Latest Camping Forum Topics:

  • Im going camping...And i need help haha? (5 posts)
  • Best place to go camping? (7 posts)
  • camping food? (9 posts)
  • I am going camping? (12 posts)
  • Do you have any embarrasing camping stories? (8 posts)
  • How do yo reserve a first come first serve campsite? (6 posts)
  • Names of parks in Florida that offers canoing to your campsite? (3 posts)
  • I am trying to go motorcycle camping but I need to know a little about the legality of off the road camping.? (2 posts)
  • Where can I camp long term, for a few months this summer? (4 posts)
  • CAMPING NEAR KENNYWOOD IN PITTSBURGH (Trying to plan a trip)? (3 posts)
  • Camping Ideas? (3 posts)
  • Camping...list of things i need? (23 posts)
  • Nice campgrounds inCalifornia? (3 posts)
  • Best Hiking Boots for Philmont, New Mexico? (4 posts)
  • Tent or trailer for camping? (13 posts)
  •  

    CAMPING EQUIPMENT

    Bringing the right camping equipment and supplies could be the difference between a good camping vacation and a great one. The equipment you may need will vary depending on whether you will be camping in a tent, cabin, pop-up camper, or RV. Starting a list of essentials and then filling in with other items is the best way to go about gathering everything you and your family or friends will need. Your basic list of equipment should include:

    bedding and bedding accessories

    tents

    cooking equipment and supplies

    backpacks

    clothing

    safety equipment and communication devices

    stoves

    toiletries

    water

    lighting

    batteries

    bungee cords and other devices for storage


    While this list will include more or less of these items, you should research the types of equipment that will be available to you when staying in a campground. Most campgrounds have electrical outlets, water spickets, fire pits, and grills that you can use, but some do not. It is important to ask these questions when making your reservation.

    If staying in a cabin, you should ask if cooking supplies such as plates, utensils, and bedding are provided. Since some cabins are in resort areas and are treated as oversized hotel rooms, this equipment may be supplied for you. You may need to bring dish washing detergent, however, in order to wash the dishes during your stay.

    The kinds of equipment you will need will also depend on the time of year you want to go camping. If staying outside on those cold nights in the woods, you will need to invest in a sleeping bag, tent, and other equipment that will keep you warm.

    There are many stores that sell camping equipment. You should visit your local outdoor store to see what they have available. You do not have to spend a fortune on equipment, but you should get exactly what you will need to survive outdoors or in an RV for a week or more. Plan on spending anywhere from three hundred to five hundred dollars on equipment and supplies. This amount will vary according to the number of people that will be camping with you, but it is a good figure to base your budget on.

    BEDDING AND BEDDING ACCESSORIES

    Bedding

    The most essential piece of camping equipment you will need is a sleeping bag. You can use a sleeping bag in a tent, RV, cabin, or anytime you need it. Sleeping bags come in many different styles and prices ranges. This is due, in part, to what is used to stuff the bag. Types of sleeping bags include:

    Mummy Bags
    These sleeping bags are usually made of a nylon outside, which is waterproof and easy to clean, and a fiber or natural down inside that will trap in body heat. They are called mummy bags because they are large enough to fit one person snuggly inside without much room to move around. They are designed to help keep body heat close to the body. The bag zips up to a person’s neck or the top or their head, which is where the name comes from. The bag is light weight and easy to travel with when hiking.

    Mummy bags are available for different temperatures you may experience during your camping trip. If you will be camping in the woods, then you will want to find a bag that will keep you warm when temperatures dip below thirty degrees. If you will be camping closer to water or in the desert, you will want to find a bag that is comfortable for temperatures that will reach forty or below.

    Double Sleeping Bag
    These sleeping bags can be zipped together so that couples can sleep side by side while camping. Ideal for camping trips to state parks and other areas that do not get too cold during the nighttime, these bags are light weight and can be transported easily. Made of a nylon or taffeta outer lining and a fiber inner lining, couples will be able to stay warm and close to each other during the night.

