I’ve been an avid camper and outdoorsman for over twenty years. Time and time again I’ve heard people say things like, “My friend invited me camping and I want to pull my weight. What should I know?” If you’ve ever faced this situation, then this article is for you.
While it’s nearly impossible to cover every camping-related topic, this article should shed light on several important aspects. Experienced campers probably already know most of subjects covered here, but if you’re new to camping, this article is for you!
1. First Aid
This seems like a no-brainer, but lots of people simply don’t think about anything going wrong while they’re on vacation. Couple that with the fact that you’ll be out in the wilderness, potentially miles from the nearest other person, and you can see where a first aid kit is absolutely essential. You can buy a basic kit from a camping supply or big-box store, or you can make your own.
There are multiple locations online that can supply detailed lists of what you’ll need in your kit, but a few of the basics include: Cell phone, adhesive bandages, hand cleanser, gloves, tweezers, pain relief tablets, gauze bandages, medical tape, antibacterial ointment, mylar space blanket, small flashlight with spare batteries and a sharp pocket knife. Sunscreen and bug spray are a must and make sure to bring any prescription medication you may need as well.
2. Make sure you know where you are
Do research on the area(s) you plan to camp. Check online for reviews and information about the area. A compass and a topographic map are indispensable in terms of knowing where are you and figuring out where you’re going.
It’s important to understand how your compass works, otherwise it does you no good. Spend some time reading the instructions that came with your compass. You can use your compass with or without a map.
If you don’t use a map, you will still have a general idea of the direction you’re headed. If you use it with a map, you’ll be able to better pinpoint your current location in relation to your destination. A topographic map will give you a detailed idea of the landscape of your surroundings, allowing you to plan your route accordingly.
Fatigue can lead to poor decision-making. If you think you’re lost, sit down and have a drink or a bit of food to give you some energy. If possible, rest and then reassess the situation before making decisions about your next move.
3. Finding a campsite
If you’re camping anywhere other than a commercial camping ground, you’ll want to carefully select your campsite. This is another area the research on the area you’re camping in will come in handy. Be sure to know what the rules are for the area before you get there.
You’ll generally want to be near water and near a trail, but out of sight of other hikers/campers. Try to stay around at least 200 feet from the trail as well as from your water source. Look for a windbreak as well as trees to provide shade if you’re camping in the summer.
Another thing to keep in mind is rain. When you set up your tent look for high ground but be wary of a completely flat surface. A slight incline will help water move away from your tent. Be sure your tent has proper ventilation. Moisture and closed up spaces do not make for a comfortable camping experience.
This just gives you a general idea of what to look for in a campsite for Spring through Fall camping. Winter camping may require more extensive campsite planning.
4. Stay Warm & Dry
This simple tip can help keep you warm on those cool evenings out in the wild. Bring or gather large stones to ring your fire pit. The heat from the fire will warm the stones, which will stay warm long after the fire has burned down. You won’t have to wake up quite so often to feed the fire if you have stones to keep you warm.
I can’t stress enough the importance of dry socks and underwear! Not only is it incredibly uncomfortable if either of these items of clothing get wet, but it could also put your health at risk. Though you probably, hopefully, won’t be wearing wet socks long enough to experience something like Trench Foot, the risk is there.
Additionally, fungus likes to grow in moist, warm conditions, so be sure to bring extra socks and underwear and change either when they get wet. Again, plastic ziplock bags are excellent for keeping your extra underthings dry.
5. Meal Planning
A meal plan can be a beneficial tool when camping. It will help you realize what you need and how much you need of it before you ever leave the house. First you should make a menu of what you will have for each meal, including snacks. Then list the quantity of each ingredient necessary.
Knowing what you’re going to eat after a long day of hiking or swimming will really make your whole trip more enjoyable. Be sure to take into consideration the fact that you may be expending extra calories on these activities, too, so plan your meals accordingly.
You should also be sure to pack a little extra food and water. You never know when something could go wrong and you don’t want to be left in the wilderness without food.
