Camp Outdoors: Ten Questions and Tips to Get Started

| By Roy Rasmussen | Category: Outdoor Activities

When you camp outdoors, you’ll have more fun if you put some serious planning into your trip. Your enjoyment, comfort, and safety will all be affected by your decisions about things like why, where, and when you camp, how you’ll get there, what you choose to sleep in, what you wear and eat, how you will deal with bugs and emergencies, and what recreational activities you plan. Here are ten questions and tips to help guide your decisions and make your camping experience more fun.

Who Will Lead the Trip?

Picking one person to lead and organize a camping trip streamlines the process of making decisions and delegating tasks. Decide early who’s in charge of organization.

What Do We Want to Do?

What are you most interested in doing on your trip?

Outdoor family recreation
Outdoor picnicking
Overnight camping
Practicing wilderness survival skills and experiencing outdoor lifestyles
Hiking
Swimming
Climbing
Observing nature and wildlife
Fishing
Hunting

Where Will We Camp?

If you’re bringing small children on a family camping trip, you’ll need something accessible and entertaining to them instead of a remote camping spot geared towards hiking and wilderness adventure. But if your main interest is hiking and observing nature you may opt for a more secluded spot away from family campers. Or if you’re into fishing but not hiking, you may want a location with easy access to fishing spots.

Another consideration is the level of convenience you need. Some parks have well-maintained shower facilities for example, while others essentially leave you on your own to fend for yourself.

Depending on your needs, there are a number of places you can camp:

Your own backyard
Summer camps run by groups such as churches, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the YMCA, and the YWCA
Private parks and campgrounds
School program campsites
State parks and provincial parks
National parks
International parks

When Will We Camp?

Most people prefer to camp in summer when it’s less cold and swimming is available, but others want to experience the outdoors during other seasons. Some campgrounds are less accessible to public use at certain times of the year. Campgrounds also typically have closing hours on days they’re open. Finally, keep in mind that campgrounds tend to get busiest around major outdoor holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day.

How Will We Get There?

The leader of your camp planning should appoint one person in charge of organizing transportation for all members of your group. They will need to make decisions such as how to procure enough vehicles and when to set out. You should plan to arrive early enough before closing hours that you’re not trying to pitch your tent in the dark. Sometimes this may mean setting out early in the morning instead of starting off after work on a Friday.

What Will We Sleep in?

Your choice of sleeping arrangements will have a major impact on your comfort and enjoyment. Camping gear sleeping options include:

Recreational vehicles like pop-up campers, travel trailers, van conversions, pickup campers, and motor homes
Cabins
Tents, which can be just big enough to slide a sleeping bag in or as big as your bedroom
Hammocks
Sleeping bags

What Will We Eat?

Some people may enjoy cooking outdoors. But if you want to spend more time on an activity such as hiking or fishing, pack foods that minimize preparation time like picnic food for family gatherings or prepackaged meals for backpacking expeditions. This is a biggie, so plan carefully to have enough on hand for three meals plus snacks and beverages for every person on the trip per day.

What About Bugs?

Wearing light clothes rather than dark clothes will make you less of a target for mosquitoes. You should also bring a premium bug repellant.

What About Emergencies?

Like the Boy Scouts, be prepared. Learn important camp out skills: n addition to bug repellant, bring a first aid kit, sunscreen, rain gear and tarp, navigational equipment to help you find your way if you get lost, and a cell phone for communication. And know how to avoid and handle potential problems like sunburn, hypothermia, poison ivy, bugs, bears, and snakes.