The Ultimate Camping Survival Guide for Festival Season

With Bonnaroo launching this weekend, it is now official summer festival season, that magical time of year when you forsake three square meals a day for a funnel of Busch Light, shampoo for sulfur-scented portable water and a mattress for good ol' solid earth, all for the sake of scoping as many bands as possible in one full weekend.

But if you're like much of the festival community, by Monday morning you're sunburned and stinking worse than George Clinton after a weeklong acid trip. Your campsite resembles a frat house after homecoming and your tent looks just a hair better than a FEMA trailer. Let's not even mention the state of your underwear — that is, if you're still wearing any.

We're here to help you avoid the Monday morning blues. So change your oil, check the weather and remember your tickets. This is your Festival Survival Guide.

Camping Gear:
Your campsite will be your temporary home for the weekend. Bring the right gear and take some time to set up your site and you will be much more comfortable.

Set up your tent before you hit the road to check for missing pieces.
Apply seam sealer to waterproof your tent, and remember the rain fly.
You can never have too many tent stakes or tarps.
Buy or create a shade tent.
Bring a light sleeping bag and a pillow.
You'll need a hammer and some twine.
Some prefer an air mattress, but if you're a little more rugged (or broke), a cheap ground mat will suffice.
Invest in quality camping chairs.
Two coolers: one for water and beer, one for food. Keep them stocked with ice and out of the sun!
Bring a small folding table to prepare food on or to play beer pong.
A small camping grill is fine for most on-site cooking.
A lightweight backpack.
An extra tent to store gear in is a handy accessory.
Bring plastic bags to keep clothing dry.
Toilet paper, paper towels, wet-wipes, bug spray, bar soap and sunscreen will all be necessary.
A battery-powered radio for music and weather reports.
Don't forget a first aid kit!

Food, Beverages and other Nourishment:
While there will be plenty of food and drinks available at whatever fest you're heading to, save some money and bring your own.

Buy a few burgers, hot dogs and a London broil or two.
Bring cheese, but leave the tomatoes and lettuce at home.
Bagels make for an easy breakfast, peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese for lunch.
Chips, salsa, fruit, cookies, granola bars and trail mix are great for munchies.
Orange juice is key for the morning.
Water: The most important item on this list. Bring one case per person. It sounds like a lot but trust us, you'll need it.
Beer: No glass bottles (security will confiscate all glass). Bring a few cases of cheap brew.
Tylenol and allergy meds.
Multi-vitamins!