Five Essential Items For Your Camping To-Do List

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Have you ever gone camping before and felt, well, terrible at it? Sure, you might have packed well, but when your feet actually hit the great outdoors, you’re in a whole different world, especially if your experience is going to be truly rustic. Good camping comes with good experience, but it also comes with the right kind of knowledge.

If you ever feel lost camping, this article is for you. Here’s your checklist to kick off your camping trip right:

1. Shelter first. I was recently on a camping trip with some friends and we arrived in the twilight hours. Luckily, we followed the idea of “shelter first” by setting up our tents with the limited light we had left. By the time we were done setting up camp, it was dark out and we were getting our fire ready. If we had built the fire first, putting up the tents would have been a major nuisance.

3. Get warm. The fire is useful for keeping warm at night, but you’ll also want to be ready for sleeping out under the stars. Even on summer nights the temperature can drop drastically and you’ll want to make sure you’re properly insulated. Bring some heavy flannel clothes even for camping in the summer and be sure you have a sleeping bag that really traps heat well.

4. Plan for the next meal. If your shelter is up and you’ve got heat taken care of, plan for the next meal – even if it’s tomorrow’s breakfast. Check your cooler and make sure you have all of the utensils and goods you need. When you wake up tomorrow, you should be ready to start a fire and get the bacon crackling.

5. Set up your wants. The three needs of survival in the wilderness tend to go like this: shelter, water, food. With all of that taken care of (you brought fresh water, right?), set up your “wants.” Have the DVD player ready to go in your tent. If you brought an outdoor shower, make sure you found a suitable place to put it, and that it’s filled.

Photo Credits: tranchis

Heading Home: How to “Break Camp”

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Sooner or later, as fun as your camping trip may have been, it will be time to go home. If your camping trip has been a successful one, you may hate to break that bit of news to your family or friends, but as the old adage goes, “all good things must come to an end.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods yet, friend. You’re going to have to break camp, meaning you’ll have to pack up all of your things, clean up your camping area, and get ready for transport. Here’s a quick guide to doing it as thoroughly and efficiently as possible.

First, don’t procrastinate cleaning up throughout your trip. A lot of the stress of breaking camp will be reduced if you do a little “mini-clean” before going to bed each night. These cleans don’t have to do anything major, but you should at least stop garbage from stockpiling next to your tent. The more prepared you are to break camp, the easier it will be to start it. No one wants to look at a huge pile of garbage and clothes at the end of the week and wonder how to even make the first dent.

Third, work together. As tough as it is to motivate a group of people to clean when they don’t want to clean, having more hands will make things easier for everyone involved. Work together to get a good system going – someone handles garbage disposing, someone handles packing and bags, and someone takes down the tent. If you get all cylinders going at once, you’ll be able to break camp in record time.

Fourth, do a review and final walk around. If you have that nagging feeling that you’ve forgotten to pack something, there’s a pretty good chance you did. Have a mental checklist of the things you’ll absolutely need – like a cell phone, wallet, car keys, etc. If you’ve remembered all of these things, don’t spend too much time looking for something that you can just replace anyway.

A good camping trip is not only relaxing, but it gets your mind to focus on nature, camp site maintenance, and the fun of being in the outdoors – just remember to leave the woods like you found them.

Photo Credits: heymarchetti

How to Conduct a Camping “Trial-Run”

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

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.)

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

Are You A Backpacker?

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

When we think of the term “backpacker,” we probably get a particular image in our heads: someone walking solo through Europe, going from town to town after graduating from college and hoping to discover something about themselves.

Okay, maybe our image of the backpacker isn’t that specific, but we do know one thing: being a backpacker isn’t limited to the profound. Backpacking is also about integrating hiking and camping into one enjoyable, relaxing activity that helps you get out of the world for a few days and cut loose. Spending the occasional weekend on a backpacking trip doesn’t mean you’ve mentally checked out; instead, it means you’re simply recharging your batteries.

With that in mind, ask yourself a few questions to determine whether or not you have the personality of a backpacker, and you’ll understand in a few minutes whether you have it within you.

-Do you function well alone, or at least feel the yearning to get away from things?

You might have a busy and active social life, but sometimes taking “time off” doesn’t only refer to work. Spending a day or two camping by yourself can be totally reinvigorating, especially if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a highly active social life. If a break from “people” sounds as welcoming as a break from work, you might want to spend a weekend backpacking, if even just to try it out.

-Do you enjoy camping?

You don’t need to enjoy being alone to be a backpacker; often, you can spend a backpacking trip with a friend or loved on. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you come to another question: how much do you really like camping out under the stars. To some people, the novelty of sleeping directly under the clouds or under a tent is refreshing and welcoming. To others, they can only think about how many canisters of bug repellant they’ll have to bring. If camping out without breaking the bank sounds good to you, you might have the personality of a backpacker.

