When planning your camping trip, here are 5 tips that will ensure it’s both a safe and fun experience. Travel and adventure are both perks of living an ageless lifestyle after 50! While getting away from the routine of your day to day life is one of the reasons you may choose to go camping, it’s also an adventure and a great way to re-connect with nature.
Are you going the tent route?
1. Pre-camping preparation. If you’re taking any small children with you, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all of you comfortably. On the other hand, if you’re camping with older kids, it may be a good idea for them to have their own pup tents to give them some sense of independence.
Another great tip is to practice assembling the tents in your backyard to avoid wasting time at the camp site.
2. Selecting a campsite. Depending upon whether you decide to rough it or choose a campsite close to amenities, you can research campsites online and get comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and fun things to see and do as well.
Make sure the campsite you select is an official campsite area. If there is even a slight chance of rain, it’s a good idea to look for campsites that are on the high ground. Then, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not be swamped with water.
Whether you choose a tent, RV or cabin, follow these tips:
3. Make a checklist. You don’t want to be hours from home, or a grocery store and realize you forgot something!
Here’s some important items:
Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbecue grill or stove
Ziploc bags of different sizes
Cooking utensils, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, coffee pot
Silverware, glasses, plates
Salt, pepper, oil, condiments
Water
Cooler with ice
In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. See what you can make at home and package in containers for the trip. That will save you time cooking when you could be having fun.
4. Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending on the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you’re going hiking more than once, you may want to invest in hiking boots instead of wearing tennis shoes.
You’ll also want to pack:
Sleeping bags
First aid kit
Flashlights
Cell phone and iPad charger
Garbage bags
Toiletries
Bug spray
Ointments for scrapes and burns
Map of the area
Games, cards, books
Battery powered bluetooth speakers
5. When preparing a campfire, set it up further away from your structure than you might think the wind can blow. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories; douse the fire before going to bed.
Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping under the stars, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family and friends will not only bring you closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever. Anther big part of the experience is to reconnect with the awe you experience in nature and the feeling of being apart of the bigger picture, so to speak.
No comments yet.