Camping Tips

The following camping tips and suggestions represent the collective wisdom of countless campers and camping trips over the years. So often we learn things the hard way; hopefully, these little tidbits will save you time, energy and improve your overall camping experience.

Recommended reading "Bloopers" article as that is the prequel for this article.  You just got to read about some of the situation we have gotten ourselves into and gotten out of.  This is where a sense of humor will make or break campers.

Do you have a helpful tip or bit of advice that we can add to our list? Email us with your camping tip!  We'll be happy to add it to our list.  campfire1292@aol.com   Also, Had a problem???? - tells us we may have a solution.

GENERAL CAMPING AND HIKING TIPS

Campsites

-Make sure someone back home knows your itinerary
- Choose level ground if at all possible
- Get to the site early, get the best selection, have a relaxation time before dinner or explore the area
- Shade is a huge plus – out of the hot sun

- Bring a shade/rain tarp with poles, stakes, & cord
- Water supply close by or have a filter/purifier
- Restroom facilities are also close by

- Access to nearby recreational facilities
- Adequate facilities for trash disposal or pack it out
- Parking close to the campsite
- Plenty of available firewood (bring some with you), hint: pick up some along side the road.
- Security and quiet hour considerations
- Avoid stagnant water that can breed insects that bite

Backpacking
- Make sure someone back home knows your itinerary
- Don't leave valuable items in your car or in sight

- Dig a small Latrine at least 250 feet from streams and running water and your campsite or the trail; you don’t want those flies near your food.

-Footwear is critically important
- Pack extra socks
- Dress in layers
- It always rains, pack foul weather clothing, don’t skimp on this.
- Pack most frequently used items on the top of your pack
- Use trekking poles
- If possible, stick to the trails
- Always pack a map and compass and or GPS

- If really going off the beaten path or very remote area take a Personal Locator (SPOT), GPS, Map & Compass and Area Maps if available.

 - Filter any water you don't bring with you or is potable. Prefilter with a coffee filter and a funnel.
- Conserve your energy
- Pack extra snack items like trail mix
- Try to have at least one hot meal a day
- Pack some kind of signaling device like a Mirror or a Loud Whistle
- Pack a whistle
- Store your food in zip lock bags and stow it up in trees away from your site
- Use biodegradable soap away from any waterway or stream
- Pack a first aid kit with duct tape and a blister kit
- Pack an extra plastic trash bags for who knows what but you'll find a use for them
- Air out your sleeping bag in the morning
- Don't feed the animals they will become dependent and pesky
- Bring extra batteries
- Pack a headlight, you'll be glad you did, great for hand free tasks, color lights decrease bugs
- Avoid crossing streams alone
- Hike with friends if at all possible

General Tips and Advice
- Always bring a roll of duct tape
- Bring extra plastic trash bags
- Place a throw rug in front of your tent entrance
- Baking soda is useful for cleaning and deodorizing, keep in Zip  Lock bag                                                                  - Have some baking powder for you Chili or other gaseous foods; just a pinch will neutralize a meal for all. Trust this idea and your tent will smell better in the morning and your partner won't feel like they need a bath.
- Metal rods for hanging plants work great for lanterns
- Bring extra zip lock bags
- Bring pictures of your Partner and kids in case you get separated, for rescue personnel
- Glow sticks always come in handy
- Be security conscious with your valuables
- Avoid playing loud music in camp areas
- Pack tools for minor repairs
- You should have something to cut firewood (Saw)
- Bring an extra pair of your prescription eye glasses
- Keep your tent windows at least partially open during the day, with all screen doors shut.  It will keep the criders out.
- Pack lightweight long johns even in the summer
- Premeasure food ingredients and store in zip lock bags
- Make sure you have extra toilet paper in a waterproof bag and paper towels
- Don't forget a can opener and a multipurpose knife
- Include toothpicks and dental floss
- A couple of old towels can really be useful
- Pack extra insect spray, its expensive at camp ground stores
- Paperbacks are better than hard cover books at a campsite

BE CONSIDERATE AND LEAVE YOUR CAMPSITE JUST THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND IT

 Planning

 Plan you trip as to where you are going.  Plan your meals and how you’re going to prepare them.  

Packing should be logical as to when you’ll need things. Example always put rain gear at the top of your pack, snacks convenient, and water easily accessible.  Think it out regardless if your packing a backpack or packing a canoe or a vehicle.

This is where a Camping List comes in handy.  It’s a nice reminder list of things you’re going to need.  See “Camping List Article”

 Pillow stuff cloths into a tee shirt and tie the shirttails together.

 Headlamp is most useful at night.  You have both hands free to do tasks. If you are in a bug area try to acquire a headlamp with a green or red or yellow light in them, as they won’t attract as many bugs.

 Always have extra toilet paper in a waterproof bag, as back up.

Know a little about plants, Especially Poison IVY, SUMAC, OAK.  Another one to watch is 5 Minute Itch (I don't know what its real name is but I know what it looks like.  Not a big deal but for 5 minutes you will itch like crazzzzy.  A good time for a swim.  It goes away a few minutes especially if you can toughen it out and leave it alone for a few minutes.

Insect Control- Avoid dark cloths, black, navy blue, deep red, use light colors or light naturals colors.   Avoid perfume especially flowery scents and deodorants.  Non-scented anti-perspirants are ok.  For some people Perspiration attracts insects so do those types of heavy tasks during non-buggy times.  

The Drug Solutions- Some claim that Vinegar Pills help, start a couple of days earlier to have it built up in your system before you get there.  B-Complex same story.  Therma-cellan area of effect solution usually 12-15 feet.   Anything with Lemon or Eucalyptus, I hear works.  A DNR Officer once gave us a hint but we are not supposed to tell anyone- or he'll have to kill us.  But what the heck (Fabric Softener Sheets, Bounce brand.)  They WORK but avoid sweaty Situations where they are Fair.  Rub the sheets on exposed areas and or ware one in a bandana or hat under the brim or tucked overlapping your pants waistband.  We tried that idea last summer with good results except for 1 out of 7.  So, I guess we are wanted Dead Or Alive Now.  While we normally do not camp in serious bug territory, we will try to experiment to see what works and what doesn't.  However, we live in a swamp - humm.  We will see.

Tip !!! :  You know that cellophane wrap they use on Easter baskets and Fruit baskets.  Well wrap your BATTERY LANTERNS ONLY with it and they will draw fewer bugs.  DO NOT Wrap Gas Lanterns, They might ignite and could cause an explosion.   This is a temporary solution so you might have to wrap several times a season.  Also Greens, and Yellows are best but blue or red will work better than nothing.

This is going to be on going article with updates form time to time.

Chuck Milburn and other contributors.  

The Camping Team & Chucks add ons

The Camping Team & Chucks add ons