"We're camping, not moving house"

[Levithecat]

So said my DH last night. It seems to take days and some serious logistics to get ready to go camping, and I want us to be able to be more spontaneous and just grab stuff and go.
Does anyone have any tips to make things easier? And where do you all stash your kit when not in use? I wonder if part of our problem is that things are spread between the house, garage and loft.

[Pengweng]

We stash all the kitchen stuff, so stoves, plates, cups, utensils etc along with tea, coffee, sugar etc in a big plastic tub in the shed so it's always ready to go. Everything lives in that box permanently. All sleeping bags and blankets/mats/rugs etc are in another big box. Then it's just tent and chairs and clothes and food and we are good to go. lol. I guess it does take a while but having the kitchen stuff all together does save me a lot of time.

[Levithecat]

Thanks Peng, that makes sense. Having the bedding together would be good - at the moment we take a travel cot and duvets for everyone so hoping to move DS onto an inflatable and cut down on bedding.

Do you keep a list of everything?!

[ICJump]

Over summer we kept the sleeping gear in a suitcase, and a box packed with kitchen gear. We can clean house, pack the car (including taking out our rear row) do a supermarket shop and be on the road by 1030am.
We are considering getting a small trailer so we can have it all packed except for food and clothes and booze.

[Levithecat]

That's fast, ICJump - hope we can get there! Just back from 3 days and unpacking was definitely quicker (left all kitchen stuff in one box) so hoping we'll speed up on packing too. Might write a few packing lists. I've ordered some stuff sacks with straps for our duvet etc and hoping to have DS out of the travel cot soon. Would really like the experience to be a bit more spontaneous.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

Same as Peng - I have those big IKEA boxes on wheels full of the gear - then just roll to the car and load (boxes don't fit) and a slightly smaller one with the kitchen things which goes straight in. Always a good idea to make a note of what you missed on your last trip (extra gas, different pegs etc )and pack when you are unloading after your trip.