camping 101
DESCRIPTION
Learning a bit about camping.TRANSCRIPT
Are you wanting to try your hand at hiking and camping?
Are you wanting to try your hand at hiking and camping? Does the
sound of the great outdoors, the smell of fresh air, the smell and
sound of a campfire under the stars sound appealing to you? Will
this be your first camping trip? Well then maybe this article can
be of some useful information.
First of all, one of the most important things to do before
planning your camping or hiking trip is to let someone know at home
or at work details of where you plan to camp or hike, how long you
will be gone and any other details about your trip that you can
leave that will be helpful in the event of an emergency or you fail
to return when you said you would.
So now plan your trip. Where will you go? How do you learn about
the area you plan to hike and camp into? Where can I get a map?
Make sure you get a map for the area you plan to hike or camp in.
Most U.S. Forestry Centers carry free maps of wilderness areas. You
can also find maps online and at most outdoor stores. You will also
want to check the weather of your camping location and plan
accordingly.
So what will I need? What kind of equipment will you need?
Camping requires equipment, and the basic equipment is the same for
seasoned experts or those just starting out. While there is plenty
of high-quality camping equipment to make your stay outdoors a lot
more comfortable, most of these items aren't necessary, especially
for beginners. Choose good quality equipment, but don't blow your
budget buying the most expensive gear. Remember that costly doesn't
always mean top quality.
Here is some basic gear you'll need for your trip:
Tents: Decide how many people will be sleeping in one tent. You may
want to have one tent for adults and one for children if you will
be camping with the whole family. For a more comfortable
arrangement, purchase a tent that will hold two more people than
the number you expect to have sleeping inside. See my Article on
camping tents for more information.
Sleeping bags: Sleeping bags are graded for temperature and come in
different shapes and sizes. Choose sleeping bags that are
appropriate for the season and that have a comfortable size. See my
Article on tents and sleeping bags for more information on these
pieces of camping gear.
Cooking and meal equipment: A small, portable propane stove is very
handy and makes mealtime as easy as if you were cooking in your own
kitchen. You can also purchase a barbecue or find a stove that has
both burners and grill. Choose washable dishes and utensils to be
environmentally conscious. Don't forget two plastic bins for
washing up!
Coolers and food storage: Choose coolers big enough to allow for
blocks of ice. It's a good idea to have two separate coolers in
different sizes as well, one for frozen foods and one for
refrigerated foods. Select coolers with a snap-lock lid and
handles. Purchase plastic bins to hold food that doesn't require
refrigeration.
Luggage: The best luggage for camping is a cloth bag like as a
hockey bag. Stiff-sided luggage doesn't hold as much clothing and
takes up space.
Extras: Buy two tarps - one to use as a ground sheet underneath
your tent and one to shelter the tent in the case of rain. Bring
some rope for a makeshift clothesline. A nighttime lantern is
always handy, especially for trips to the bathroom. You'll also
need a basic survival kit, a cell phone, and a flashlight in case
of emergencies. If you're going on a trip that lasts more than two
nights and three days, bring biodegradable soap and shampoo.
When considering extra items to bring, try to think of functional
items that fit your lifestyle like as sunscreen, bug spray, a pair
of extra sandals, and a doormat for entry to your tent. Browse the
aisles of the sporting goods section to determine what other items
would be good to bring along.
Don't get caught up with gadgets and unnecessary items. They'll
just take up space and probably won't be used more than once, if at
all.
Clothing and Packing
Determine how many days you are going camping, determine how many
sets of clothes you will need for that period, and then cut that
number in half. Pack only the necessities, minimal gear is key to a
great camping trip experience. Hauling, packing, storing, and
trying to fit everything in the car before you leave for your trip
and when it's time to come home and unload it all is no fun at all.
When you pack, fold each piece of clothing - and then roll it up.
Rolled clothing takes up less space than stacked, folded
clothing.
Food
Camping involves plenty of planning, and that goes for food
planning too. Prepare your menu ahead of time, and have a menu for
each meal that includes every item you'll need. The more detail you
have on your menu, the better prepared you'll be to shop for
exactly what you require, no more and no less.
Choose supper meals that you can prepare ahead of time and freeze,
and freeze as much as you can in plastic bags to save space. The
advantage of freezing food is that you will have "ice" ready for
your cooler and not have to buy as many blocks of ice, and the food
can safely defrost in the cooler. If it's frozen tight and you're
planning on eating it that night, transfer the food from your
frozen food cooler to the fresh produce cooler. Alternatively, thaw
it out by placing the plastic bag in a bucket of cold water.
It's a good idea to prepare food you can freeze a couple of weeks
ahead of time and the rest of the food the day before you leave.
Remember, the more you can prepare at home, the less time you'll
have to put into cooking while you camp.
There are tons of other camping tips for beginners, but most
camping trips involve common sense, creativity, and keeping calm
when things get stressful. Camping is experience you have to try at
least once. If all goes well, you will probably want do to it year
after year!
A camping trip can be a fun and educational vacation for the whole
family. However, for that to be a reality, it's essential for every
family member to be aware of some general and useful rules to
follow. Camping tips can keep you from getting frustrated and will
make the experience more fun for everyone, especially if you have
smaller children. Here are some camping tips you need to consider
before you leave:
1. Choose your tent wisely
When choosing a tent the most important things to keep in mind are
size, weight and weather rating.
