Tent Camping Tip's Last Minute Checklist

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With every big trip there is a good amount of planning and forethought on what to do, where to go, and all the other logistics. Nevertheless, it is always good to have a checklist nearby before you head to make sure you have not forgotten anything. Here, is our list:

1. Backpack

a. Check to make sure the pack is secured snugly to the frame. If there are any broken parts, get them fixed before heading into the field.

b. Bring a small repair kit into the field for the pack. (This should include twine, duck tape, and some additional clamp pins).

2. Sleeping gear

a. Sleeping bag: Check the bag to ensure there are no holes. Ensure it is covered securely by a container and an additional trashbag to keep it protected from water, especially if crossing a stream or river.

b. Air Mattress or Cot: Make sure these do not have any holes and are in working order. (Always bring some duck tape to help patch any holes).

3. Tent

a. Check to ensure you have all the parts to the tent.

b. Check to make sure no holes are in the tent.

c. Determine if additional padding needs to be included for weather conditions.

4. Knife

a. Make sure the knife has a sharp blade and its locking mechanism works properly.

b. It also pays to have two knives. One should be a multi-function knife like a swiss army knife and the other should be a strong single blade. Both come in handy in the field.

5. Hand Axe

a. Make sure the hand axe is sharp and has an appropriate sheath that is fastened securely. Bring a thick towel in the field. This can be used as a substitute sheath if the other sheath breaks down.

b. As a matter of practice, a full sized axe is usually unnecessary. However, if you are planning on building lean-tos or other types of large sleeping structures, this will be the better way to go.

6. Clothes (The actual amount should be adjusted for length of camping trip)

a. Long sleeve shirt. It should have a durable fabric that can breathe fairly easily.

b. Long sleeved pants. These should also be of a durable fabric that are designed to go into the brush. These pants should stretch all the way down to your boots.

c. Additional layering, such as long johns or thermals should be used when appropriate.

d. Underwear and undershirts.

e. Sleeping gear: In the summer, some shorts and a t-shirt will be fine; however, in the winter a pair of pajamas will be better.

f. Socks: Have two kinds one that is a basic insulator and then have wool socks covering them.

g. Hat: Essentially you want a hat that is unlikely to get caught on brush and will provide some sun protection for your face. A baseball cap will work fine in the summer although a wool cap would work better in the fall and winter.

h. Poncho or rain jacket: This can also double as extra padding for your sleeping arrangement or used as a tarp for the fire.

i. Belt: Should be a durable belt that is in good working order.

7. Shoes:

a. Hiking boots. Bring a durable pair that are waterproof and have a good rubber sole intact.

b. Running shoes. Bring a durable pair to that is easy to slip on during the night to use the restroom or to wear around camp.

c. Extra pair of shoelaces. Bring an extra pair of laces for both shoes.

8. Canteen:

a. Should be able to hold at least 2 quarts of water and provide either a strap to sling over your shoulder or a clip to attach to a belt.

9. Compass, GPS and map:

a. Make sure both items are in working order.

b. If GPS, needs additional batteries or will need to be recharged, plan accordingly to take this into account.

c. Map should be the most recent version you can find and should accurately show changes in topography.

i. Make sure you understand how to read the map prior to going into the field.

ii. Know where the nearest hospital is on the map.

iii. Have pre-established boundaries in your camping area that will let you know if you get lost. A stream or road can work very effectively as a boundary point.

10. First Aid Kit:

a. Should include bandages, band aids and some medical tape.

11. Flashlight and Lantern:

a. Basically you really only need two sources of light.

i. A small flashlight to be able to look through your park in the dark.

ii. A large flashlight that can be used for walking at night.

b. A Lantern can be used for camp if needed.

12. Other Items:

a. Bandanas or Handkerchiefs. These can double as bandages or slings.

b. Bug repellant and a fly swatter. The fly swatter may come in handy at the campsite as flies are attracted to grease and cooked food.

c. Sunscreen.

d. Binoculars.

e. Strike anywhere matches in a water proof case. It is still a good idea to include a strike box and to divide the matches into two areas so to prevent the likelihood of water damage or losing all your matches.

13. Cooking Equipment: The amount and supplies will vary depending on your needs. Here, are the essential items:

a. Frying pan

b. Large pot

c. Plate and bowl

d. Fork and spoon

e. Small pot to boil water, tea, coffee, etc.

f. A basic boy scout mess kit will cover all of these items except the large pot.

