Conquering The Great Outdoors: Do's And Don'ts
Camping is an outdoor activity that does not require specialized skills; it only requires thorough preparation of equipment such as a camping tent (or specifically for families, a large camping tent), sleeping bags, food, water, and the like. With enough preparation, campers will surely get the most out of the entire experience in utter safety and comfort. If you are headed to the great outdoors, here are the major factors you need to consider.
Plan the whole trip beforehand
As with any major activity, there is a need to plan and organize. This entails choosing a date, perhaps a weekend, and then choosing the perfect location for the camping trip. If this is your first time, then you may ask around for suggestions from friends and family members. You may also check with local camping associations or groups for other suggestions. Especially for first time campers, do not venture out without checking the safety of the area where you are headed. You also need to check local weather forecasts. Next, after choosing the date and place, do make a checklist of what needs to be done and what needs to be prepared, purchased, repaired, etc. This leads us to the next set of items on your list: the equipment.
Pack all the necessary equipment
Once you have chosen the date and place, now is the time to make that all important checklist. By listing down all the necessary equipment, you will not likely forget anything that you might need. Topping the list of important camping gear is the camping tent. To determine if you have the right kind, you might want to do a quick headcount so that you will know if you need to bring a single tent, a large camping tent, or several mid-sized ones. Next, you must bring sleeping materials such as comforters, pads, sleeping bags, and the like. Do pack extra comforters as you might need them when the weather gets colder at night. Apart from packing a large camping tent and enough sleeping materials, you also need to pack cooking equipment and utensils. If you are going to use a car (as opposed to backpacking), you might also want to bring some lightweight tables and chairs so that you all can eat comfortably even while you are outdoors.
Prepare sufficient food and water
In preparing food and water, do consider the number of campers and the length of your planned trip. Obviously, if the whole family will come down for the trip, you will need to bring more food and water supplies. The same is true with longer camping trips- the longer the trip, the more food and water you should bring with you. Do pack foods that do not spoil easily. Furthermore, as long as there is enough space, do pack extra food and water supplies in case of emergency.
Plan for contingencies
Finally, you need to plan for contingencies. Before camping, inform your relatives or other family members about where you are headed, how long you will be out, and the like. Do not head on out without informing others about your trip. Moreover, bring a mobile phone for easy communication and a first aid kit for emergency situations.
With these, you can safely head on out and enjoy your camping trip.
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