    Children’s Sleeping Bags
    Usually made of a nylon outer lining and a fiber or down inner lining, these bags are well suited for children under the age of twelve. Keeping body heat inside the bag is the main objective of sleeping bags. If you purchase an adult bag for a child, then you run the risk of heat escaping during the night.


    Now that you know of some of the types of sleeping bags that are on the market, you should understand that sleeping bags are filled with different materials that will keep you warm. While goose down will keep you the warmest at nighttime, if you will be camping next to water and your bag gets wet, down will take a long time to dry. If you know you will be canoeing, staying near water, or if you will be camping in an area that receives a lot of rain, you should prepare for these conditions by buying a sleeping bag that is filled with quallofil and halofil, which are synthetic fillers. They dry very quickly and can be used for different camping trips.
    If you plan on hiking while you are camping, try to find a sleeping bag that weighs anywhere from three to five pounds. This is a good weight that you will be able to carry easily.

    Before buying any sleeping bag, you should see it firsthand. Feel the inside and outside of the bag to make sure it will be warm enough. If you are unsure which bag to buy, ask sales clerks which ones they would recommend. If you shop online, you may be confused as to which sleeping bag will be the best.

    If you want to shop for a sleeping bag online, read the full description and ask friends or family that camp which ones they would recommend.

    Bedding Accessories

    In addition to sleeping bags, you may also want to invest in an air mattress, padding, or extra blankets when camping in a cabin or in a tent. Since most RV’s have beds, you will only have to worry about sheets and sleeping bags when creating a pleasant place to sleep at night. But when camping in a tent, you will feel every rock, branch, root, and other debris that is on the floor through the tent and your sleeping bag. Even the most luxurious sleeping bags cannot protect your back and neck muscles from feeling a little sore the next day.

    While you should sweep the area before pitching your tent, you will not be able to create a smooth surface throughout. By using air mattresses and padding, you will reduce these annoyances and you will be able to get a good night’s sleep.

    TENTS

    Buying a tent is the second most essential piece of camping equipment you will need. There are many different types of tents on the market, so which one is the right one for you? Tent styles include:

    Pup Tents
    These little tents are big enough for one adult or two children. They can be set up easily and are light weight.

    Two-person Tents
    These tents can fit two adults and sleeping bags, but little else. If you need to fit more people or two people and equipment inside the tent, then you should opt for something larger. These tents are also great for hiking trips.

    Four-person Tents
    These tents will fit up to four adults without equipment or two adults with equipment. Four-person tents weight a little bit more, but can also be taken on hiking trips.

    Six-person Tents
    If you will be camping with your family, these tents are great because they will allow a family of four with equipment or a family of six without equipment.


    The rule of thumb when choosing the tent size is to always go a size larger than what you absolutely need. Most people want to store their clothing and other equipment inside the tent, so choosing a larger tent will allow for equipment without becoming too crowded.

    But if these tents seem a bit too close for comfort, you can also opt for the following:

    Two-room Tents
    These are also a family favorite. For added privacy, this tent has two rooms that are separated by a nylon zippered door. The children can sleep in one room and the adults in another.

    Three-room Tents
    These tents have two rooms and a screened in porch where people can take off their wet shoes and gear without having to make a mess inside the sleeping areas. This tent is also great for rainy days when shelter is needed to eat meals and other activities.


    Tents with one sleeping area and porch area are also available.

    When looking for a tent, you should:

    Make sure the tent is constructed with double seams

    Buy tents with aluminum poles

    Make sure the tent has stake loops that are big enough

    Make sure the tent door has a netted covering

    Buy a tent with a roof vent

    Make sure all the zippers are working properly

    Check the rainfly

    Make sure the floor is attached to the tent securely

    Buy a tent with guylines


    When pitching your tent for the first time, follow all directions and bring enough rope to tie the tent down securely. Use the guylines to ensure that the tent will not move during heavy winds and use the right size stake so that the tent does not fall over or blow away.

    It is not wise to eat inside the tent as the smell of food may attract animals and bugs. Try to eat all meals outside and you will prolong the life of your new tent.

