Tips for Successful Summer Camping
In slimmer economic times, you may be planning a camping trip and visit to U.S. national parks. If you plan to stake your vacation time in the great outdoors, you'll want to practice pitching your temporary residence: a tent. You will want to set it up and take it down a few times in your own yard. You will also want to double-check cooking and convenience items on your outing such as your camp stove, lanterns and air mattresses for sleeping to make sure they're functioning. As you pack, here's a suggested list of things to bring with you:
Choosing a Tent
You will want to select a tent that will fit your family or friends comfortably inside. Make sure that your tent has plenty of mesh panels for ventilation, especially at the top so that hot air can escape easily. Check to see that your tent has a well-constructed rain fly that covers the entire tent and has plenty of tie-down grommets or loops. In a major thunderstorm you'll want to secure the rain fly and keep it from touching the tent walls. However, if your tent doesn't come with a ground cover, you can make your own with a floor layer of plastic tarp that matches the footprint of the tent to avoid collecting rain water during a storm.
Comforts of Home
A few amenities and conveniences can make your camping experience more enjoyable. However, it's a good idea to leave loud, electronic devices in the home and keep your camping trip simple. Nothing can ruin the peace and calm of nature more than blasting a stereo through the campground or using too many high-intensity lanterns that overpower a camp fire's warm glow.
A successful summer camping trip is based on staying comfortable in all kinds of weather conditions. It's a little like being a pioneer. This may mean: adapting to chilly nights or 100 degree-humid days or adjusting to tent life during days of rainfall. Bring the right clothing, rain gear and footwear, repellants and sunscreen as well as that deck of cards and telling campfire stories can help you have fun no matter what the conditions.
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- First Aid kit
- Biodegradable hand soap
- Head lamp, lanterns and extra batteries
- Reading material, music for your MP3 player or iPod, and board games or playing cards
- Portable weather radio
- Rain gear
- Sturdy, comfortable boots for hiking
- Camping, cooking & dining utensils
- Multi-tool utility knife
- Optional fishing gear and current fishing license
- Firewood (don't chop down surrounding trees)
- Folding canvas camp chairs
Choosing a Tent
You will want to select a tent that will fit your family or friends comfortably inside. Make sure that your tent has plenty of mesh panels for ventilation, especially at the top so that hot air can escape easily. Check to see that your tent has a well-constructed rain fly that covers the entire tent and has plenty of tie-down grommets or loops. In a major thunderstorm you'll want to secure the rain fly and keep it from touching the tent walls. However, if your tent doesn't come with a ground cover, you can make your own with a floor layer of plastic tarp that matches the footprint of the tent to avoid collecting rain water during a storm.
Comforts of Home
A few amenities and conveniences can make your camping experience more enjoyable. However, it's a good idea to leave loud, electronic devices in the home and keep your camping trip simple. Nothing can ruin the peace and calm of nature more than blasting a stereo through the campground or using too many high-intensity lanterns that overpower a camp fire's warm glow.
A successful summer camping trip is based on staying comfortable in all kinds of weather conditions. It's a little like being a pioneer. This may mean: adapting to chilly nights or 100 degree-humid days or adjusting to tent life during days of rainfall. Bring the right clothing, rain gear and footwear, repellants and sunscreen as well as that deck of cards and telling campfire stories can help you have fun no matter what the conditions.