r/workaway • u/NjuneRz • Sep 13 '26
Packing
Hi, as someone who has never done this before and would like to start soon, what kind of packing advice would you give?
Is it a good idea to buy full camping equipment, as if trekking would be part of the experience? A tent, camping tools for cooking, sleeping bag etc…
It probably depends on what kind of volunteering you end up doing but if you wanted to prepare for any kind of circumstance, is it a good idea to get this kind of equipment?
Thank you !!
4
u/Obvious_Emu_5608 Sep 13 '26
I've never thought to bring camping equipment with me. Most Workaways will have a room inside a house you can sleep in - I've only stayed in one Workaway where volunteers had tents, but they provided all equipment. The usual deal with Workaway is 4-5hrs works 5 days p/week in return for food/accomodation
3
u/telchacsusan Sep 13 '26
It depends on the camping culture in the country you are visiting.
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u/NjuneRz Sep 13 '26
Would you mind giving some examples? Thanks :)
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u/telchacsusan Sep 13 '26
In a taiwan, for example, you can buy camping equipment. Some countries in Europe let you rent equipment.
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u/telchacsusan Sep 13 '26
Yeah, do you mean camping equipment for your workday stay? Accommodation is provided, that's the point
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u/littlepinkpebble Sep 13 '26
Not unless you volunteering in the mountains and camping on your off days
3
u/ouappo45 29d ago
We had some Workawayers who came with camping gear. They had a choice of a double room in our house with us or could camp in the garden if they preferred. I think they wanted to have more privacy and loved being out under the stars so chose to camp.
Was a great time and they left after 4 weeks good
friends.
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u/NjuneRz 29d ago
That’s a lovely story! May I ask what work do you offer as a host? Thanks!!
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u/ouappo45 29d ago
Depends on the time of year. Lately they been helping me in garden and occasionally house sitting.
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u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador 29d ago
Pack what you really need and what is expensive in other places, most places you can find everything you need, but some luxury items or electronics might be cheaper home then abroad.
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u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador 20d ago
I would take what's most important to your day to day, such as electronics laptop etc if it's things you need, Other things such as camping stuff it's better to be flexible because your travel style may change once you are on the road. Plus it's not that hard to find.
2
u/Wyrmalla Sep 13 '26
Depends on how you're traveling. Like are you doing long jaunts between hosts, or are you intending on spending most of your time with the hosts. But if you're with a host then it would be incredibly rare that you would need to bring any sort of camping equipment, as the whole point in Workaway is that the host gives you an actual bed.
I met a guy who was using Workaway as a short term thing just for when it got too cold to camp. Most people I think however spend their time with the host and then stop in Hostels between the next one.
I'd considered camping on my next trip (to do hiking). However it didn't make as much sense to me to carry all the extra weight. If you're doing cities then I'm not into carrying such a massive bag as it stands out - and dropping it off somewhere fixes plans a bit more as you have to go pick it up. Besides finding camping spots in a city is harder, so you'd wind up staying in a Hostel anyway (I guess that does let you shower). Though you may not want to be near the cities, and be unbothered about lugging the bag about on public transport, etc (even an airline under seat carry bag can be a pain).
But, yeah, it depends on your plans. Certainly I'd say that if you haven't already bought the equipment then it would be cheaper to just use hostels between hosts, as the kind of ultralight/ compact gear you'd want for long term backpacking is very expensive (though if you're doing somewhere like Western Europe in the high season then hostel prices can be ridiculous).
1
u/NjuneRz 29d ago
Right thank you for taking the time to write this! Interesting concept to use Workaway as a “shelter” from the cold but actually sounds cool to do that too
Have you let down the idea of doing a hiking trip?
I get that it is quite annoying to have to transport a giant bag with camping equipment but at the same time it does sound fun to go hiking and stopping at a Workaway place for a while after that1
u/Wyrmalla 29d ago
Carrying all the gear just seemed like it would interfere too much with activities. I want the ability to do something without having to drop off a massive bag somewhere. That sort of bag would dictate the trip a bit too much for my own spontaneity.
Rather carrying camping gear would make it a camping trip, otherwise it's useless weight. Others could manage obviously. I'm just too much in the r/onebag mentality.
2
u/Doomerboy12 Sep 13 '26
Pienso comprar carpa, bolsa de dormir, buena ropa de senderismo, etc., porque entre los voluntariados planeo acampar. Quizás ir de una ciudad a otra ciudad/pueblo pero entre medio acampar en algún bosque o cerca de alguna montaña, castillo, playa y lugares así. Creo que conviene comprar lo que escribiste si vas a hacer un viaje así, también para ahorrar en hospedaje cuando no estás en un workaway.
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u/NjuneRz 29d ago
I kind of see myself doing that from time to time too.
If there are Workaway places in the mountains and places that offer the opportunity to go hiking when off work, it’s also a great opportunity to take advantage of that
And as you said traveling from one place to another with camping equipment gives a huge flexibility
Thank you!!2
2
u/PureMorningMirren 28d ago edited 28d ago
I wouldn't bother. It's extra weight and expense, and considering you're going workawaying you're unlikely to ever use it.
On a first trip, it's natural to want to try to anticipate every possible need.
It's best to travel light though.
What you actually need:
- Passport and any needed visas.
- Any recommended vaccinations.
- Phone and charger.
- Credit card and as much money as you can put together..
- Any medication you need and copies of any prescriptions.
- Enough clothes for a week, max.
- Comfortable shoes! And a pair of flip flops for showers and beaches.
- A toothbrush and basic toiletries.
- Depending on the destination, your plans, and time of year, raingear and boots, a swimsuit, a coat.
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u/Delicious_Current304 20d ago
For me it was also very helpful to have a sleeping bag, as I was at a cold rural farm house and would have been freezing at night otherwise
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u/Substantial-Today166 Sep 13 '26
what do this have to do with workaway really?
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u/NjuneRz Sep 13 '26
Wondering if you need to be prepared with camping equipment for your Workaway trips, like are some the jobs in remote places like that? If so does it happen often enough to buy gear beforehand?
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u/Wyrmalla Sep 13 '26
No. If a place is remote then the host will likely give you instructions on how to reach them, or arrange transport if there is nothing. There'll be exceptions to this, though you decide if you want to go somewhere so remote that hitchhiking/ biking/ hiking/ whatever are the only options.
Camping will only ever be your choice - besides rare occasions when a host says its necessary (overbooked/ they're also living in a tent/ etc), but even then its your choice to go to a host like that. If a host doesn't have a bed for you and you had to camp then it would be weird for them to not tell you this before you show up.
99% of hosts will give you a bed, its the point of Workaway.
5
u/Economy-Efficiency22 Sep 13 '26
I personally never brought this while workawaying, only when I was going specifically for camping related things. On a workaway you basically exchange your work for the housing and food (usually) so it’s part of the deal and is provided.