Let's Go Camping

When gathering your personal camping gear together, ask the question "What do I really need?" The list of items will vary slightly based on seasonal conditions and the duration of the camping trip. For the most part personal camping gear will be the same because of the basic needs of sleep, food, and personal hygiene.

The first thing for a good camping experience is sleeping well. You'll be tired at the end of a hard day on the trails and setting up camp, so you will want a good night's rest. To achieve this you will need to be warm and comfortable. For warmth bring a good sleeping bag. For comfort you can use a lightweight air mattress or you can fill large trash bags with leaves and grass. It is important if sleeping on the ground to use a plastic sheet ground cover for insulation from moisture. Cots can also be used, but for me it's not the same as sleeping on the ground. Don't forget to bring something warm and lightweight to sleep in.

You'll want to be clean so personal hygiene items are important. You might want to take along soap, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush, etc. If you're camping for several days, you'd better have some extra underwear and socks.

You'll want to eat, no doubt, so take along a mess kit. A mess kit usually consists of a knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup and bowl.

You will also want to be prepared when camping. Keep in mind that cloths snag and tear and socks wear so bring a small sewing kit with needles and thread, safety pins, buttons and a spare pair of shoelaces. Other items will include a flashlight, pocket knife and a small individual supply of toilet paper. A checklist of personal camping gear has been provided.

Backpack
Pocket knife
Sleeping bag
Sewing kit (small)
Air mattress Safety pins & Needles
Ground cover sheet
Individual toilet paper
Sweater or jacket
Flashlight
Poncho
Canteen
Extra cloths, socks and underwear
Waterproof matches
Sleepwear
Watch
Swim trunks
Compass & Map
Mess kit
Pen and Pencil
Soap in container
Camera
Washcloth
Wallet
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Drinking bottle
Comb
Metal mirror
Hand towels

When I think of camping I think about sleeping in a tent. It's not necessarily under the stars, but it's not in a camper trailer or RV which is not camping to me. To get the tent that is right for you, think ahead.

There are several things to consider when shopping for a tent: the time of year you'll be camping, staying dry, and how easy will it be to setup and take down. Other things to consider are tent size and ventilation.

Typically there are three types or classifications of tents; 4-season tents for extreme cold weather, 3-season tents for all climates except extreme cold weather, and all-season tents for year round use. However, I wouldn't use an All-season tent in extreme cold weather the 4-season tent is still better for that.

I would recommend a smaller 2 person 3-season dome tent if you like hiking and a larger version for family camping. All-season tents are typically your larger car, cabin or family tents.

It is also very important to stay dry when camping. I remember the old canvas tents that required an additional water resistant cover when it rained, which inhibited ventilation. Also they many times required a separate ground cover which acted as a moisture barrier between you and the ground.

With today's technology and that of recent years, tents now are made of water resistant materials with water resistant coatings and many have sewn in bottoms eliminating the need for a separate ground cover. Some of the newer tents have rain flys that still allow for ventilation when it rains. Your tent should be well-ventilated. A good tent has meshed covered openings on all sides; these insure good air flow through the tent and at the same time keep annoying insects out.

Finally, the easiest tents to pitch are the dome and A-frame type. You'll want to get your tent up quickly, especially when it is rainy and dark. You also want a tent that is easily taken down and compactly stowed.





Emerald Mountain SL 3 Person Tent





Stretch Dome Tent

When you go camping you want to camp on the perfect campsite. What makes a campsite perfect you ask? Here's what to look for on your quest for the perfect campsite:

First you want to make sure you are not camping in or on a restricted area. If its private property make sure you have permission to camp there. The perfect campsite is fairly open, elevated enough to avoid any possible morning fog that may rise from any neighboring rivers or lakes. The land should gently slope so that rain water drains easily, yet be level enough for comfortable sleeping. The ideal camping surface is low grass covered dirt. Avoid clay, because the grass that covers it will wear away quickly and will turn to mud when it rains. Because it gets everywhere, stay off of loose sand. Stay away from heavy vegetation of grass or brush; this indicates possible damp ground, mosquitoes and poison ivy.

Your perfect campsite will have shelter from the prevailing winds. Choose a site with trees and shrubs to the west and north. This way your tent will be exposed to the sun during the early morning. Never set your tent up directly under a tree, you run the risk of dead branches crashing down on you. Also after a good rain, trees continue to drip for hours afterwards.

