- Personal gear. Pack your gear in a soft duffel bag or backpack. Take what you need—and no more! Stow gear in your tent and keep it tidy. Check the weather before leaving, and be sure to bring the proper clothing.
- Stay level and safe. Choose a level spot for pitching your tent. Make sure there are no signs of little streams running through your tent site from previous rainstorms. Check overhead to confirm there are no dead trees or large branches that can fall on your site.
- Cooking gear. The biggest mistake some campers make is bringing the kitchen sink. All you need is a portable camp kitchen that holds enough gear for a family of two to six. Like the personal gear, take what you need and no more!
- Plan your meals. If you have a camp kitchen or a makeshift set-up on a table, plan your meals around the cooking gear you are going to use. Only refrigerate items that require it. Try to use as many fresh foods that don’t require refrigeration as you can in your menu.
- Keep dry or in the shade. A dining fly or “Easy-up” is quite handy. If it rains, your area is protected; if there is a lot of direct sun, you can enjoy shade. It’s also a great place to put your kitchen.
- Kitchen hang-out. Just like at home, the kitchen is a hangout for socializing. Keep it neat with the coffee pot on.
- Manage your trash. It accumulates quickly. Bring heavy-duty trash bags. A collapsible trash container with the trash bag works great. If you are in a place with campfires, burn all of the paper goods (not plastics).
- Clean your room. Remember what your mother said, “You can’t go out until you clean your room.” Keep your tent tidy and organized so when it’s time to “hit the sack,” you can jump right in.
- Fires and firewood. Know the campfire regulations for your campsite. In heavily used areas, gathering wood is not permitted, so you may need to bring your own.
- Camping is a time to relax. Enjoy the natural environment—and keep it enjoyable for the next camper to follow. Be courteous and don’t trash your campsite.
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Archive for Camping Tips – Page 2
Camping with kids for the first time can make any parent feel worried and a little unsure. Make the experience as enjoyable as possible for both you and your kids by following these five tips:
1. Do a practice run
If your kids have never been camping before, it’s a good idea to spend a night “camping” in your backyard. That way your kids can get a taste of what’s to come, and you’ll have a better idea of how they handle sleeping in a tent or camper.
2. Start small
You might prefer to camp in the wilderness with no running water, but a child may be most at ease camping in a more developed area. Start at a campground close to home with toilets and running water. You want to ease kids into the camping experience—not scare them away from it.
3. Get the kids involved
Letting your kids be involved in the planning process will help build their excitement and make them feel more comfortable with the overall camping experience. Have them help you plan out meals and let them pack their own bags. It will make them more aware of the responsibilities that come with camping so they’re prepared in the future.
4. Establish camp rules
Kids should have fun while camping, but it also important that they stay safe. Set up boundaries so they know where it is okay to roam while unsupervised and which areas are off-limits. You can also create a buddy system. If your kids wants to go off by themselves, they should always tell an adult first.
5. Plan activities
If your kids are used to being entertained by televisions, cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices, they might feel lost without technology. Plan fun activities though like hiking, swimming, and games to help your kids forget about their video games!
Camping with kids takes a little more work and planning, but the cherished memories you’ll create together make the extra effort worth it.
For more information on how to camp, check out our other posts:
The whole family is packed and ready for a week of camping fun. But what are you actually going to do once you arrive at the campground? Be prepared come rain or shine with these fun camping activities in your back pocket.
Active
- Hiking: A long hike is the perfect opportunity to bond with friends or family while enjoying lush natural landscapes.
- Swimming: When the sun is shining and the weather is hot, cool down by spending a few hours swimming in the lake.
- Capture the Flag, Ultimate Frisbee, or Sand Volleyball: Any game that gets you moving will work, but these are popular choices for camping.
Leisure
- Fishing: Even if you don’t catch a single fish, going fishing is a great way to relish peace and quiet.
- Floating: Tired of swimming? Grab a tube and enjoy the water without the work.
- Lying on the beach: On the beach, you can read a book or just sit and relax. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
Rainy days
- Card games: Cards offer variety, so when you get sick of playing one game, simply switch to another.
- Reading: Use a rainy day as an opportunity to finally start that book you’ve been meaning to read.
- Crafting: Do you like to draw or knit? Bring your supplies with you in case of bad weather.
