Tag Archives: hacks

3-Day Camping Hacks

Last week, we shared some walking hacks for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, and if you thought those were good, wait until you see what tricks are up our sleeves for making your Komen 3-Day camp experience easier and better than you imagined it could be.

1. Everyone’s bags tend to look alike when you go to claim them at camp. Make yours stand out by tying on a colorful scarf or marking it with vibrant duct tape.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks scarf on bag
We might suggest a color other than pink; not that we don’t love pink, but if everyone uses the same color, it kind of defeats the purpose.

2. Pack each day’s clothes (including socks and underwear) in a separate 2 gallon Ziploc bag.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks ziploc bags clothes This makes it easy to find the day’s clothes in the morning darkness of your tent, and gives you a bag to put your dirty clothes in, keeping them separated from everything else in your bag. Pack your lounge wear for camp, PJs and extra undies in bags too, and bring a couple extras.

3. Instead of taking up space in your luggage with a pillow, just bring a pillow case filled with clean clothes you’re going to wear.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks clothes in pillow case

4. A yoga mat makes a great sleeping pad.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks yoga mat sleeping pad It also takes up less room (in your luggage and in your tent) than an air mattress.susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks yoga mat luggage

5. Bring single servings of toiletries in straws. This hack takes a bit of work (see the how-to here), but every little bit of luggage space and weight counts!

6. Worried about travel-size shampoos and lotions leaking in your bag? Put some plastic wrap over the opening then screw the cap back on.

7. If you use the 3-Day towel service, instead of pitching your towels into the bin immediately after you use them, take them back to your tent and use one as a doormat.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks towel doormat Save the other to put on the floor of the shower stall tomorrow for a makeshift bath mat. Then put it in the bin.

8. If your feet/legs hurt at the end of your day of walking, you can use your duffle bag as a foot rest to keep your tootsies elevated during the night.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks bag as foot rest (This method works well if you’re sleeping on a flat camp roll or yoga mat…not so well on an air mattress.)

9. 1-inch binder clips are the perfect size to clip around the cross-poles of your tent.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks binder clips for tent Use them to secure the rain flaps open, to fasten a tarp or plastic sheeting over the top, or to attach tent decorations.

10. If you dread the thought of disrobing from your PJs in the cold morning air, get dressed in the next day’s clothes before you go to sleep. You’ll wake up toasty warm, and may even snag 5 extra minutes of shut-eye because you’re already dressed!

 

Got any good 3-Day camping hacks? Let us know in the comments

(Thank you to first time San Diego walker Kenzie D. for modeling these hacks! Oh, and here’s what happens when you leave your camera unattended with your teenage model… )Komen_3day_camping hacks_teenage silliness

 

3-Day Walking Hacks

We’ve learned some tricks and shortcuts over the years, which we’re passing along to you to help make your Susan G. Komen 3-Day walking experience even better.

1.  Put your phone in airplane mode when walking. susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks airplane mode phone

You can still use the camera or music player, but your battery will last much longer if it’s not constantly searching for a cell/internet signal. (Also, when you go to charge your phone back at camp, keep it off or in airplane mode and it will charge much faster.)

2. If you expect rain, put your phone in a Ziploc bag. susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks phone in plastic bagThe touchscreen will still work through the plastic, but it will stay dry.

3. Put a spare pair of socks in a snack size Ziploc and carry it in your fanny pack.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks spare socks plastic bag Change your socks at lunch, then put the dirty ones into the Ziploc to keep them separate from everything else in your pack.

4. Cold morning? Use your spare socks as mittens until you warm up.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks spare socks mittens Then just stick them back in your pack so you can change into them at lunch.

5. Newspaper stuffed into wet shoes will dry them out by morning.Susan G Komen 3 Day Walking Hacks Newspaper in Shoes
6. Small instant ice packs will provide a few minutes of refreshing coolness without the drippiness of a bag of ice.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks ice packs (Though sometimes the drippiness is nice too…)

7. In rain, a binder clip will secure your poncho hood to the bill of your hat to keep it from flying off your head.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks binder clip poncho hat
8. A 1-inch binder clip also makes a terrific make-shift lip balm holder.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks binder clip lip balm holder You can secure a tube of your favorite SPF lip cover right to your lanyard, so it’s never far when you need it.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks lip balm binder clip

9. Did you know that there are sunscreen towelettes? If you have limited space in your walking pack, these may be a good alternative to a bulky bottle of SPF. Or, see if you can score some samples of sunblock (usually packaged in flat pouches) from a local dermatologist or spa.

10. If you plan to use duct tape for anything (believe or not, this is the go-to blister care method for many walkers), wrap a few feet of it around your water bottle and tear it off as you need it, rather trying to carry a whole roll around with you.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks duct tape on water bottle

 

Got any good 3-Day walking hacks? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for 3-Day Camping Hacks, too? Click here! 

(Thank you to first time San Diego walker Kenzie D. for modeling these hacks!)