R
U Camp Ready?
TIPS & TRICKS from
CAMP READY UNIVERSITY
Every year the seasons seem to change
faster and faster. And, in keeping with annual Spring traditions,
I’m sure you too have experienced the “first
camp trip of the year” packing headaches. I can never
remember where I’ve stored my tent and usually one
of my sleeping bags has come up missing.
It’s been a
long, cold winter and we are already thinking about camping
(actually we never stop thinking about it) and
so we decided to offer some tips and ideas to get you ready
for the impending summer camping season.
GET CAMP READY 101
One of the best ways to get “camp ready” is to
get your gear out before you go camping and inspect it. Start
by spreading everything out on the lawn or some other large
area. Set up your tent and make sure your rain fly, tent
stakes and poles are all there and that they don’t have
any holes, rips, or breaks.
Now, pull out your sleeping bag
and let it air out in the
sun. Airing out a sleeping bag is a great idea anytime
you come
back from the hills. This will help your sleeping bag last
much longer, especially if it’s a down sleeping bag.
While asleep, your body releases a lot of condensation
into the sleeping bag. If you don’t let it air out,
there is a good chance you will end up with mold or mildew
inside
the insulation.
Next, take your backpack and try it on to
make sure the pack still fits comfortably. If you have
backpacks for
kids or
anyone that has been sprouting up, make sure their packs
still fit
correctly. If a backpack doesn’t fit, you’ll
know a few minutes into the hike and it will certainly
ruin your
trip.
Be sure to blow the dust off your favorite stove.
Start up the unit to make sure that nothing has built its
home
inside
the burners (this would only apply to larger propane stoves,
but still make sure the gas flows well on your little backpacking
stoves too). Also, make sure if you have been storing any
gas over the winter that it hasn’t gone bad or gotten
dirty.
These items are the most important things to check
up on because if any of them go bad while you’re
out camping, you’ll
be surrounded by a group of unhappy campers. Other camping
tools to check include flashlights, hiking boots, pocket
knives, and cooking utensils.
CAMPING MUSTS 201
We would like to offer you a list of
things that are a must for any camping outing. Let this list
serve as a
checklist when you start packing up for your first trip.
- Tents
- Remember to match the people with floor space; take
two tents when in doubt. If you don’t have a tent
footprint make sure to grab a tarp, which will
help keep you drier and keep the tent in better shape.
- Sleeping Bags
- Always remember to give your warmest sleeping
bags to the ladies in the group. A female-specific sleeping
bag is actually designed to keep women warmer by adding insulation in places
that normally freeze on women, such as the feet area.
- Sleeping Pad
- Cooking Stove
- Select a small, medium or large unit, depends
on the outing type and group size.
- Pots, Pans, Cups, Can Opener, Utensils, and Measuring devices
- Hiking Boots and Quality Socks
- Avoid 100% cotton at all costs; find material
that has polyester or nylon to help wick away moisture.
- Food Containers and Coolers
- Flashlights, Headlamps, Lighter, and Matches
- Lighters are much easier to use when lighting fires, but water-proof matches
are a must. Oh, and make sure to throw in a few extra batteries.
- First-Aid Kit
- Be sure to take along a first-aid kit that
includes all the key items you might need.
- Toiletries
- You can never take too much of this stuff. Make
sure to take a toothbrush, it will keep your fellow
tent mates happy with you. Also, look for biodegradable
soaps to keep Mother Nature happy.
- Clothing for All-Seasons
- It always seems that if you don’t
pack it, you need it. I’m not saying to pack your
down jacket in July but don’t trust the weather
man that it’s going to be a sunny
weekend and leave your rain gear at home.
- Pocket Knife, Axe, and other cutting items as needed
- Most camping areas will not allow you to cut area wood. Be sure to pack
in wood for your campfires. If fires or charcoal are not allowed, bring along
a portable propane campfire, such as the FR-15 stove accessory
or self-contained GC-LOG.
- Water Filters
- Radios, GPS, Compass …etc.
- Any Electronic Devices that will aid you in keeping in contact with your group.
- Fun Items
- Deck of Cards, Frisbee, Outdoor Games, Binoculars, Kite…etc.
GRADUATION
These are just few of our ideas for getting you “Camp
Ready.” Please stop by the forum
and share some of your ideas on other things you think are musts on any camp out – plus leave us
your favorite places to go camping.
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