|
Before you wander off into the wilds of the woods (or the wilds of a campground) there are a few things you should probably know. Camping is a lot of fun but if you are not properly prepared, it can be a disaster. These ideas are geared to spring, summer or fall camping and staying at a campground of some sort and not hiking the Appalachian Trail.
After months of a stress-ridden job, you have decided a nice weekend in the woods is in order. It will be a time to relax, breathe some clean air and enjoy the great outdoors. The Boy Scouts said it best when they muttered those immortal words "Be Prepared."
The very first time you go camping, pick a place such as an established campground. You will be out in the woods but still close enough to civilization in case of emergency. The cost is minimal and most sites include a water and electrical hookup. Most places require a reservation but some work on the "first come, first served" basis of campsite occupation. Most bookstores carry "Camping Guides" that list campgrounds and a description of their accommodations. The internet is another source for locating campgrounds. Decide the things you want in a campground, such as swimming, bathrooms, store, etc., and look for camping places that offer those things.
Most campgrounds can accommodate tents and travel trailers. A lot of places discourage "sleep under the stars" campers. I don't know why that is except to think they operate with the same mentality as motel and hotel managers: "if you check in without luggage (or a tent) you must be up to something."
Let's suppose you've decided a weekend of tent camping is for you. That means you will live in a canvas or nylon "home" for a few days. Your bed will be a sleeping bag and perhaps an air mattress. Meals will be cooked outside and unless the weather is a torrential rainstorm, you will eat outside as well.
Things to bring for the kitchen area:
For a few days in the woods, or at a campsite, you won't need much but it is quite different living the great outdoors than living in the comfort of home. I don't think you want to bring your best china and cookware, although I have gone camping and sat around the campfire sipping martinis while the wine chilled in the crystal ice bucket. For the first time it might be best to bring a mess kit, plastic or metal mugs or cups, can opener, cooking utensils, dish detergent, 5 gallon containers for fresh water, pot holders, cooking rack to set on the campfire, cutting board, aluminum foil and wooded matches in a waterproof container. Salt and pepper users can mix both and keep in a waterproof container. Sugar users will want to keep that item in a waterproof container. Bring trash bags and be sure you keep all your trash and garbage bagged. Dispose of it properly and don't leave it for someone else.
For the great outdoors: The most important thing to bring is a first aid kit. Include Band-Aids, gauze pads, tape, implements of splinter removal, first aid crème, anti bug spray, burn crème, sun block, eyeglass repair kit, hydrogen peroxide and it wouldn't hurt to toss in a first aid manual.
In case you have to chop your own, wood bring an axe. Also necessary to bring is a bowie knife and a small camp folding shovel. If you plan to go fishing don't forget your fishing equipment. Binoculars and maps of the area will help you find the places you want to visit and see it better when you get there.
The Menu:
Plan your meals. You should plan for three meals and some snacks. If you plan on doing some hiking or some sort of manual labor in the morning, you better have a good breakfast. If your afternoon plans include a lot of labor intense physical activity a good lunch will be in order. After a full day of being in the great outdoors, a nice dinner is just what you need. For you first time campers it is best to keep things simple. As you do more camping and outdoor activities you will discover how clever you become and find ways to make the seemingly complicated things easier.
Breakfast ideas. Oatmeal is easy to prepare and a nourishing meal. Toast or English muffins are a nice addition but can be tricky if you are cooking on a wood fire. A nice hearty soup is not out of the question for breakfast. Spam and scrambled eggs provides an excellent jump-start to the day. Or if you plan to just enjoy the outdoors from the seat of you pants, coffee and toast will be just fine.
Lunch ideas. My favorite camping lunch is a stick of pepperoni, a block of cheese, dried fruit and water to wash it all down with. Another option is soup and a sandwich or beef jerky and fruit. The simpler the better.
Dinner. After a hard day of hiking or working or just enjoying the day, a good dinner will top off the day. Since the campfire is the place most everyone will congregate for the evening, why not make the most of it and prepare something good? For starters, enjoy a nice cup of soup while roasting some potatoes and corn on the cob. If you went fishing and brought home dinner the aroma of fish cooking in a tinfoil pouch along with onions, peppers and a little garlic powder will make your dinner the envy of all the other campers. Hot dogs and brown bread are easy to cook on a campfire as are ham steaks or burgers. After dinner, when the dishes and pots and pans are washed and put away, toast a few marshmallows and sing a few camp songs.
Snacks. Like at home, have some snacks on hand for a little between meal grazing. Fruit, either fresh or dried is a nice treat. Nutrition bars or granola bars are non-refrigerated items that you can stick in a bag and always have with you. Maybe a handful of pretzels or peanuts will temper that hunger edge until your next meal.
Clothes. Be sure you bring some. You'd be surprised at the comments you will get from other campers when you appear for breakfast in your birthday suit. If the weather is warm, shorts will be fine but if you have some hiking planned, take along a pair of long pants. Tee shirts are comfortable but bring a long sleeved shirt just in case. The evenings might be chilly so bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. If rain is in the forecast or you just want to be prepared invest in a rain poncho. They offer the best overall protection from the elements and allow the highest degree of movement. And they fold up in a nice neat little package. Good socks are a must for complete foot comfort. If hiking is planned, take along a few extra pairs of socks. During hiking, if your feet sweat, you can change into a dry pair of socks, keeping your feet as comfortable as possible. Bring comfortable shoes, boots or sneakers or one of each. If you will be near a swimming facility, don't forget those beach towels and sunscreen.
Where to keep the food. A cooler packed with ice cubes or cold packs will keep things properly chilled for 2 days. If you are camping for the weekend, that is probably enough time. If you are near a river or stream, you can put cans of soda or juice in the water. Or if you have a watertight food chest, you can submerge the entire chest in the water. Just be sure you anchor it properly so it doesn't float down stream. If you are not going to have an ice chest, go to your local camping store and choose from a variety of freeze dried foods that need only be prepared with water.
Entertainment ideas. Bring along a book or a few magazines to read. Or maybe your favorite crossword puzzle book. Even a notebook to note the trials and tribulations of your expedition. There will be times when you will need something to do.
One last bit of advice for campers. No matter where you go, there you are. Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but foot prints
| 
