Camping Sites

Your camping experience can be satisfying beyond your wildest dreams, with a little planning and foresight.  Many camping reference books, such as Woodall’s, Good Sam Clubs, Jellystone and KOA offer information directories to make your job easier when planning your next camping trip.  Jellystone Campgrounds, for example, cater to children and offer many activities to keep them involved.  Other sites gear their camping facilities to an older crowd.  Often overlooked, State and County campgrounds offer reasonable camping with  many activities that include hiking, swimming, bird watching and the like.  Do some research, either in your local library, through your telephone directory, or online to pick the best fit for your camping needs.  There are different sites for different tastes at many of these campgrounds.  If you have a pop-up, RV, Fifth Wheel or trailer, you will probably want to find a roomy site that has full hook-ups.  These sites usually have water, sewer, electric and, often, cable. 

However, if you are tent camping you may prefer to “rough it” and pick a site that is more wooded, and away from other campers.  These less accessible sites generally have only electric, although some can be had with water, as well.  Be sure to pick a level spot to pitch your tent and make sure there is a bathroom/shower nearby.  Also, be sure to check the availability of a picnic table on your tent site, as many tenters do not carry tables and chairs along.

Choosing the Right Camping Gear

The right camping gear is essential.  For those of you who have never taken the plunge, this list may be helpful when packing.  Camping gear can be found in most major retail stores, online stores, and from local garage sales and thrift shops.  There are several RV and Camping Showrooms who also carry a full line of camping gear.  The equipment you need will depend on the type of camping you plan to do.  For example, if you are camping in an RV, pop-up, or trailer, you most likely have most of your camping gear stored inside your rig, making it easy to just pack necessities before you leave.  If you are tenting this would be another thing altogether.  Here is the list I check off when tent camping:

• Tent, screen tent, poles, stakes, tarp, hammer, portable gill and gas canisters
• Pans, dishes, portable camp stove, utensils, dishpans, dish soap, tablecloth
• Flashlights, lanterns, first aid kit, charcoal and charcoal starter, coffeepot
• Rug, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, cots, matches or portable butane lighter
• Marshmallow sticks, Tonka Pie Makers, broom & dustpan, mosquito repellant
• Rain gear, lawn chairs, card games, camera, washcloths and towels
• Personal items, clothing, sweatshirts or jackets, flip flops, hiking shoes

This is the majority of my list, which I keep packed in totes in the garage until we leave again.  Be sure everything is dry and clean before you put it away.  It’ll be much easier the next time you go!

Tent Camping

Tent camping can be a very enjoyable experience.  There are a few basic rules you must follow to be sure your time is fun.  Most of us have gone tent camping at one time or another in our lives.  Many of us have graduated to pop-ups, trailers, fifth wheels or RVs.  However, there are some perks that tent camping has over other modes of outdoor recreation.  They include:

• ·      Able to set up in almost any location
• ·      Portable
• ·      Fun for kids
• ·      Affordable
• ·      Great way to see if you like to camp
• ·      Easy to find used tent camping supplies online or locally

Although many people like the comforts of home while they camp and find other modes to be best for them, there is a joy in “roughing it” that is only gained by setting up a tent for the first time, cooking over an open campfire, and listening to the bullfrogs and crickets under a canopy of stars.   What child (or adult) doesn’t revisit again and again the memories of making their first s’more, singing songs around a campfire, gathering wood, carrying water, and snuggling in a sleeping bag for the night.  There are many places that can only be visited on foot or by boat and tent camping lends itself well to these activities.