There should be water for drinking within a reasonable distance and if possible water for bathing.

You'll want a camp fire, so make sure there is an ample supply of wood available for fuel.

Above all your camp should be safe. Never camp in a gully, it can flood easily when it rains. Avoid camping under an overhanging cliff; you never know when there could be a rock slide. Do not camp in a forest if the area has been subjected to drought conditions.

The perfect campsite is not easy to find all the time. There are areas of the country and countryside where only a few of the good points mentioned are available. But keep an eye out, you never know when you might come across your perfect campsite when out hiking, backpacking or touring.

With so many details to think about, it will pay to write down your camping plans on a piece of paper. Make a list of equipment, supplies and clothing you intend to take along. Also write down your menu and generate your shopping list for meals. It is a good idea to put together a rough camping schedule; when you plan to head out, when you'll stop to rest if hiking and when you plan to head back home. It is also a very good idea to let someone know your schedule and when to expect you back home.

Here is a list of items you will need and some suggested items.

Two person tent
Hatchet or Ax
Camp shovel
Repair kit
Mill file for ax sharpening
Sharpening stone
Twine
Rope
First Aid kit
Electric Lantern
Cooking Utensils
Pots and pans
Food canisters
Can opener
Potato peeler
Large fork and spoon
Ladle
Spatula
Measuring cup
Matches in waterproof container
Plastic bags in various sizes
Aluminum foil
Paper towels
Water pails
Plastic sheet
Sponge
Scouring pads
Cleaning cloth

Once you have come to a site suitable for camping the first thing to do is stroll over the campsite. During this time determine the most effective way of setting up camp. If you're camping in a group, divide the work load up evenly among each camper. An example; someone can set up the tent(s), prepare the beds or dig the latrine. Others can gather firewood, build the camp fire, get water, lay out the cooking utensils, cook and serve the food. Remember it will be a more enjoyable camp if everyone carries their weight. Of course if you're camping alone, all the tasks will be on you. Always think safety when setting up camp and using hand tools such as a hatchet, knife and hammer.

There are three groups or classifications of camping foods: one, fresh milk and meat are required to be kept cold to prevent them from spoiling; two, fresh vegetables, fruit, butter, bacon and smoked ham, which need to be kept cool; three, canned and dried meat that can be kept at ambient temperature. The first two groups should be kept in some kind of refrigeration.

A brook or stream can be used to keep food cool by placing the food in a large covered cooling pot and placing it in the cool running water. If a brook or stream is not available you can dig a 3 foot square 3 foot deep hole in the ground and line it with stones. Place the food in the hole and cover it with a wooden cover heavy and sturdy enough to keep prowling animals from getting to it.

If the weather is very hot arrange to get ice for your refrigerator. If you can't obtain any ice, you'll be better off leaving the fresh milk and meat at home. Use canned meat and powdered milk instead.

Keep stored water for cooking and drinking in a covered container; this protects it from animals, insects and dirt.

Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food

It is wise to have water available near to your tent(s) in the event that the camp fire gets out of hand. Water can be stored in a pot for this purpose. Remember, safety first around fire.

Burnable garbage can be dried and burned in the camp fire, this will keep insects and animals from getting to it. Wash out empty tin cans and smash them flat. Wash out bottles and jars. Be a good camper and take these items with you and dispose of them properly in recyclable bins. Greasy dishwater thrown on the ground draws flies. It is a good idea to dig a pit the same size as your pot and cover it with a layer of dry grass. The dry grass acts like a filter when you pour the greasy water through it into the pit. Burn the grass after each use and cover with new grass. Remember to fill the pit back in when breaking camp.

The good camper leaves the campsite in a better condition than he or she found it. To accomplish this, check these points:

Scatter any leaves or grass that was used for camp beds.

Fill in all ditches and holes and replace sod dug up.

Burn all garbage and place cans, bottles and jars in a trash bag to dispose properly.

Make positively sure that the camp fire is dead out.

You take a lot with you when you leave your camp: fun memories, learning experiences and sometimes newly-made friends. The only things you should leave are a campsite in better shape than you found it and thanks to whoever made the camp possible.