    After your camping trip, you should pitch the tent in your backyard in order to let it dry out. This will help prevent mold from forming on the inside of the tent. You should also seal all the seams with a waterproof spray. This will give you added protection. Do not store the tent in its carrying bag, instead store it in a cool, dry place and only use the bag when transporting the tent.

    You will want to make sure you can use your tent for many camping excursions. While you do not have to buy the most expensive tent on the market, you should buy something that will provide enough space for you and your family. You should make sure that the tent has enough room for your stuff as well.

    COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

    The types of cooking equipment and supplies you need for a camping trip will vary depending on whether you will be staying in a tent, cabin, or RV. What you cook will be up to you. You can basically make anything over an open flame, but you will probably want to cook easy foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, stew, or soup.

    Cooking equipment and supplies for tent camping

    This is a list of items you will need when camping in a tent:

    Camp stove

    Charcoal

    Plates, utensils (one set for each camper)

    Pots and pans
    Aluminum foil

    Dish washing detergent

    Food

    Bottled water

    Cooler

    Can opener

    Paper towels


    These items will allow you to store refrigerated foods, open cans if necessary, and give you some of the comforts of home. While some campsites provide open grills for cooking, ice machines, and water spickets, you may not want to rely on these items working or being available at every camp site. Unless you have stayed at this particular campground before, you should pack these items just in case.

    Cooking equipment and supplies for cabin camping

    This list is similar to the one above, but you may not need to pack as many pots, pans, and plates, as the cabin may be furnished with them already. What you should bring with you includes the following:

    Food

    Bottled water

    Aluminum foil

    Cooking utensils

    Can opener

    Dish washing detergent

    Bug spray

    Paper towels


    The bug spray may be needed if you notice bugs in the kitchen area, which can occur during the spring and early fall months. Be prepared, because you never know what you will be walking into.

    Cooking equipment and supplies for RV camping

    RV camping is different from cabin camping in that you will only have a limited supply of water from the faucet when on the road. This is because the water comes from a container that is underneath the RV. This container keeps the toilet and shower working as well. Unless you will be refilling the container often, you will have to learn how to conserve water so that you will have enough for the trip. The same goes for electrical power. While the small generator is recharged while the RV is in motion, you will have to conserve the electrical energy used. Many RV campsites will allow you to plug into electrical outlets that will run your generator. This will allow you to have a full functioning kitchen where you will not have to conserve as much energy.

    But if you will be staying in a campground that does not have electrical power for RV’s, you will have to conserve energy throughout the day.

    The equipment and supplies you will need include:

    Food

    Bottled water

    Pots and pans, cooking utensils

    Plates and utensils

    Aluminum foil

    Dish washing detergent

    Paper towels

    Can opener


    You will find that cooking in an RV is similar to cooking at home. Many RV’s have stoves, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators.

    Cooking while camping should not be a big production. You should bring foods that are fun to eat and easy to cook. You can still add flavor to food by bringing your favorite spices and herbs, but you will not want to cook a five course dinner with dessert.

    Preparing food in advance is how many people eliminate the time spent cooking while on vacation. Foods that can be reheated include spaghetti sauces, soups, cobblers, pies, and other foods that you would normally reheat at home.

    While many people enjoy camping in the great outdoors, if they find a diner or a truck stop, they will eat some of their meals there. There is nothing wrong with eating out during a camping trip. It’s a vacation after all, and everyone should be able to relax.

    If you are taking your children on a camping trip, they should help with the cooking duties. Even if they are just mixing ingredients, watching the fire, or cleaning up afterwards, it will be a good experience for them to help with the cooking chores.

    BACKPACKS AND CLOTHING

    For most people, fitting all of their belongings into a backpack when going on a camping trip, is nearly impossible. While backpacks come in a wide variety of sizes, packing can still cause some confusion. This is why some people opt for small suitcases or duffle bags for extra storage.

