Music Festivals 101

Camping music festivals can be a little intimating especially when it's you're first time attending or you haven't camped out much! Being at a 3 day festival sleeping in tents can be a little difficult during bad weather conditions, keeping things dry, or bringing things that can help shield from the sun are also equally as important.  I've created a list of tips on what to bring, and other things for your festival plans this summer! 

1.  Pack light! I can't stress this tip enough! I've learned through my own experiences that bringing more is not in fact better. For example my first year attending Camp Bisco I brought a huge tote bag filled with tons of clothes, shoes, and accessories when in reality I only wore about 5 of the clothes I brought and 1 pair of shoes. It was really a pain having to drag my huge bag up a mountain along with camping gear, coolers, etc. So rule of thumb is to back 1 backpack filled with pre planned items you know you will NEED! Trust me it'll save you so much energy.
2. Decide on what your wearing BEFORE you go! Let's be honest as girls what we're wearing is the first thing we're thinking of after we buy those tickets! What I like to do is plan out 1 outfit for each day of the festival and then pack an extra pair of warm pants and a sweater that I can throw on at night when it gets a bit chilly. When planning your outfits make sure you try on the whole thing before the festival meaning with accessories and the shoes you want to wear. Just to make sure you love it and aren't having second thoughts come festival day! Also pack rain boots! I wish I would of thought of this last year after being stuck in a 3 day thunderstorm at Electric Forest. I ended up having to go barefoot the entire festival stepping in a muddy swamp! 
3. Put you're pre-planned outfits in gallon sized zip block bags! This is probably my favorite tip and what has saved me through rainy festivals where my tent has flooded. When you put you're clothes in zip block bags it keeps all the moisture out so even if your tent get's flooded all of your clothes will still be dry! Also be sure to pack extra socks and extra underwear because you just never know what can happen! 
4. Bring a canopy and tapestries to give shade! This tip is crucial for having a good time at your campsite without baking in the hot summer sun. You're campsite ends up being your home for the weekend so making it as comfortable as possible is the key. Having a canopy provides a huge area of shade for you and your friends to sit. The tapestries are used to create "walls" so that the sun cannot get inside. Also you could use extra tapestries to sit on at your campsite or to bring to the festival grounds so you can take a break and sit while enjoying the music! 
5. BRING EXTRA WATER! Water is going to be your best friend the entire weekend and you definitely don't want to have to spend $7 on a water bottle inside the festival because you ran out :( Instead of buying cases of water bottles which will create a mess at your campsite, buy big gallon sized containers that you can constantly fill up at water stations! 
6. Buy an extra gallon sized water bottle that you can use as a shower! The truth is at music festivals you don't really get to have a proper shower. So, my tip is to buy an extra gallon water bottle, poke 2 holes in it, and let it heat up in the sun for a few hours, and then get into your bathing suit and have someone pour it over you so you can somewhat take a decent "shower." This will make you feel so much better and cleaner it's saved my life a few times haha.
7. Pre make food and buy things that don't need to be kept cold for long! This is key for not having to buy over priced festival food. I like to bring fresh fruit such as bananas, apples, and oranges that don't necessarily need to be kept cold for long. For more filling foods bagels, pop tarts, granola, sandwich supplies, and making salads are a good option too!
8. Lastly bring your good vibes and bring good people with you! this is so so important. The people you surround yourself with will be the people that make your experience the best that it can be! Take care of yourself, your friends, and your neighbors. If you see someone struggling offer them some water and positive thoughts. Have a safe and happy festival season!!