Camping Gear 101
by Conroy Keight
Camping is the ultimate outdoor adventure. Whether you camp every weekend, once every summer, or even if you haven't camped since you were a kid, it's important to plan ahead before your next excursion. Preparation is a key to making every camping trip a safe and fun outdoor getaway.
Treat every camping trip like it's your first, even if you've camped many times before. Your wilderness adventure can quickly turn to disastrous or even dangerous if you're not prepared for anything. To make your trip as safe and fun as possible, make a checklist of everything you need before you hit the trail. There are no corner stores in the forest, and no neighbors to provide those forgotten items.
Plan First, Pack Later
Allow time to plan, and avoid dashing and grabbing items at the last minute. Take the time to make a list of everything that you will need, and be sure to include those things that you may need in an emergency. Write them down, and cross the items off as you pack them. This is the only way to be sure that no necessity is overlooked.
Sleep and Shelter
If you bring poor shelter and shoddy bedding, your camping trip can quickly turn from paradise to purgatory. Plan ahead and make sure that you'll be dry, warm and comfortable at all times. Sleeping in the open air under the stars might seem like the ultimate adventure, but being exposed to insects, forest animals, rain and frost is no fun. Proper shelter keeps you safe and secure. Bring enough bedding to keep you warm in the cool nighttime air, and don't forget your pillow.
Personal Care
You can safely leave your hair dryer and cosmetics at home, but don't forget to pack your insect repellant, sunscreen and toilet paper. Those are the absolute necessities of life in the great outdoors. You may also want to pack other personal care items like your soap, shampoo, hairbrush, and toothbrush. Pack everything in a waterproof bag, especially your towels and toilet paper.
Dressing For All Occasions
Pack a clean change of clothing for each day that you will be at camp, and then pack a few extra items. Camping can be dirty business, and those little surprises like rain and dust can mean an even bigger mess. If you have a supply of fresh water and a length of rope on hand, you can always wash and dry your laundry at camp. It's a lot easier, however, to just pack extra. The temperatures can drop dramatically at night, even during the hottest months, so bring along a couple of warm shirts, extra socks and long pants for those cool evenings by the campfire.
Medicine and First Aid
Remember the first rule of Scouting while you're packing your camping gear: Always Be Prepared! Go through your medicine cabinet, and bring along anything you might need. Pack the medicines you need to take on a daily basis, and don't forget your vitamins and pain relief pills. If you have allergies, bring appropriate medication or an epi-pen. A properly stocked first aid kit is always essential, along with a sharp outdoor knife and scissors.
Cooking
There is nothing as delicious as a meal cooked over an open flame, and nothing more frustrating than forgetting your matches. Be sure that you have everything you need to prepare and cook your outdoor feast. Pack a clean grill, tongs, spoon and a metal spatula. You'll need a bowl for mixing food, a cutting board, paper plates (not plastic), cups, silverware, aluminum foil, biodegradable dish soap and linens. If you'll be fishing, remember to bring a sharp filet knife and an iron frying pan. Remember to bring garbage bags to clean up camp at the end of your stay and for heaven's sake, don't forget to bring lots of matches in a waterproof container.
When you take the time to pack carefully and bring along all of the essential camping gear, you'll have an outdoor adventure to remember, for all the right reasons.
Author Conroy Keight is a regular columnist for several well-known web magazines, on recreation and camping and parks and recreation zzz. Click here for other unique 'camping gear' articles.
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