due with a tarp and bed sheet just fine, but I choose not to. I fail to see why I need to be miserable and uncomfortable for an entire week, when I'm away from the city and my crappy day job, when I really don't have to be. And that little ceiling fan - I repeat - it's worth every penny! :)
One final idea I got from Wolf's Pagan World site that I just might be snagging is how he pitches a second, 2/3-man dome tent to keep some of his stuff in, so he's not hogging up his sleeping space with a bunch of crap. Damn fine idea, my man! I have such a tent, on top of my regular tent, so I just might be doing that in the future. He was talking about how it also doubles as an additional shelter if a storm comes and the main tent gets all soggy and ya just want a dry place to sleep. Not. A. Bad. Idea. !!!!
One is the new remote-controlled tent light I picked up at Sears. How cool is it that I have this little remote attached to my keychain that I can wander around in the dark, go "click-click-click" in the approximate direction and find my tent! Awesome! Well worth the $12!!! There's also for $30 a remote-controlled lantern you can pick up for much more light! WE BOUGHT THE LANTERN! - AWESOME PRODUCT!
A nice little box that I now feel I will never want to do without is specifically for the shower stalls. It holds ALL of your toiletries inside, including your towel, and opens up so you have something to stand on! It goes for $20, but I'm sure some nifty Pagan crafter can make one just as good, or better :) I think it's important, because:
1) you make sure you grab everything with you the first time (no, "Shit! I forgot my soap box!" as you're standing in the shower with dripping-wet hair)
2) your feet won't have to touch that sometimes absolutely gross floor
3) for sanitary purposes, you won't have to worry about getting athlete's foot.
I also want to get those pre-made camp kitchens, that actually have counters safe for hot pans as well as for chopping meat and veggies, wire racks for hanging stuff up (papertowel dispenser anyone - that WON'T blow away?) and an under-the-counter section to hold all of my kitchen gear. I would also want one that had an attachment for a 2-basin sink. I've yet to find one that is sturdy, compact and reliable (It's never all three! Grrrr!) So far, nothing has piqued my interest, so I may have to build it myself!
NEW! BOUGHT ONE at Dick's Sporting Goods for $79.95! Take a look! It was my Mom's Day gift!! I can't wait to have it set up outdoors this year!
Another WISH LIST item is a tent that I want REALLY BAD, but I promised I wouldn't buy it until after our nice (but paltry in comparison) tent dies in a couple years! It's called the Hillary 3-Room Grand Safari Party Tent! Doesn't that just SCREAM Covenstead!!! This is a 21 x 18 three-room tent, which easily sleeps 10 people and has a center height of 7-1/2 ft. (I refuse to deal with domes - I needs to be able to walk inside!)
It has a stand up room all the way to the eaves, with 7 extra-large windows and mesh roof for ventilation! All windows have fully zippered closures to keep the weather out and the fun inside! Imagine getting up in the morning for cereal WITHOUT getting dressed! The center pole fits nicely in a round patio table for party use. The pole itself comes with 3 hangers for battery operated lights or plants or flowers!!! There's 3 large doors and 7 extra large windows 3 doors for individual access to all 3 rooms!!!
It's currently going for $300, but I personally think any coven would be more than happy to pitch in together to get this! You would no longer have to have a separate kitchen area, (except for the charcoal grill, of course), so it would actually conserve room and make your Covenstead the envy of the Festival!!!
On a side note, one of my dreams for going all-out would be to have that tent for just us three (Ryan needs his own space), with the Aero beds that inflate to actual bed height, with an inflatable couch!!! That, and creating our own shower stall on the side, since I'm sorta prudish LOL! If you check out a Dick's Sporting Goods in your area, they have every creature comfort you could ever want! I was wandering around the Niles store and came across a camping margarita mixer with glasses, a percolator and an oven! Can you imagine mixing up some tropical drinks, complete with the little umbrellas, baking muffins and making coffee with a drip perculator... all while still being "primitive"??? Yeah, yeah, yeah - I hear some of your SCOFFING at the mere notion, but being the Urban Pagan I am, these are things I WILL AMASS within the next few years LOL!
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