6. Kitchen Bin
A light-weight, plastic bin can be a great storage container for your kitchen supplies. In addition to your pots, pans, utensils and food, make sure you bring condiments and spices. You can leave the bin packed when you get home from camping and just double-check and resupply when it’s time to head out into the wilderness next time.
Make sure everything is clean and sealed when you stow it between trips. Reusable dishes and silverware weigh a little more, but they cut down on camp trash. Don’t forget the trash bags! Leave nothing in your campsite that wasn’t already there.
If you’re camping in an area with bears or raccoons nearby, you can use a kevlar bear sack to hang your food items in a tree. Actually, you’ll want to hang up anything that smells remotely foodlike. Raccoons aren’t that discerning when it comes to food.
7. Cooking Methods
A couple of fairly easy cooking methods for campers include direct heat and hot coals. With direct heat you’re using the flames of your campfire to cook your food. This is for food like hot dogs or marshmallows on the end of a stick all the way up to a cast iron frying pan or pot of water. In my opinion, the best use of direct heat is for boiling water and using it to rehydrate food. Dehydrated food is much lighter to haul around, especially if you’re moving campsites often while hiking.
Coal cooking has its merits as well. You can wrap a potato in aluminum foil and toss it on the coals for a simple, tasty meal. There are numerous camping cookbooks, so I won’t go into extreme detail here. I will say, however, that one of my favorite foods as a kid-camper was an orange half filled with chocolate cake. With a little research and planning you can find plenty of similar foods that you and your family or friends will enjoy and build fond memories around.
8. Activities
There’s plenty to be said for sitting out in the woods and being one with nature. But not everyone wants to do that all week, or even for an entire weekend.
Make sure you plan some activities for your camping trip. You can go on a picture hike, have a picnic, go bird-watching, go fishing, or practice your gourmet campfire cooking skills.
Rainy day activities are also a good idea. Cards, books, board games, etc. can make the difference between a fun afternoon in the tent and a miserable one.
9. Small Comforts
Not everyone wants to “rough it” while camping and that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has different ideas about what camping is and what makes it fun. Here are some ideas to bring a little of home with you to the great outdoors, if that’s what you want to do. Just remember to be considerate of your fellow campers if you’re in a commercial campground, and don’t use electronics in such a way that they may intrude on the camping experience of others. Be a good neighbor!
Cell Phone
First is your cell phone. Not only is this a safety issue, but many people use it as a primary camera – I know I do. I would be very upset if my battery died right before I got the perfect nature shot. There are several solar chargers available that can help keep your phone (or other small electronics) going.
Coffee
Instant coffee is always the easy route and a certain popular coffee shop has handy little packets that you can add to hot water for instant flavored goodness.
If you want to go the do-it-yourself route, you can take a small coffee filter and add about two tablespoons of your favorite ground coffee from home to the filter and tie it up with a bit of string or floss. When you’re in camp, just add a coffee bundle to a cup of hot water and let it sit until it reaches your desired strength. Store it in a ziplock bag until you’re ready to use.
10. Odds & Ends
Here are a few items that don’t necessarily fit into the other topics I’ve already covered. These are items that can make your camping life easier. First is duct tape – a valuable tool for making repairs to your camp. If you don’t want to carry around a whole roll of it, you can break a dowel or pencil and wrap a long length of tape around it to make several mini rolls.
A sharp, fixed-blade knife with a sheath has a myriad of uses in the wild from first aid to cooking to clearing your camp or even self defense. A folding knife is lighter and more portable, but not quite as strong as a fixed-blade.
A headlamp can make your life much easier while camping or even at home. Not only is it useful to see your way in the dark, but you can slap it on a jug of water for an instant lantern.
Bring extra matches, socks and underwear in a ziplock bag. Seriously. They will take up a little extra room, but you’ll probably be glad to have them if you need them. Another item you don’t want to run out of is toilet paper or biodegradable moist wipes. And as distasteful as it may be – bag up the toilet paper and take it with you when you go.