2. Consider pitch position.
When you pitch a tent, one of the best tips to remember is to
choose the location very wisely. If you can, try not to sleep on a
slope. Think about where the sun comes up, and goes down. Think
about some shelter in the day, it's often useful to have trees on
one side of you to provide some natural protection from the heat,
or any foraging animals that may decide your tent looks interesting
enough to explore. If you plan to have an open fire, be sure that
the flames won't reach any overhanging canopy of branches that
could trigger a fire. Take note and follow any posted warning signs
and look for animal tracks on the ground. Do not disrupt mother
nature.
3. Rent the instructions!
An obvious but often overlooked camping tip is to read the
instructions to learn how to put your tent up before you even go
off on your camping trip. If you have a new tent, which you haven't
used yet, and are unfamiliar with how to put it up, it's a good
idea to pitch the tent in your back yard for practice. When you do
this see if each pole is marked and if not, take some masking tape
and label each piece in a manner that it is foolproof. Mark pole 1
a-b, pole 2 b-c, pole 3 c-d and so on. Also if you return from your
trip and your tent is wet, it is a good idea to set it up in the
back yard and let it dry out before storing for your next
trip.
5. Deal with your food needs appropriately.
You may not know the area you will be camping in very well and
therefore not know what shops if any are in the local vicinity. If
this is the case, try to take some basic food items with you, so
that if you are unable to obtain any extra food, no one will go
hungry. If you are planning on cooking all your own meals, make
sure the gas cylinders are full, and you have packed everything you
need to make meals from scratch. Don't forget the matches and
remember to keep them dry! When you leave your campsite, make sure
that all food is out of reach of wildlife. They will rip open boxes
and climb trees to reach food if they really want it! It's a good
idea to carry your food in a plastic container so that it will be
kept safe, especially if you'll be camping in areas where there are
larger animals, like bears. Keeping the food out of site (and
smell) will prevent these dangerous creatures from being lured to
your campsite. If you are camping in a location where there are
bears it is imperative to use bear boxes. Bears can rip a car apart
looking for food and can easily open a cooler and eat its contents
if left out overnight.
6. Stay organized.
Be neat, tidy and organized inside of your tent and outside on the
campgrounds. Although too much of a routine can be bothersome,
having a few general rules is one of those camping tips which prove
invaluable in the long term. Simple things such as not allowing
dirty shoes inside the tent will not only make the camping trip a
cleaner and more enjoyable experience, but also protect the tent's
material making it last longer than it otherwise might. Assign
everything a place inside the tent. Also have specific places where
things that are often needed can be found so that you aren't
fumbling in the dark and waking others looking for a flashlight or
spending hours hunting for the matches.
7. Leave no trace.
Once your camping trip is at an end, make sure you tidy up after
yourself, leaving no trace you were even there. If using a private
or public campsite, this is essential, since peoplearriving will be
arrive to use the same spot after you've left.
8. Prepare for next time.
You should be preparing for your next camping trip from the moment
you end the current one. This means packing away all your
equipment, including the tent in a way that makes it easy and
simple to start the next camping trip. Make sure the tent goes away
dry (if it's raining as you pack up, air the tent out once you get
home) and clean so that it's suitable to use without any fuss in
future. As you pack away, make a note of any equipment you may need
to buy, such as new pegs or a replacement gas bottle. Also make a
note as to items that need to be repaired.
Camping Code of Ethics
While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on designated
roads and trails. It is a good idea to follow best practices for
negotiating terrain for your type of travel. Don't disturb the
natural habitat by creating new routes or expanding on an existing
trail. When you come to a stream, only cross at fords where the
road or trail crosses the stream. When you come to a posted sign,
comply with all the signs and barriers, they are there for a
reason. It is always a good idea to go camping with two or three
campers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable just in case you
have an accident or breakdown. Always leave details with someone at
home before leaving as to; where you are planning to go camping,
how long you plan to be gone, and any other details that could be
helpful in the event of an emergency or if you do not return when
you planned. Respect the rights of others including private
property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and
others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities
undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road, trail, or
campground.
Keep noise to a minimum especially in the early morning and evening
hours. Be considerate of other campers' privacy, keep your distance
and avoid traveling through their campsites.Camping supplies in
natural colors blend with natural surroundings and are less
intrusive to other campers' experiences.
Leave gates as you find them.
If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the
landowner.When driving yield to horses, hikers, and bikers.
Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from
public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills
classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment
safely.
Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open
to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it.
Always tell someone of your travel plans.Contact the land manager
for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the
weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment,
and supplies accordingly. Carry a compass or a Global Positioning
System (GPS) unit and know how to use them. Prepare for the
unexpected by packing emergency items. Avoid sensitive areas such
as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated
routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from
damage.
Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes
include cryptanalytic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal
nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical,
archaeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid "spooking"
livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas
designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than
you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of
fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded
areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out what
you pack in.Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by
others.
Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and
amount of trash to carry out.Whenever possible, use existing
campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a
non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents. Camp a least
200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. For cooking, use
a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of
impact on the land. Observe all fire restrictions. If you must
build a fire use existing fire rings, build a mound fire or use a
fire pan. For campfires, use only fallen timber. Gather firewood
well away from your camp. Do not cut standing trees. Let your fire
burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely
extinguished. Do not wash in steams and lakes. Detergents,
toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet
away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters
through the soil. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine
if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it's necessary to
bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow
hole (6"-8" deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites,
or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It
is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may
have other restrictions so check with a land manager.
Hopefully this was useful camping information. Enjoy the great
outdoors and please leave it the great outdoors when you pack up
and go home.
You can read more of my Ezine articles on camping and also visit
my "Your Summer Ideas" site below.
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Szela
Now that you have learned a bit about about camping. I would like
you to go tohttp://www.camping-together.com/ for the rest of the
story!