    If you are unsure what to bring with you on a camping trip, you should keep in mind the following:

    Good pair of hiking or outdoor shoes

    Three pairs of jeans or cargo pants

    Two pairs of shorts

    Five tee-shirts

    Two or three long sleeved shirts

    Windbreaker or raincoat

    Hat


    Depending on the time of year that you are camping, you should plan accordingly. If using a backpack, find one that has multiple compartments, this will allow you to stay organized while on your trip. Compartments for water, safety equipment, or hiking gear may also be necessary, so be sure to find a pack that suits your needs.

    BUGS

    It is inevitable that you will have some type of bug issue while you are camping. Mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, flies, ants, and other annoying creatures will be attracted to the smell of food, the light from the fire, and the sudden change in activity. But there are ways that you can deal with these creatures that will safely allow you to have a good time camping.

    Use bug spray everyday. Find one that contains deet, which will repel mosquitoes easily. It is important to protect yourself from mosquitoes because they can carry disease. Read the directions and spray yourself and your kids as recommended.

    Make sure your tent has mosquito netting that will cover the opening of the tent. This will help keep bugs out of your sleeping bags, clothing, and other items that are in the tent.

    When hiking, wear long pants and shirts, hiking shoes, and use plenty of bug spray because ticks may be in the area. Conduct nightly tick checks on children and adults to make sure they haven’t been bitten. If you find a tick, remove it carefully and burn it using a match or throw it in the fire.

    Try to keep food covered so that it is not eaten by ants. Always clean up the area after meal times and keep the cooler closed when not using it. This will not only teach your kids to respect the land, but it will reduce the number of bugs and animals that will enter your site.

    SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES

    Safety equipment and communication devices are important to have when camping with your family, friends, or by yourself. With the many technological advances that have been made over the years, it is easier to find those who are lost in the woods, snow, and in other areas. Devices such as GPS navigational systems, cell phones, and PDA’s have saved lives. When camping far from home, you should invest in the following:

    Cell Phone with backup batteries

    GPS handheld tracker

    Compass
    Map of the area

    Extra rope when climbing

    First aid kit


    This equipment will allow you to know where you are in case you get lost, and will also allow you to communicate with others if you need medical assistance. While cell phone service is not available in all areas, your cell phone frequency may be tracked by rescue services.

    If you are considering buying a GPS handheld tracking device, you do not have to spend that much. For a hundred dollars or less, you will be able to buy a small tracker that will give you the location and provide a map that you can look at. This tracking device can help you when you have lost your way and will allow others to find you.

    OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR CAMPING

    Basic equipment such as toiletries, water, batteries, and strong cords to use when packing your belongings on the roof of your car will be needed when camping. These items can be found at home improvement stores, camping stores, and online.

    Once you have gathered all of the equipment you will need for camping, you may want to include some extras that will make your camping trip more comfortable:

    Folding chairs

    Folding tables

    Table cloth

    Citronella candles (bug replant)

    Chuck box (storage for food and cooking equipment)

    Iron skillet

    Extra blankets


    While many campgrounds have picnic tables, they are not as comfortable as chairs. You will be able to position them wherever you want, which will make sitting by the fire much more cozy. Some of these items you may already own, and even though they are not necessary, they will make your camping experience more relaxing.

    Even if you have been camping before, you will always forget to pack something. By making a list in advance, you will cut down on extra trips to the camping store or general store when on your camping trip. If you are planning a camping and hiking adventure, or rock climbing, you should create a list of camping equipment and a list of hiking equipment so that you will remember to bring everything you will need.

    Remember to bring enough supplies and equipment to last for a week or more depending on the length of your trip. Have an emergency supply of food in case you have to stay a few days longer. This will help in case you are lost, or if rescue teams cannot get to you right away.

    CLEANING UP CAMP

    Cleaning up the camp site is just as important as remembering to bring everything you will need. You should remove all trash, clean out the grill, and remove ashes from the fire. Teach your kids early how to respect nature and they will grow up having good habits when it comes to caring for the environment. Many campsites have recycling areas, so you should take advantage of them and throw away all plastic, aluminum cans, and other recyclable items in these areas.

    Sponsored Ads:

    Related Articles:

    Also In This Category:

    Currently Online :

    Search :

    No comments yet