Whether glamping in a well-stocked RV, or car camping from a tent and sleeping bag, a few supplies are considered must-have staples to enjoying the campground or music festival experience. But what is needed to elevate the outing beyond what you can find at Mr. B’s Festival Needs? Below is a shortlist of RoadtripMojo’s suggested accessories.
A Solar Panel. Keep your tech charged and ready. Panels come in a variety of sizes, from calculator-sized modules to charge a cell phone, to larger, flexible panels that can be rolled up for storage. More elaborate set ups utilize briefcase-type folding panels and a large battery unit capable of running many smaller electronics. At a minimum, we’ve found it helpful to have a small solar module attached to a backpack to keep our phones and cameras charged during the day constantly on the move out on the concert field where we don’t have access to 110v outlets. When primitive camping, a medium-sized portable panel can easily be set up in the sun, or left on the roof of a car and provide ample charge for a small group.
A few panels we like include the Qi Wireless (a great choice for a small cell phone charger); the Big Blue (a good choice panel for campsite charging); and the popular SUAOKI solar panel, the largest folding panel for even more power.
Bug Repellant Module. Depending on the area and season, bugs are more than a nuisance. They can ruin your outing. Citronella sometimes works, depending on which way the wind blows. A bug-repellant module can make or break your campsite. The Off clip-on unit is small and portable, and moves with the individual. For a small campsite area, we like the Thermacell insect repellent unit. For larger sites, use more units.
Compact Folding Table and Chairs. Camping is a communal experience. If people drop by, are you ready to welcome them? While Kelty still holds the #1 place on our list for campsite folding furniture, we are seeing ultraportable tables and chairs continually being improved, and costs falling. The KingCamp ultralight is the ideal small table for your campsite. It’s extremely sturdy, yet folds into a small package for transit to your campsite – or to visit a friend’s campsite for dinner. And at $30, it won’t break the bank. With weight and space always a consideration, this table’s innovative design and tiny packaging will definitely enhance your camp experience. Small, ultralight camping chairs are available in many sizes and shape from a variety of manufacturers which are extremely portable – making them portable enough to be carried on a hike, to your neighbor’s camp, or onto the concert field.
Binder Clips. Whether you need to hang tapestries, string up a line or an extension cord, or suspend some lights, sometimes clothespins just won’t cut it and duct tape’s sticky residue will leave you frustrated. How about binder clips? Perfect for campsite set-up, they’re tidy, strong, functional – and probably the most borrowed item we carry, though never asked for by name. Available from Amazon, these are modern-day clothes pins. Don’t leave home without ‘em (but don’t forget your duct tape!).
Whether you’re glamping or car camping, you have a host of supplies you’ll always bring along. Sometimes, though, if you think, look, and listen, you’ll find accessories that’ll elevate your camping experience.