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Home | Travel & Leisure | Outdoors Treat every camping trip like it's your first, even if you've camped many times before. Your wilderness adventure can quickly turn to disastrous or even dangerous if you're not prepared for anything. To make your trip as safe and fun as possible, make a checklist of everything you need before you hit the trail. There are no corner stores in the forest, and no neighbors to provide those forgotten items. Plan Before You Pack Give yourself time to pack, rather than throwing together the essentials at the last minute. Make a list of everything that you want and need, as well as those "just in case" items. As you pack, check each item off of your list to be sure you're not overlooking anything. There are so many things to think about; sometimes this is the only way to make sure you've got all of your must-have camping gear. Gimme Shelter One surefire way to turn a camping trip from paradise to purgatory is to pack shoddy bedding and poor shelter. You need to be warm, dry and comfortable when camping. Sleeping under the stars might seem romantic, until you find yourself exposed to rain, frost, insects or curious four-legged creatures that may visit during the night. Bring along proper shelter that will keep you safe and secure. Bring enough blankets to stay warm and for heavens sake, don't forget your pillow. Camping Essentials for Every Body No one cares what you look like in the forest, so you don't need to bring hair gel or eyeliner. You will, however, need to bring insect repellant, sunscreen, and toilet paper. You might also want to bring soap, a hairbrush, shampoo, toothbrush and other personal care essentials. Make sure that everything, particularly towels and toilet paper, are packed in water-resistant bags. Clothes Pack a clean change of clothing for each day that you will be at camp, and then pack a few extra items. Camping can be dirty business, and those little surprises like rain and dust can mean an even bigger mess. If you have a supply of fresh water and a length of rope on hand, you can always wash and dry your laundry at camp. It's a lot easier, however, to just pack extra. The temperatures can drop dramatically at night, even during the hottest months, so bring along a couple of warm shirts, extra socks and long pants for those cool evenings by the campfire. Campsite Medicine Cabinet The Golden Rule of Scouting is "Always Be Prepared". Follow this rule and make it your priority to pack any and all medications and first aid supplies that you may need at camp. Your daily medications, vitamins and pain relief pills are essentials. If you suffer from allergies, bring allergy relief medication or an epi-pen. Don't forget the bandages, ointment, scissors and a sharp outdoor knife. Pack everything into a waterproof bag and keep it handy at all times. Campfire Cooking There is nothing as delicious as a meal cooked over an open flame, and nothing more frustrating than forgetting your matches. Be sure that you have everything you need to prepare and cook your outdoor feast. Pack a clean grill, tongs, spoon and a metal spatula. You'll need a bowl for mixing food, a cutting board, paper plates (not plastic), cups, silverware, aluminum foil, biodegradable dish soap and linens. If you'll be fishing, remember to bring a sharp filet knife and an iron frying pan. Remember to bring garbage bags to clean up camp at the end of your stay and for heaven's sake, don't forget to bring lots of matches in a waterproof container. Camping can be a fun and relaxing way to spend time. Plan ahead, pack what you need, and it will be the time of your life. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Conroy Keight is a regular columnist for a variety of today's best web magazines, such as kemop.com and gemug.com.
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