Camping Basic Tips

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants (known as campers) leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, cabin, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all.

Camping as a recreational activity became popular in the early 20th century. Campers frequent national parks, other publicly owned natural areas, and privately owned campgrounds. Camping is a key part of the program of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting. It is used to teach self-reliance and team work.

Camping is also used as a cheap form of accommodation for people attending large open air events such as sporting meetings and music festivals. Organizers often provide a field and other basic amenities.

Always Follow these Six Essential Camping Tips:

* LET SOMEONE KNOW Inform someone of your camping plans including the location, even if you're going out for just one night. An unexpected accident in the middle of nowhere with one night's supply of food could lead to dire consequences if noone knows where to look for you.


* EXTRA CLOTHING Ever experienced hypothermia? I have. Please don't get caught in a storm during your camping or hiking trip without any dry clothes to put on. Even in summertime a violent hailstorm can make temperatures drop to well below comfortable levels, so come prepared and wrap some warm backup clothing in a waterproof dufflebag or similar.


* CHECK THE WEATHER It is absolutely vital to check the weather forecast well before departing on a camping trip. Mother Nature can be surprisingly violent with hail that will penetrate your tent, flash floods, snow, or winds that can easily blow your tent - and possibly you - away. Furthermore, camping is generally just no fun with crappy weather.
Check starting 5 days before your planned departure date and check every day... never slack off because today's weather is great, as tomorrow could be the exact opposite.


* WATER Especially in countries like Australia, you simply must have fresh drinking water available. When spending more than a couple of days out in the wild, it's highly advisable to take at least two five-gallon containers with fresh water.


* FOOD Another essential item in addition to water. Depending on where you're going and how you intend to get there (hike or drive?) will determine what foods to take. Certain Camping Grounds might have a small store so you can get yourselves some fresh supplies, but don't presume or rely on this and always bring backup food just in case.

Keep in mind that you don't want to take a fridgeful of steaks if you're planning on hiking in remote areas. Dried fruits, beef jerky, nuts, and special high energy bars are your best bet as they are lightweight but high in nutrients.


* FIRE Another danger of summertime (and winter time in some places) camping are ... fires. If you build a campfire, make sure you control it beyond what's needed... well beyond. Clear an area of at least 18 feet around your fire. You'd be surprised how a sudden gust of wind can let embers fly and flames crawl in a flash with no way of stopping it.
You wouldn't want to be the cause of the next major fire to hit California, Florida, or wherever now would you?

Also be aware of your surroundings at all times. Sudden thick smoke can be a fire up ahead. Even if you think the fire is still far away, keep in mind that fire has the potential to travel at dangerous speeds, especially in very dry conditions.