The best time to prepare for your next camping trip is probably not the evening before you leave.
It is when you get home from the last one.
That might be the moment when you least feel like dealing with tents, chairs, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and half-unpacked boxes, but a little attention now can make the next trip considerably easier.
Instead of putting everything away and assuming you'll deal with it later, think of unpacking as the final stage of the trip.
First: unpack properly
Don't allow camping gear to remain in the car, garage or hallway for days in assorted bags.
Bring everything together and unpack it fully. Check pockets, smaller bags and containers for items that have been tucked away during the trip. This is often where torches, pegs, small tools and other accessories disappear until the next outing.
Food and other perishable items should be dealt with promptly, and equipment should be prepared for storage according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Next: make a note of what didn't work
While the trip is still fresh in your mind, ask a few practical questions.
What did you forget?
What ran out?
What broke?
What did you take but never use?
Was there something you wished you'd brought?
This is much easier to remember now than several months later when you're packing again. Keep a simple camping list on your phone and update it after each trip.
You may discover that your list gets shorter as well as longer. If you've taken the same piece of equipment on four trips and never once used it, consider whether it needs to keep travelling with you.
Check before you store
Give equipment a quick inspection before it disappears into storage.
Look for damage, missing pieces or anything requiring attention. Check tents, sleeping equipment, chairs, lights, cooking equipment and other regularly used items individually.
If something needs repairing, create a clear action for it rather than placing it back with everything else. A broken item stored neatly is still a broken item.
Anything that needs to be completely dry before storage should be given sufficient time to do so, following the manufacturer's care instructions.
Restock now, not later
Some camping supplies are used gradually, which makes them easy to forget.
If something needs replacing before the next trip, add it to your list immediately. You don't necessarily need to buy it straight away, particularly if your next outing is months away, but you do need to remember it.
This also prevents unnecessary duplicate purchases. Before buying another torch, cooking utensil or piece of equipment, check your camping storage first.
Then put everything back together
Return camping equipment to its designated storage area by category so you can see what you have. Keep the items that are normally used together reasonably close to one another.
The aim is that when someone says, “Shall we go camping next weekend?”, your first thought isn't about the state of the equipment.
Most of the preparation has already been done.
Before closing the cupboard, garage or store room door, put your updated camping list somewhere you know you'll find it.
Next trip, start there.