Finals season is upon us! As you get ready to take your biggest and best performances of the year to the competition stage, you’re probably also preparing for at least a little travel. Road-tripping to dance competitions is a classic summer dance activity whether you’re off to a summer intensive in your favorite style, auditioning, or going with your dance team to a national competition.
These are our top tips for getting road trip-ready and making the most of your time in the car! (If you’re traveling a bit farther, you can also use these for flights.)
Make a Packing List
We all know the feeling. You leave for competition and an hour into your trip or once you arrive at your destination, you realize you forgot something important. Let’s start on the right foot with a packing list. It’s easy to forget even simple items, especially if you have to wait to pack them because you use them every day. Divide your packing list into categories, including a “pack before you leave” list for things like phone charger and toothbrushes.
Take the Essentials
Every road trip requires a few essentials like snacks, activities, and blankets. Pack yourself fruit, veggies with dip, pretzels, and even a lunch if you’re going to be in the car for several hours. Then bring a book, music, and headphones. You could also plan to watch a movie on your phone or a tablet. From there, it’s all about comfort. Don’t forget a hoodie and some comfy socks and blankets and pillows if you’re really settling in.
Stay Productive
If you going on a road trip that is going to be more than a couple hours long, you might want to use that time wisely to benefit you, especially if just chilling in the car isn’t your thing. Do school work, take a nap, or even go over choreography. You could also use this as the perfect time to read a book you’ve had on your TBR or finish a craft project (we see you, unfinished crochet tops).
Rest
Take time to rest! As dancers, we put our bodies through a lot mentally and physically which means rest is important and should be a top priority. Road trips are the perfect time to get a nap in and just relax.