-Do you want to learn self-sufficiency?

Sometimes, you don’t need to be predestined as a backpacker; you can develop those skills by backpacking! Learning self-sufficiency is a great skill, especially to people entering college or the work force. For you youngsters who want a taste of what it will be like to depend on yourself for your livelihood, a simple “one-weekend trial” can be a big step forward.

Do any of these personality types sound like you? If so, consider giving backpacking a try. You’ll enjoy your own cooked food, clear summer nights, and sometimes a more developed relationship with a loved one.

Photo Credits: Mat Honan

How to Break Camp Without Leaving a Mess

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

If you’ve ever been camping, you know that bringing a lot of your civilized comforts out into the woods can be great, but it can also result in a messy campsite when all is said and done. This can be very frustrating, especially if you’re at a campsite that makes you clean your own mess or camping on your own land, in which case you’ll obviously want to keep your land clear. So how do you break camp without leaving a cartoonish pile of debris in your wake? Follow a few simple tips:

First, it starts with preparation. While you’re camping, make sure you have everything compartmentalized. Leave your living essentials in your tent or car, where they’ll be sealed off from the rest of the world. Make sure the fire pit area is separated from the other areas. Have a designated garbage/recycling bag pair handy at all times so that you don’t have to collect garbage at the end of the trip. If you start preparing for a clean campsite the first day you get there, you’ll make things a lot easier on yourself when it’s time to break camp.

While you’re camping, make a mental note of cleaning up everything after yourself, every single time. For example, if you bring out a paper plate to eat a hot dog dinner with, make sure you dispose of all the garbage you have at the end of the meal. If you unpack something, don’t simply leave it out somewhere on the campsite; put it back in its bag if you’re not going to be using it.

If you’re on a campground, there might be a place to dump your greywater. If not, it’s best to use items like biodegradable soap and then dump the greywater away from fresh water sources.

If you’ve followed these instructions, it shouldn’t be very difficult to break camp without a whole lot of work today. Don’t dread the last day of camping – be sure that you’re thinking about your campsite’s “debris mark” throughout the whole trip!

Photo Credits: heymarchetti

Tips for Women: How to Camp Comfortably

Friday, October 28th, 2011

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.

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 Ways to Sleep Like a Baby While Camping

Monday, October 17th, 2011

When most city slickers think about camping, one of their biggest fears is waking up with a back ache thanks to the rocky, hard ground most associated with the outdoors. There’s really no reason to have a bad night’s sleep while camping, even if you want your experience to be “rustic.” If you plan ahead and use a little foresight, you’ll be able to make your bed and sleep in it, too, without simply taking your queen-sized from home and strapping it to the roof of your car. Here are three ways to enjoy a good night’s sleep while you camp.

1. Bring a camping cot. Unlike the type of cot you’d typically associate with a hotel room, a camping cot is a very simple piece of equipment that’s relatively lightweight and easy to put together. You can carry your camping cot on your back and simply unfold it after you’ve put the tent together. Make sure you unfold it inside the tent.

How does a camping cot work? Essentially, it keeps you comfortable by holding you off of the ground, often by a few feet, and having some give to it so that your body doesn’t feel like it’s sleeping on rocks. Bring a pillow and a sleeping bag and you’ll have a warm, dry, comfortable night. (Note: You can also add a pad to the camping cot to make it even softer.)

3. Bring a camping pad. A camping sleeping pad is exactly what it sounds like – a pad that puts a layer of comfort in between you and the ground. This won’t be a perfect solution for everyone, as it can cost a lot of money and won’t necessarily smoothen out every kink in the ground, but it can enhance your experience.

Sleep doesn’t have to be a luxury when you head camping – if you plan for it. Make sure you plan ahead, choose the option that’s right for you, and you’ll be sleeping in a dry tent in your warm camping bed.

Photo Credits: Rob Lee

To RV or to Tent?

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

If you’ve been planning a camping trip and struggling with the question of exactly how much “civilization” to bring with you into the woods, you’re not alone. One of the most crucial questions parents will face when planning a trip into the great outdoors is whether or not they’ll spring for the luxury accommodations of an RV or even a cabin, or embrace the challenge of a more rustic camping experience.

Here is a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

RV:

Advantages: The advantages of an RV are obvious – get a good enough one, and your “camping” trip can still get 200 channels. RV reduces the need to really “settle in” to the wild, while still giving you access to nature since it’s just a few steps away. Many families enjoy getting an RV because of pure convenience, as it allows you to forget the tents and simply get out there and drive.

