Archive for October, 2009
Organization Will Make You a Happy Camper
As a veteran of dozens of family camping trips, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that make the process go more smoothly. Perhaps the biggest piece of advice I can share with newbie camping families is that privacy is underrated. Until you actually get out there in nature for a few days, you might not see a problem with four or more people sharing a single small living space. After a while, it pays to have a divider to section the kids off from the adults.
Bear in mind also that the floor space inside your Eureka tents will be at a premium. Think of all the hiking supplies, shoes, fishing gear and cosmetic items that might litter the floor of the tent. I like to travel with a camping organizer – a bag made of mesh netting that you can hang from the tent wall. This will keep your most important supplies such as a first-aid kit and a flashlight within easy reach.
Change Your Strategy for Winter Camping
Now that cold weather is a fact of life for the next few months, it’s time to start planning for winter camping excursions. Compared to summer hiking and camping, the winter variety takes a whole new level of commitment. On the positive side, you’ll see an entirely different side of familiar outdoor landscapes. Without the leaves on the trees obscuring your view, you’ll enjoy beautiful vistas for miles around.
The wildlife you encounter will also be somewhat unfamiliar. Make sure to camp on public land as you could potentially run into hunters elsewhere. Some of your provisions and equipment will remain unchanged – Stansport tents will stand you in good stead in all seasons – but this late in the year you’ll want to have a portable heater at the ready and a cozy down sleeping bag for the frigid nights.
Lessons Learned from Constant Campers
Now that our family has camped in the Appalachians for a few years in a row, we’ve picked up a few helpful tips that other outdoors enthusiasts might find helpful. First, I’d recommend against renting cabins for the week. As long as you’re living without electricity and running water, what’s the point of having a bed and a roof? A nice, durable tent with an air mattress will do the same job as much less cost.
I’ve also found that it’s essential to bring along some screen tents when camping in large groups. Our screen tent serves as an impromptu dining hall. The bug-proof netting keeps pests away from our food supply, and eating inside the tent is often preferable to risking beestings and other dangers at a picnic table. Finally, I make sure to pack a thick, comfortable sleeping bag; even if you’re camping in a warm-weather climate, the nights can prove chilly.