With warmer weather approaching, camping enthusiasts know they have some great times to look forward to. There’s really nothing quite like taking to the outdoors and having a well-planned camping trip. When you’re out in the wilderness, it’s going to be too late to remember things you might have forgotten to do or items you’ve forgotten to take along. Having been waiting for a long time for camping season to start, you definitely don’t want anything to ruin your trip!
Let’s delve right into it and help you get ready for a memorable camping trip that will bring out that scout in you.
Personal health care
Knowing that you’re going to be in the great outdoors exposed to all kinds of insects for a while means you should check your health before embarking on your journey. A standard checkup plus a quick visit to the dentist will put your mind at ease about any health issues you might be having prior to taking your trip, and what kind of precautions you might need to take in case you need medication- it never hurts to be prepared in the event of any kind of medical emergency.
As for your personal hygiene and overall care, it’s actually a great idea to get a haircut or an easy to manage hairdo so that you’re not fussing over it while you’re out in the wild. It’s a given that less is more when it comes to travelling in general, but with camping, it is a necessity. This means not depending on the items you would typically depend on when at home, such as hair products and electrical products.
Find, inventory, and rehab your gear
The first step is to get out all the gear you used on your last camping trip. It’s normal to accumulate a lot of camping gear over the years, so search far and low for smaller gear that you might have misplaced. Checking your gear with fresh eyes after a long winter will help you assess what you have, which has to be differentiated from what you need. You might find you’ve collected half a dozen flashlights over the years, but actually don’t have one good, dependable and sturdy windproof lighter. Whether you’re an old time camper or a newbie, a windproof lighter is an essential tool for camping because winds and heavy breezes make it very difficult to get campfires started when you need one or when you need a lighter for any other reason.
After you’ve checked your gear, make an inventory. You’re bound to discover items that you won’t need, and other things that you DO need, but have gone missing. This is why it’s advisable to make a list of all the essentials, since you could easily forget when just making a mental note. At this point, you’ll also be able to make any necessary alterations to some of your gear that might be rusty or torn, for instance. Other items might require spare parts to be ordered, and you’d certainly want to get a head start on that. Other items might be worn out or damaged beyond repair, which means you would have to replace them. Items made out of material such as tents or mattresses usually have an unpleasant, musty and mildew odor when kept wrapped up, so air them out a few days before packing.
If you’re a total newbie to camping, this means that you’ll need to make a list from scratch. Camping can easily become an expensive hobby to cater to if you’re not careful, thus you might want to make a budget so that you don’t go wild. Of course there are essentials, such as:
As you can see, these are just a few of the suggested essentials you might need. Even expert campers have a checklist that they go through before escaping to the great outdoors. You’re not likely to forget big items such as the sleeping bag, but there are lots of small items that can be easily overlooked, such as scissors or small multi-tools. Pay close attention to the smaller items before the bigger ones. Also note that while it’s normal we take our cell phones everywhere, you might be in some camping areas that don’t have a network, so don’t be too dependent on your phone. Some items, like water bottles, can be used at any time, so they’re an investment. Other items, like a tent, you can rent. If you’re not sure yet if camping is going to be your thing and you’re just trying it out as a start, it would be wise to rent some items instead of purchasing them.
Read more: 5 Handy Tips For Tent Camping
Packing
The way you pack will be influenced by whether you are backpacking or car camping. Obviously, if you’re using a recreational vehicle (RV) or any other type of vehicle, you’ll have more space to pack extra items. What you pack has almost everything to do with the kind of activities you plan to take part in on your trip and how long you plan on camping to begin with. If fishing is what you want to do, then make sure you have all your fishing gear in order. Also, clothes should suit the climate at the time, but make allowances for change of weather, like a sudden rainfall or chilly nights.
Food packing
There’s no one right kind of food to pack, but most people will usually pack enough canned food like beans or soup. They might also stock up on dry foods like nuts, granola bars, etc. If you’re camping in a RV, you’ll have the luxury of packing food that can be cooked later, such as eggs as well as freeze dried food, or fruit and vegetables. You could bring along your own kitchen utensils, or decide to purchase utensils such as pots, pans or cups that are made specifically for camping; these utensils are light and easy to wash. You can bring along a portable spice rack, and prepare beforehand some food at home. You might also want to place all kitchen supplies in a large, clear tote bag. This makes things more organized and easy for you to spot what you need.
The items mentioned are mainly suggestions to make your trip comfortable and practical. Other items could include a high quality knife which comes in handy for some camping tasks like cutting rope. Airtight food containers are also another suggestion which trap food smells keeping away insects or animals from your food.