Nighttime
- Storytelling: While everyone is sitting around the campfire and roasting marshmallows, have people share a scary ghost story.
- Catching fireflies: Are you fast enough to catch a firefly? Wait until the sun goes down and then find out!
- Late-night swim: Night swimming offers a totally different experience from a daytime swim. Take the necessary precautions and always bring a buddy.
A camping trip should never be boring. Keep a few activities in mind for every occasion and make your camping trip a success!
For more information on how to camp, check out our other posts:
When it comes to camping, preparation is a necessity. To help you pack for your big trip, we’ve compiled a camping checklist full of must-have items you won’t want to forget. Bear in mind these items will differ depending on factors like the season or number of people going, so make adjustments accordingly.
Clothing
When packing clothes, keep comfort and protection in mind. While you may enjoy wearing flip-flops at the beach, you will definitely want a pair of tennis shoes for hikes or long walks.
Essential clothing items include:
- Tennis shoes/hiking boots
- Sandals
- Jeans
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks (bring extra)
- Sun hat
- Sweatshirt/jacket
- Rain jacket
- Underwear (bring extra)
- Swimsuit
- Towels
Cooking
Instead of just packing a bunch of food and hoping for the best, plan out your meals beforehand. That way, you will know exactly which ingredients and supplies to pack.
Cooking items you will want to bring include:
- Water
- Ingredients and food to make all of the meals you planned
- Cooking supplies you will need to make your meals (stove, pots, etc.)
- Portable countertop/storage cabinets (My Camp Kitchen offers portable kitchens to keep your cooking supplies organized)
- Plates, utensils, cups, and napkins
- Firewood
- Charcoal
- Marshmallow sticks
- Coolers and ice
- Garbage bags
Personal Items
While you might not get to enjoy the luxuries of everyday life, you still want to bring the basic necessities to make your trip a pleasant one.
Personal items you might want to consider packing include:
- Sunscreen
- First-aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Personal medications
- Phone
- Flashlight/lantern
- Activity items (fishing poles, games, etc.)
- Tools
Bedding
Are you sleeping in a camper, or do you plan to stay in a tent? Make sure you’re adequately prepared to sleep comfortably no matter what type of shelter you’re planning to camp in.
Items you could bring include:
- Sleeping bag
- Sheets
- Blankets/comforters
- Pillows
- Air mattress and air pump
Navigation
It’s easy to get lost when you’re camping in unfamiliar territory.
Make sure to include these items when you pack:
- GPS
- Compass
- Map
Be prepared for anything on your next camping trip. Packing the necessities will ensure a much smoother and more enjoyable time for everyone!
For more information on how to camp, check out our other posts:
Swimming in the lake, roasting marshmallows, playing games—what’s not to love about camping? Camping can be ridiculously fun and is a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. To enjoy your trip as much as possible, you should carefully prepare beforehand. If you’re new to camping and aren’t sure how to plan for your camping trip, here are five basic how-to-camp tips that will help make your adventure stress-free.
1. Bring a first-aid kit
Whether you’re out in the middle of nowhere or spending time in a nice, familiar campground, you will want to bring a first-aid kit. Some of the items you should include are prescriptions, Band-Aids, aspirin, antiseptic creams, ointments, sterile wipes, rinse solutions, tweezers, and scissors.
2. Plan activities
More than likely, you’ll have plenty of free time on your camping trip. Fill up those hours where you have nothing planned with a fun game or group activity! Cards are perfect because they don’t take up a lot of space and you can use them to play a variety of different games. Other activities you might consider include swimming, hiking, and canoeing.
3. Pack lightly
People tend to overpack, thinking they are playing it safe. They regret that decision once their camper feels way too crowded. Pack only the essentials, but make sure you are prepared for both warm days and cold nights.
4. Plan out each meal
Planning meals ahead of time will prevent you from running out of food or packing too much. Take into account that some people on your trip may want seconds or even thirds.
5. Always pack bug spray and sunscreen
Out of all the miscellaneous items you pack for your camping trip, you’ll be most grateful for your bug spray and sunscreen. Find a bug spray that contains 20 percent or more DEET and be sure your sunscreen has at least 30 SPF.
Being prepared is an essential part of camping. Follow these five camping tips and make your trip an experience you’ll cherish forever!
For more information on how to camp, check out our other posts:
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