Contributed by Personal Creations Blog
You’ve been looking forward to this for a while. A long weekend of camping with your family, who get to learn about nature by being a part of it for a couple of nights. The lack of bathroom and shower facilities will certainly come as a shock to them, especially if you have younger kids, but the experience will be well worth it.
The idea of “roughing it” has always had a certain pull to it, but even when you’re blending yourself in with the elements for two nights, there are still a lot of necessities to bring along. This doesn’t even include knowing how to pitch a tent or make a fire, which will be explained here as well. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll feel like an expert.
Setting Up Camp
Whether an expert or beginner, we’ve all struggled with those tent poles before. But we have some advice that will hopefully make it a little easier this time out.
Do’s and Don’ts
Select flat ground void of rocks and other debris.
Your campsite should be at least 100 feet away from any rivers or streams.
Should there be windy conditions, have the people you’re with act as weights.
Pay attention to the ground surface; extra weight on the stakes may be necessary if the ground is soft.
Set up your tent so that the doors/vents are along the prevailing wind direction. This will help with ventilation.
Campfire
Few things compare to nestling up next to a campfire in the wilderness armed with only graham crackers and chocolate. However, it’s important to maintain safety when building one and putting it out. Here’s how to put together a campfire as well as some helpful safety tips.
Do’s and Don’ts
Many campsites require a permit to build a fire. If this is the case, be sure you have one.
Use an existing fire ring, rather than creating a new one. Add rocks around it if necessary.
Select an open, level ground away from overhanging branches, dry grass and any other forest litter.
When putting the fire out, drown it with water, then mix the ashes and embers with soil. Scrape any hot embers off sticks.
Feel the ground where the fire was. If it is still too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Continue with pouring water over it and mixing it with soil until the site is cool to the touch.
List of Necessary Items:
Now that you have some basic camping knowledge, you can get out in the wilderness. Always be prepared, bring plenty of dry socks and leave only your footprints. And don’t forget your personalized outdoor gear. Happy camping!