14. Food:

a. Cooler: Will store food and keep ice cold. The type of cooler and amount of ice will vary depending on your cooking needs.

b. Water. Even if you are getting your water from a water source, it is a good idea to bring some water on hand.

i. Determine if water purification tablets will be needed.

c. Water jug. This can be used to house water at campsite. It can be propped on a stump or secured to a tree with rope.

d. Weight of Food Concerns. When selecting food supplies take into account their weight in choosing supplies. If weight is a concern, try to choose foods that have the water already taken out of it including dried fruit, drink powders, boxed foods.

e. Garbage bags. These will be used for waste and rain protection.

15. Repair Kit: This should include twine, duck tape, and a needle and thread.

16. Toiletries:

a. Wash cloth

b. Toilet paper

c. Baby Wipes: Can be used to clean hands and face.

17. Cell phone:

a. Bring one that has a great range for the area that can be used if an emergency phone call is needed.

This list is comprehensive by design. With experience as a tent camping, you can add or subtract from this list. However, it is good idea regardless of your experience, to test all new equipment. In fact, it is a good idea to also check the older equipment to make sure it is still in working order. With this said, the list above should put you in real good shape for camping supplies.

Jeff Marshall is an avid tent camper and former Boy Scout. To read more tips and advice like the ones in this article, please click here: http://www.goingtentcamping.com/Tent-Camping-Tips

Essential Camping Tips For Beginners and Experts

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So, what's our experience you want to know? Whom are we to tell you what to do about camping?

Instead of asking more questions, read the entire article and by the time you are finished you will have all the answers.

Before you go anywhere, decide what kind of camping experience you want. Are you looking for real rugged, outdoors along with bears? Then choose most of the Pennsylvania State Parks. Looking for more civilized camping, try the New York State Parks.

FIRST, TOTAL ESSENTIALS for comfortable camping (in state parks):

• Know that camping inside a state park is no safer than camping or living anywhere else in the country.


• So, security, health and safety should be on your mind before you begin your trip.


• As a beginner, you will do well by first calling the state parks office and asking for a map of the place and any or all brochures of the campsites. You can find this information online also at the park's websites.


• IF this is your first time camping out, take a buddy, and also choose a campsite that is closest to the park office (if there is one) and closest to the bathrooms, showers or soda machines. (Some sites have those).


• Look at the map and note whether there are bathrooms or outhouses (Yes, there are some that still have outhouses, i.e. in Pennsylvania and in Ohio). Choose what you like and then select your park or campsite.


• Research the temperature of the climate that you will be visiting; check for upcoming storms and bad weather . PLAN your trip.


• INQUIRE about the park's regulations on animals. (You can find out if you can bring a pet or not).


• Do not bring any pets, even if allowed into certain country campsites (where there might be wildlife). You risk your pet getting diseases and you risk your pet getting eaten, maimed or killed. You also attract bears by bringing pets into the campsites. (Some campsites have bears because they are in the middle of game lands or in the middle of vast state parks).


• IF you must bring a pet, bring a kennel, minimal wet food, and bring gear to dispose of the food and waste. (Leave no trace)!


• If you want a campsite that has it's own library (in camp season), visit Wildwood State Park in New Jersey.


• If you want a real wilderness experience, visit most of the Pennsylvania state parks.


• If you want "civilized" camping, (with real showers, restrooms, electricity to charge your phones, water spigots at campsites) try Hecksher State Park in Long Island, New York.


• If you want to feel like you have been to HEAVEN-on earth- make your reservation nine months in advance and reserve your spot at Hither Hills State Park in the Hamptons, New York. This place is every bit worth the wait and the preparation. (Bring zip lock bags and waterproof bags because this is the wettest campsite around - just a few feet from our ocean). We woke up in the morning and found EVERYTHING damp - money soaked, etc, even though we camped 30 feet from the ocean and the ocean never touched out campsite. The moisture in this place is unbelievable. (If you bring electronics here - your phone, etc, bring a water bucket and store your electronics in there to keep them dry.

Those, listed above, are just the basics.

Other things to prepare for. What if it rains? You can buy a small tarp at the dollar store or at any hardware store. Place this tarp over your tent if it rains. Most tents are not waterproof and even the ones that advertise that can be a little wet in a bad storm.

