-
Tips for Women: How to Camp Comfortably
We all know that any given woman is capable of accomplishing the same things outdoors as any given man, and that what makes a good camper is not only attitude, but skill. Either gender is capable of developing both. But when it comes to camping comfortably, it would be just plain wrong to act like there are no differences between men and women, and it’s fair to say that women have higher needs for comfort than many men. With that in mind, here are a few tips for the adventurous women out there.
First, getting a good’s night sleep during a camping weekend should be considered the most vital aspect of your comfortable camping experience. If you wake up with a sore back, it’s going to ruin the rest of your day. But if you wake up like you wake up out of your bed at home, you should feel absolutely fine and have more energy to accomplish the things you want to accomplish while camping that day.
With that in mind, be sure to focus on a few essential things: padding, insulation, and dryness. Padding simply refers to the type of bed you might be using – if you can bring along an air mattress with a gadget for easily pumping it up, you should have no problem sleeping on it. For insulation, make sure you have a comfortable sleeping bag that adequately traps your body heat. And when it comes to dryness, take extra precautions to keep both your tent and your equipment of of moisture’s way.Next, think about the kind of equipment you’ll be using during the daytime that will change your camping experience. For example, what luxury at home can’t you live without? If it’s a shower, you can find portable camping showers that function similar to showers at home, or simply find a campsite shower on a campground. It’s usually a good idea to try out a night of camping out in your backyard, without the conveniences at home except the ones in your bag, to get an idea of how you’ll fare when you’re camping. Make sure to bring a notepad to keep track of all of the things you believe you’ll need and that which you won’t need to bring on your trip.
Having a comfortable camping experience is all about preparation. As long as you have your bases covered, you should have a great experience that feels like you’re at one with nature, not constantly fighting it by tossing and turning all night.
Photo Credits: russelljsmith
-
Three Things the Rookie Camper Needs to Know
For some people, camping is a way of life. Having warm clothes for cool summer nights, knowing how to build a fire, and cooking out in the open air comes easily to them because they’ve been around it for so long. But for the rookie camper, what seems like what could be an ideal vacation is often marred by their lack of experience and the little details that make things different in real life. So how can the rookie camper get off to a good start? By keeping in mind these three things:
1. There’s a good chance you’ll over-pack. When you’re out camping for the first time, the temptation is to bring so many gadgets and so many supplies that you’ll have plenty of options for eating, sleeping, and dressing. But while this may feel fun as you pack, it often just makes things more difficult, getting in the way of utility and taking up precious packing space. You can eat simple foods, you can dress in simple clothes, and you don’t need to bring a laptop with you if you aren’t going to be working on it. Resist the temptation to over-pack on what you don’t need, because you’ll have more space for things you’ll actually use.
2. Going on a “trial-run” is a great idea. Not sure how you’ll fare when camping? Take the weekend before your big trip and decide to camp all day. Camp overnight starting on Friday and go through Saturday night. What does your tent need? How comfortable is your bedding? What gizmos did you find little use for? Even if you’re just camping in your backyard, this trial-run can be a great idea. Be sure to bring a notepad and pen with you so that you can keep track of the little things you notice. There’s nothing quite like a little reality to tell you where you really stand.3. Don’t underestimate the power of the weather. Even in summer, it’s easy for the temperature to drop during the night, and nothing ruins a night of sleep quite like cold air. Don’t be afraid to over-do it with the warm gear. Pack an extra outer layer and make sure that you’ll be well-insulated against the cold at night. Also, be ready for rain and use tents and tarps to protect what needs to remain dry.
Photo Credits: papalars
-
How to Conduct a Camping “Trial-Run”
If it’s been a while since your last jaunt in the woods, it’s fair to say that your camping skills are, shall we say, a bit rusty. You won’t necessarily be able to start the fires and set up the tents with the same speed you did years ago – unless you practice. You never know what kind of challenges you’ll face until you actually go camping, which is exactly why you’ll want to conduct a camping trial-run to make sure you’ve got everything planned for. Here’s how to do it.
First, set aside one day and one night before you go camping, preferably not too far in advance of the actual camping trip. You’ll be using this day and night to conduct what is essentially a camping simulation. Set up your tent, bring out your own water, and even so far as to avoid using the indoor bathroom – unless you’re in a highly urban area. (Note: If you live in a city apartment, find the closest camping spot and simply use it for a night.)
The goal is to avoid civilization for an afternoon, evening, and through the night so that you’ll know what it’s like to be camping again, without access to a hotel or restaurant. Make sure to take a notepad and pencil with you so that you can write down anything you’ve forgotten to purchase; make sure to pack this with you when you actually head out camping with your family and/or friends.What skills do you want to work on? Try to gather wood and start your own fire, hopefully bringing a tripod grill along with you so that you can cook any meat you packed in a cooler. You’ll also want to make sure you know how to build your tent – some tents are more complicated than others and require a little more effort. Also, keep note of how you clean yourself – if you’re feeling stinky and dirty by the following morning, there’s a good chance you may want to invest in a device like an outdoor shower.
The key is to treat your trial-run as finding your blind spots. You probably wouldn’t be able to plan for everything while sitting at home on your computer, but if you actually go out and experience what it’s like to camp, you’ll finally see where your blind sports are and what you need to do in order to make sure they don’t detract from your camping experience.
Photo Credits: jaygooby
