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The basics:
Your camp should fit fairly easily into the vehicle you'll be using to transport it. (That's why you see so many minivans at SCA events.) Once you know how everything fits, commit it to memory so you can repeat it the next time.
The Calontir Army in front of the castle at Gulf Wars IX.
Packing skills are a must for a week-long event far from home!
Best idea: Make a packing list, and categorize your gear to minimize packing time. Laminate your list so you can use it again and again. Click here to see our master packing list. We never take everything on the list; we just choose what we'll need for a particular event.
Add "directions to the site" to your packing list. Trust me on this one.
Think ahead. When you add an item to your packing list, think about what equipment you might need in order to open, cook, store, clean, light, repair, cover, hang or inflate it. Add this equipment to your list, too.
Before every event, check supplies that have to be replenished, like lamp oil, kerosene, candles or matches.
Cover the floor of your van with a thin piece of hardboard before you pack. It protects the carpet, and gear slides on it, saving wear and tear on the person doing the packing.
Use a box or a bin for the gear you need to set up your tent. Pack it on top or in front of a door so you can get to it first.
You'll probably set up your tent first when you arrive on site (especially in rainy weather). So don't bury your tent at the bottom of your van. Same goes for your rug or floorcloth, if you use one.
When you pack, start with the big stuff on the bottom. Then pack the smaller items around and on top of them. Pack tight to save space and keep things from moving around and getting damaged.
Assemble all your gear before you start packing. Then you can find something to pack that matches the space you need to fill rather than trying to find a space for something you need to pack.
If you can flatten it out to pack it, do it. This goes for tables, chairs, rugs, sheepskins, blankets, whatever.
Whenever you build or buy an item of furniture for your camp, think about how you might break it down for packing.
We pack everything into the van, then slide the futon in on top. It takes up less space than if it were rolled up. This usually gives us an uncluttered view out the back window, too.
Pack the ends of long weapons or poles against a barrier so they don't become projectiles in a sudden stop.
For long events more than a day away, pack your coolers where you can get to them, and buy your food at your destination.
Ratchet straps are good for quickly securing long poles to a roof rack.
Be sure you can get to your jack, lug wrench and spare tire without having to unpack your entire vehicle.
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