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Experience the Outdoors

Ian Harwood

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Camping is a great way to relieve some stress and spend time enjoying the great outdoors. You can do it by yourself or as a family. Some children complain about being taken from their video games or television programs, but the experience is one they will remember a long time.

You don’t have to be an avid outdoorsman or spend a lot of money to go camping. With proper equipment such as a good tent, warm sleeping bag, and good food you will be fine. If it’s your first time out, pick a spot that’s not too far, maybe about an hour away. Check the internet for the best locations and pre-book your spot to avoid disappointment when you get there. Most sites have attractive locations such as a lake, ocean, or a river close by that you can plan hikes together. This will provide family activates for the day.

A good tent can make the trip that more enjoyable. If you don’t own one then here a few things to know about them, A-frame tents are usually smaller and can sleep two or three. They have a screened door and a small screened window to keep mosquitos out. Remember to close the door after entering or exiting, or you will be sleeping with them. Most A-framed tents come with a fly which is waterproof material to cover the outside of the tent. If you’re camping on the coast, bring a heavy duty tarp to help with the rain. Dome tents utilize flexible poles that provide a strong structure when completed and can withstand stronger winds. You can also have larger dome tents that can you can separate into rooms with hanging walls. Cabin style tents are much heavier but provide much more headroom and more space, the downside to these tents are they are heavy, so plan on driving right to your campsite, and you will be ok. I recommend shopping around to see the tent that best fits your needs remembering you need enough space for your family and gear.

A sleeping pad or air mattress will help make a good sleeping bag feel more comfortable. Be sure to purchase one that is full length, so you are not constantly rolling off during the night. Preparing food is important to any good camping trip. Make sure you set up your stove in a level area to avoid any mishaps. If it’s your first time, then bring foods that are simple to make. A typical propane stove has two burners and a propane tank attached to the side. These are easy to clean and just as easy to pack away. Remember to bring lots of garbage bags so you can either take it home with you or use proper facilities at your campsite. Be sure to put your food away in your car preferably to not attract unwanted animals. Clean the area before you go to give the next person the same experience you enjoyed on your camping adventure.