Summer’s here, and one of the most popular summertime activities in the Unites States is camping. In 2013, Americans went camping for a total of 516.6 million days. While camping can be a fun and adventurous activity to embark on with friends and family, it can also turn dangerous quickly if you aren’t prepared. Follow these foolproof camping tips to have fun and safe summer adventures out in the great outdoors:
- Know where you’re sleeping. When deciding on where to camp and what to camp in, there are many factors to consider. If you’re embarking on a family camping trip with small children, you may want to consider either cabin rental or finding a facility with a campground. Both of these options offer more resources and readily available amenities, which may be necessary when young children are involved.
If this isn’t a concern and you’re looking to truly get among nature, there are camp sites all over the country in national parks, and established locations along trails. In these scenarios, the best way to sleep is in a tent, which is the most popular form of camping. - Gear up. An essential aspect of camping that should never be overlooked is having the proper gear. If you are planning on hiking a great deal, find a good backpack and be choosy about how you fill it. A multi-day pack will be about 60-80 liters in volume and for day trips, small packs are fine. Pack the essentials, such as a first aid kit, sunblock, bug spray, flashlight, provisions, a water filter, dry socks and clothing, extra batteries, etc. If you plan on starting a fire, bring fire starters, charcoal, and newspaper. Always check to make sure your camp sites allow campfires!
- Eat Up. Taking the amount of people and days into account, pack a good amount of non perishable, nourishing items, such as protein/granola bars, peanut butte rand jelly sandwiches, beef jerky, powdered sports drinks, and fruit. When food is left out in the open, camp sites are subject to the threat of bears, so be sure to seal your food properly after eating. If you plan on fishing for food, bring proper fishing gear!
- Dress right! Dressing for the occasion is extremely important when camping. Moisture wicking clothing is best, and pack plenty of clean socks and underwear, a windbreaker, and a warm sweatshirt or jacket if needed. When buying hiking boots, make sure they aren’t snug! While it’s normal for regular shoes to fit snugly, too-tight hiking shoes can be extremely uncomfortable, causing blisters and wayward toenails.
With these tips, you’ll be sure to have a blast on your next camping trip. What are some of your favorite camping tips? Tell us in the comments below!
