Packing Cubes & Girl Scouts: Why I’ll Never Travel Without Them Again
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Last weekend, my daughter and I packed up and headed out with her Girl Scout troop for a much-anticipated camping adventure. We had everything: marshmallows, sleeping bags, rain boots, and the spirit of adventure (or at least caffeine for the adults). What we didn’t expect? The rollercoaster of weather, mud-caked shoes, and the chaos of three families sharing one tent.
But you know what saved us? Packing cubes.
Not a flashy gadget. Not a Pinterest-worthy checklist. Just good old compression packing cubes. I already knew I liked them, but this trip turned me into a die-hard fan. Now, I can say with full confidence: no matter where we’re going—campground, cruise, grandma’s house—our packing cubes are coming with us.
🎒 Why Packing Cubes Were a Game-Changer
When we started packing for the trip, I grabbed our compression cubes out of habit. But what I didn’t expect was how much of a difference they would make in almost every part of our weekend.
1. We Could Pack More… In Less Space
Let’s be real—when you’re going camping, you’re already hauling a small mountain of gear. Sleeping bags, bug spray, headlamps, multiple changes of clothes (because mud, obviously), and let’s not forget your child’s “must-bring” stuffed animal collection. Add to that the fact that your kid somehow gets you to carry their backpack halfway through the hike? You want to keep things light.
With the compression cubes, we fit way more into a smaller bag than I thought possible. Shirts, pants, socks—even that fuzzy hoodie that always takes up half the suitcase—compressed down into neat little squares. It was like playing Tetris, but with actual stakes.
Plus, the smaller our bags were, the more room we had in the tent. And when you're sharing that tent with two other families and a stray Girl Scout leader’s guitar, every inch counts.
2. Sorting by Color Made Sharing Simple
Because we packed everything into one big suitcase (we were aiming for less stuff, not more), I used two different colored cubes—one for my daughter, one for me.
This made the getting-ready process so much smoother. No rifling through piles of socks or guessing whose leggings belonged to whom. I could say, “Hey, grab your pink cube,” and boom—she had her outfit for the day.
It sounds small, but when everyone’s trying to get dressed in a shared tent or hustling to the bathhouse before the line forms, that level of organization is everything.
⛈️ The Surprise Benefit I Didn’t Plan For
Now here’s the real plot twist.
The forecast before we left was a total mystery. First it said sun, then rain, then it settled somewhere in the “you’re on your own” category. We prepped as best we could—ponchos, waterproof boots, and crossed fingers.
But nothing prepared us for the two surprise thunderstorms that rolled in during the night. We’re talking full-on torrential downpours, lightning in the distance, and winds that turned the tent walls into flapping sails.
Our tent held up (shoutout to the troop moms who know how to stake like pros), but the wind did manage to sneak in some rain. Shoes got wet. Sleeping bags were damp. A few unlucky backpacks soaked through.
Except ours.
Because I’d packed everything in water-resistant compression cubes, all our clothes were dry. Even the backup sweatshirts and cozy socks I packed “just in case” were safe. While others were hanging pajamas on tree branches the next morning, we were dry, warm, and incredibly grateful.
That alone made me want to high-five my past self.
💡 Final Thoughts: I’ll Never Travel Without Them Again
Packing cubes didn’t just help us pack more efficiently. They helped us:
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Stay organized in a cramped, shared space
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Keep clean clothes dry during unexpected weather
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Separate our stuff without needing extra bags
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Reduce the stress of living out of a suitcase all weekend
Honestly, they made the entire trip smoother. And when you’re already juggling a Girl Scout itinerary, meal rotations, craft stations, and “where’s my flashlight” moments—any bit of mental load you can remove is a win.
Whether you’re planning a family camping trip, a weekend hotel stay, or a cross-country road trip, packing cubes are one of those rare things that make life actually easier. No overthinking. No complicated setup. Just zip, compress, and go.
So if you’re staring down a suitcase wondering how you’re going to fit it all (and not lose your mind in the process), trust me—packing cubes might be the smartest travel decision you make.
They were for me.
And the next time we hit the trail with the Girl Scouts—or the next time my daughter announces she “needs five outfits for a two-day trip”—I’ll be ready. With my packing cubes in hand, of course.