Itching To Go Camping?
As spring is in the air and it starts to warm up, I start to think about camping. How about you? So, I went into the garage and opened the cabinets where I keep all my camping gear and started to go through it. What do I need to replace? What needs to be replenished? Take out the sleeping bags and air them out. You know….all that stuff you know you should do but never get around to it. Well I had the “itch” so that’s what I do to scratch it.
I also start to think of where and when I’m going camping. In my mind, with the economy the way it is, camping is still the cheapest way to take your family on a vacation. And with all the tips and tricks on TheCampingGuy website and blog to refer to, you will have a fun time without breaking the bank.
So I thought I would put together a small checklist of things you can do to prepare for the ’09 camping season!
1. Check to make sure everything works - stove, lantern, fresh batteries in flashlights, refill propane tanks, buy more propane canisters, etc.
2. Make sure you’ve got all your cooking gear in shape. Is everything clean or did you forget to clean that pot of spaghetti before you put your cook kit into storage? Check everything that’s in your cook kit or make one by going here.
3. Check the tent for rips, check poles, pent pegs. If you need to do some repairs, here’s a repair kit that I use. If you’re ambitious, this is a good time to apply some seam sealer to the tent. Check out how - right here. This will also give you a chance to set up the tent, air it out, and sweep it out. Then you know you’re tent is ready.
4. Replenish your basics like: matches, propane, soap, paper towels, aluminum foil, firewood, fire starters, water filters, paper cups, plates, etc.
After this you’ve got most of the preparation complete and you’re ready to start the season. So go ahead, sit back and dream about the places you’re going to camping to this year.
Happy Camping!!
Tags: camping 101, camping equipment, camping gear, camping kits, camping tips, cook kit, tent repair kitIf you liked this post, buy me a coffee.
Angie said,
May 11, 2009 @ 8:44 am
Well, we had to scratch the itch too and went on a camping trip this past weekend. It rained buckets overnight - the hardest rain I’ve ever camped in. Just a few leaks in the camper seams… I’m off to check out that seam sealer right now!
Lori said,
May 23, 2009 @ 6:56 am
we just took our first camping trip of the seasoon and i realized there are some things that i need to my packing list that i evidently thought were “too obvious” to include — because those were the things i forgot!
Steve Mills said,
May 28, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
I am looking forward to getting out camping as well. We are planning a trip around Australia, taking our kids with us to show them this amazing country
Julie said,
June 4, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
Thought you might enjoy another tip for camp cooking. I was thinking about trying out our new camping oven and brainstorming ideas of what I could cook in it. Muffins, cookies, brownies, etc. That all sounded great but I thought what a pain it would be to have to wash out the mixing bowl in camp conditions…..then I thought why not use a gallon sized zip lock bag, add all the ingredients (I would probably use a pouch of mix for muffins or brownies anyway) and turn the kids loose mooshing and mixing it in the bag. Then when the batter was ready and mixed I’d cut off a lower corner on the bag and use that to fill muffin cups or pans (sorta like a pastry bag like bakers use to decorate cakes). This bag idea would also work great for pancake batter I think. Then you get to throw away the mess no clean up!
My VianetWebzone Website » Blog Archive » A Few Quick Links to Useful Sites said,
June 5, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
[…] http://www.thecampingguy.com/blog/itching-to-go-camping/ This is a simple, succinct list of inspections, repairs, and replacements you may need to check your gear with as you prepare to hit the trail this year…. […]
HOT PEPPER said,
June 8, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I think these are all very good suggestions for going camping. I have always been a fan of summer camping. It is always a good idea to make sure that you protect your self as well. Putting all your food away at the end of every use, making sure you understand the environment and animals that surround the site of where you are camping. These are all good things to educate yourself about before taking a camping trip somewhere, especially when you are going camping with children!
James said,
July 12, 2009 @ 4:25 am
Great tips. I actually love it when you’re camping and it’s raining, the sound of water on canvas is really soothing! Of course this doesn’t apply if you have a leak…
Tina said,
July 17, 2009 @ 4:46 am
Hi, I have done a lot of camping travelling Australia I find it very important to use a checklist and most of our camping equipment is kept separate so it is easier to check what needs to be fixed or cleaned etc.
Amar said,
August 27, 2009 @ 11:56 pm
Hi, I have itchy feet as well and love to travel, your uneasiness has rekindled my impulse also…………..
Car Fridge said,
August 31, 2009 @ 1:33 am
I love camping. I prefer car camping over everything. Anyways, i liked this post very much and found it helpful. Your tips will be useful for everyone who loves living under the blue. This will help everyone to make their camping more organized.
Greg GOrman said,
November 4, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
I bought the Hoodoo3 and was slightly disappointed, it wasn’t up to the standards of some of the other tents I have owned in the past. My favorite being the Msr Hubba Hubba Tent I would recommend you do a review on the hubba hubba, I know your readers will love it!
-Gregory
Jacob Vanderwalker said,
January 3, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
I can not wait for the camping festival season. This post is very helpful, I plan to use the list when going through my camping supplies next weekend. Hopefully I’ll be able to purchase some cool new gear as well. Have fun in the outdoors.
Jacob
Caravan said,
January 4, 2010 @ 10:03 am
I can’t wait to get out camping again. Unfortunately the current spate of bad weather is keeping me indoors. I wouldn’t normally be put off but it is particularly bad for this time of the year,