Disadvantages: Cost. RV’s can be expensive, and there’s always a financial price to pay when it comes to those luxury items you can’t afford to live without. You have to consider the crucial question of “money spent, or convenience lost,” in order to ask yourself if you’re an RV or a tent family.

Tents

Advantages: Many people feel like you aren’t actually camping if you bring your house with you, and an RV does that in a way. The tent experience, however, gives you access to nature itself, letting you build your own site in the woods and living off of the land for a couple of days (or, at the very least, living off of the local convenience store). Tents are also low-cost compared to RVs, even if you acquire tents that do most of their setting up by themselves.

Disadvantages: What you gain in your checkbook, you lose in convenience, as you simply can’t bring a bed with you to your tent. You also can’t have running water or a bathroom, and if you have a lot of kids, this can turn into a problem quickly. Many people are willing to embrace these challenges as part of the “outdoor” experience, but to others, that sounds like a rationalization for being a cheapskate.

Now that you’ve had a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option, it’s time to ask yourself what kind of camper you might be. Remember, there’s only one way to find out if you’re right: try out one of these options!

Photo Credits: blmurch

A Camping Trip the Family Can Enjoy

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

When it comes to camping trips, many people first imagine a fading-fire-filled, mosquito-swatting nature experience that doesn’t feel very natural at all. Especially for parents with families and children to take care of, getting into the Great Outdoors can feel more like a chore than a vacation.

Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you end up enjoying your camping trip, and these ways won’t necessarily cost you more money. Having a fun camping trip that your entire family can enjoy is about following some basic strategies that you won’t have to change your schedule around too much: and you can do many of them at home. Here are some great strategies for having a successful camping trip that everyone in your family enjoys.

First, remember that preparation is key. Doing all of your work up front means that once it comes time for camping, you’re prepared for anything that might head your way. While this is the “boring,” “safe” way to go camping, the way that seems rigid and inflexible, you’ll find that solid preparation is really the key to maintaining flexibility and providing for the ability to pursue a number of options. Does your family notice a chance to go hiking? If you’ve prepared with the right equipment, you’ll be ready.

In particular, pay attention not only to a typical day for yourself, but what a family might need to do while camping. This will depend on the age range of your children, but you should already have a solid grip on what your specific children’s needs will be.

Out of this process, you’ll be able to form a “to-do” or “to-pack” checklist that will ensure you don’t forget anything on vacation day. You’ll not only be more likely to pack everything you’ll need, but you’ll feel more confident and secure when it comes time to leave.

Second, you’ll want to do some solid scouting. Make sure you’re choosing a campsite that isn’t too rustic or adventuresome. You want your family to have a good time, and many times, going the safe route and just letting your kids get a “taste” of nature is all that’s required to create a really authentic experience.

Keep in mind that these two strategies will help you remain flexible in the future: preparation should include preparing for the unexpected, and potential adventures that might come up. Be open-minded about your options and you’ll find out just how successful of a family camper you can be.

Photo Credit: Just-Us-3

Camping Heaters

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Camping is likely one of nature’s most loved activities because it is so exciting. Many claim that camping allows them to become one with nature as the camper completely removes himself from all of the luxuries that are offered today. Stepping away from your own element is all part of the adventure but that is what makes it so fun. People that love to camp approach each new camping trip as an adventure and each trip brings about mounting excitement. Sure, there is a lot to do before heading camping but there are so many items that are offered today that can make living outdoors so much easier but at the same time, it can make packing rather challenging. If you’re not careful you will feel like you are packing to move rather than packing to camp.

If you are not an experienced camper you might have to find out the hard way that regardless of the day time temperatures, the night time offers a whole new perspective on the word chilly. Being cold at night indicates that you are not going to sleep well and that can ruin the best camping trip. To avoid problems such as these always bring along a good camping heater. You will be able to enjoy warmth once the campfire is out for the night. Thousands of campers use these camping heaters and get great relief from them, especially if you have children with you. Getting that chill in your bones can make you feel just achy. These camping heaters are very safe and convenient. Don’t look at them as a luxury but instead something that is high on the priority list.

Likely the biggest camping complaint is being cold and difficulties sleep in those conditions. This then makes camping heaters a necessity because they offer warmth to campers when it is cold. Decide if you want to fuel your heater by gas or propane, but there are some electric heaters which can be convenient in some cases but not so much in others. If you opt for electric make sure that is a feasible option at your campground.

Camping heaters offer comfortable conditions while camping especially at night. Warmth is very important to campers and the heaters provide that warmth just like a toasty campfire will. The heaters can be used for many years as long as they are cared for properly. A camping heater should always be high on the list of priorities for every camping trip.

Photo Credit: v8media