THINGS TO KEEP YOU DRY:

1. Old, clean shower curtains.


2. Tarps.


3. Old, clean plastic table cloths.


4. Rain ponchos (as opposed to rain coats). Ponchos , large ones can double as tent cover.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• 
  Keep food OUT of the tent at all times. This gives you good camping background training. Even if you are camping out in a place where there is no wildlife, get into the habit of eating OUTSIDE and far from your tent. Then when you do camp out where there are bears, you already have good camping habits. Besides, keeping food out is the same as keeping uncovered food out of your bedroom. You do not want to attract bugs or other creatures that might be hiding anywhere in the building or anywhere outdoors.


• At Hecksher State Park, you might find unwelcome visitors (little people) trying to come in your tent when you are gone (to the pool, etc), so bring along "cable ties" and use them to lock your tent up while you are away . Cut the ties with a manicure scissor or small wire cutter when you return. You can purchase cable ties anywhere in most cities. This cable tie lets you know if anyone has "visited" your campsite while you were away. If the cable tie is broken when you get back, fully inspect your tent for rips, bugs and other creatures that might have entered while your tent was being visited. It is important to check for spiders in this campsite. Spiders are rampant all over Hecksher. You see them when you take the fly off of your tent before leaving. You will view unbelievable collections of spiders under and near your tent.


• 
  When camping with kids or camping and using 'gear" - baseballs etc. Set up a tiny 'gear tent". You can buy a child's tent for under twelve dollars. By storing gear in this separate tent, you save wear and tear on your regular tent's zipper and also keep the tent CLOSED to all the insects and other things around the campsite. You will sleep better at night knowing that your main tent zipper was only opened a few times as opposed to having the door opened continuously all day to get "gear" out. This saves the floor of your tent also.


• If you are determined to have a dry tent in a very rainy season or wet campsite. Put a large TARP on the floor of your tent. This will keep most of the floor dry and will make you happy.


• 
  Many people use TARPS on the outside of the tent, under the tent, so they have no messy mud on the bottom of the tent when they are ready to pack up. (YOU can have mud on the floor bottom, underneath, even if it is not raining outside; so use the tarps). IF You use the outdoors tarp under your tent, the tarp must be SMALLER than the bottom of the tent. You do not want any of the tarp sticking outside the tent on the floor. If that happens, all the rain will pool in the small bits of tarp that show and the rain will seep underneath your entire tent.

VITALLY IMPORTANT:

If you are camping at a NEW place for the first time and you have children or babies that you are bringing on this camping trip - PLAN a trip BEFORE your regular camping trip and go there without the children or babies. Camp there alone first.

We did this once, just as a precaution. We didn't know anything about Hecksher and we went camping there first before we planned to take children there. Good Plan!!

What we discovered is that this particular state park is the QUEEN of Mosquito Heaven! Within less then 20 minutes that we were there, we had mosquito bites all over our body. (This doesn't happen at all parks. Hecksher is notorious for mosquitoes and spiders.

So, on the regular trip with the kids, we took lots of repellent and we knew what to do .

So, when camping ANYWHERE with children, visit the site yourself first--without bringing the kids, just in case there is something that you should know about that particular camping site.

Wherever you camp, these things are essential:

• water-tight bags, water proof bags


• flashlights, batteries, or solar flashlights


• plastic bucket or pail


• soap and disinfectant


• bug spray


• tarps/ tent /tarp


• and other camping basics (Read our other articles about camping)


• Water and or the ability to find or locate water (pack iodine water-purifying pills if you can)

We hope you enjoyed this article about camping. In future articles, we will focus on senior camping, camping at the beach, and camping with wildlife -yes, there are many state parks that have bears, and pesky raccoons. Some of our other camping articles feature topics such as how to choose a tent and even which tent to choose. You want to know where the BEST tent is? We have the answer.

Best Tent (In My Opinion): I have tried many different brands of tents, including one brand that had no name. I do have my own opinions about tents. I have been using tents since before 1998. I have tried and tested larger family-type tents, smaller tents, backpacking tents and even beach tents. I have found that my most favorite ones are Eureka tents. (You can get these tents very reasonable at the end of camping season. Try not to pay full price for camping equipment because it is available in larger sporting goods stores and in some department stores. If you wait until end of season to purchase your tents, you will get great discounts.

Read our other articles about camping that will be online in April, 2008.

The author is a creative individual/artist/author, living in the United States of America. She writes to help people become more connected, informed and up-to-date on various subjects and to help dispense good, positive information, entertainment and resources. She has camped out in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and in Ohio, in both public state parks and in private camping grounds across the nation on the east coast. We invite you to write us anytime and all emails will be answered.

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