Making Your Camping Bed (And Sleeping In It, Too)

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

It’s no secret that one of the purported miseries of camping – as espoused by the willfully-sheltered folk who happily name themselves “indoor types” – is that sleeping on the ground is no fun. In fact, it can be downright painful. The experienced camper, however, knows that sleeping on the ground would be like eating a camping diet solely comprised of almonds and hot dogs: with a little preparation it’s not necessary. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can make your camping bed and actually want to sleep in it, too.

First, understand your options. An airmattress will keep you off the ground, but so will a cot, a futon, a foam pad, and even something home-made. So many people think about sleeping on the ground outdoors that they forget it takes very little action in order to rectify the problem: simply buy something for your bed that you can bring with you.

That’s why you’ll still want to bring that camping staple so many enjoy: the sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags come with zippers that allow them to fold out like blankets. You can use this feature to spread out the sleeping bag like a blanket on your airmattress or cot.

Why not just use a regular blanket? Regular blankets work well, but they’re not designed for the outdoors. Sleeping blankets usually have lining on the outside that keeps them dry, sealed off from insects, and insulating well against the cold. You’d be surprised how much heat you can still trap with a sleeping blanket that’s been folded out.

Once you have your gear ready, simply bring a comfortable pillow or two from home. If you really want to stay luxurious, you can even bring sheets; it will feel like you’re still in your bedroom. Make sure to keep your pillow and sheets in a safe, dry place (such as the back of your car, if it’s nearby); exposing them to the elements can mean bugs, sticks, and moisture. Make sure to put together your bed after you’ve set up your tent: when bedtime arrives, you’ll be ready to slip in the covers right away, just like at home.

Photo Credits: Felipe Skroski

The Morning: How to Start Your Day of Camping Off Right

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Believe it or not, a good day of camping doesn’t necessarily start in the morning. No, I’m not suggesting that it should start off in the afternoon: rather, a great day of camping should start the night before with a solid night’s sleep and the right kind of preparation. If you want to wake up to cool air and a bright sun, it’s time to learn how to start your day off right. Here’s how you want to get started camping in the morning.

• Get a full night’s sleep.

  The most important thing to consider is your sleep before you begin your day. If you stay up too late, you’ll find yourself waking up when the sun is already at its highest. If your sleeping is too uncomfortable, you won’t be able to find the quality of sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. That’s why it’s important to consider tomorrow morning before you go to bed. If you have to, cut off conversations and tell people you have to go to bed because you’ve got a “big day tomorrow.” It’s ultimately you who decides the quality of day you want to enjoy.

• Make sure breakfast is ready or at least accessible.

  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it will provide you with the fuel you lost overnight and help regulate your appetite throughout the day. If you’re going to eat to really get full, breakfast is the time to do it. The problem during a camping trip is that eating in the morning often simply means chewing on beef jerky or whatever’s available. Instead, make sure you’ve got some easy-to-prepare food in the cooler: fruit and protein work great for both giving you an energy boost and filling you up. Heat up some sausages in a pan while you eat bananas, apples, and oranges, and eat some almonds or mixed nuts for some healthy fat.

• Get going!

  You might notice that when you lounge around all day, you can’t help but feel sluggish. That’s because your energy will often rise to the occasion. If you’re out and about at 7 a.m., then there’s a good chance you’ll feel more energized throughout the day. Even if everyone else is sleeping, it’s time for you to take the boat out for a quick fish, or indulge in another physical activity like hiking or swimming. By the time everyone else is waking up, you’ll feel fueled and ready for a great day of camping.

Choosing how to live your days is a skill; it might take some practice. If you don’t think you have the kind of self-discipline to start off with a good morning out on a camping trip, try doing it on one of your Saturdays in the coming weeks.