Summer’s here and it’s time to go camping! Camping is fun for everyone but if you don’t prepare then a great weekend can turn sour in a flash. Have a look at our checklist and make sure that you have all that you need for a great camping experience.
First, you’ll need a good tent. There are two things that you need to be mindful of when you go shopping for a tent - the size of the tent and how easy it is to set up. Many tents can be a nightmare to put up, and you can easily waste a good chunk of your camping trip trying to get the tent set up properly. Find a tent that’s easy to put up simple to assemble and is just big enough for you and whoever else will be sharing it with you. Many people take a regular sized tent to sleep in and a much smaller tent to use to keep their food safe.
Next you need to be ready for inclement weather. Sunblock is a must, as is bug repellant. Nothing can ruin your trip faster than a nasty sunburn or a back covered in mosquito bites. Look for outdoors and active varieties of both of these products. Sunscreen needs to be strong and you need to make sure that you remember to re-apply it throughout the day.
Of course you are going to bring food with you, so you will need a good cooler. Make sure you get a cooler that is large enough to hold all of your food plus enough ice to last the weekend. If you’re going out for more than just a few days you will need to get one of the 5 day or 7 day coolers which are well insulated and will keep your food and drinks cool for almost a full week. If you’re going to be out on a boat for the majority of your trip you may want to get a marine cooler instead of a camping cooler.
You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of food for the whole trip. Don’t bring along food that spoils easily like milk unless you have a nice cooler and plenty of ice. Bacon and eggs carry well and both are delicious on a dewy morning in the woods. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks and plenty to drink as you will get hungry and dehydrated quickly while stomping around in the woods.
Finally, make sure you have all the basic survival tools such as a flashlight, pocket knife, some extra string or rope, a good first aid kit, and some way to keep in touch with the outside world. Make sure that someone who is not on the trip with you knows where you are and when you are expected to return. Don’t start any fires until you have double checked for a burn ban and be sure to follow any rules regarding alcohol or noise if you are staying in a park.
Camping is fun and rewarding for the whole family. Make sure that you are prepared to stay comfortable and hydrated for the entire trip and make sure that you have all the tools that you need to handle any unexpected situations that may arise. A few extra minutes packing and checking the right camping equipment can prevent your trip from being ruined.