Camping gear
Camping can be a lot of FUN! Especially if you're organised!
Tents
There are three basic styles of family tents:
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Dome-style. These are strong and resist wind and rain well. On the other hand, they have less headroom and usable space because of the slope of the walls. |
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Tunnel-style. These provide excellent stability if pitched end-on to oncoming winds. However, when they are pitched the other way, they are much less stable. Typically made up of two or more poles running the width of the structure, this shape makes for much better interior space and head room. The tents are not freestanding and must be anchored and guyed out securely. |
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Cabin-style. They have the most space and headroom. They're easy to get into and out of, some even have room dividers. However, they can be harder to put up and may not be as reliable in extreme weather. |
When choosing a tent consider the following:
- Togetherness can be great, but don't overdo it. Make sure the family's tent is big enough; each person needs at least 2 square meters of space and choose a tent that could hold at least one more person than you'd expect. If you camp with children, the tent may be a living room as well as bedroom - especially if it rains. You'll want space for the children to play games, read and move around.
- Consider how compactly the tent and poles fold and whether they will fit into your vehicle.
- Vertical space can be almost as important as horizontal. Do you want everyone to be able to stand up inside the tent? Do you care if adults can stand only in the middle? Will people need room to change clothes?
- How is it to setup the tent? Most tents have poles on the outside, which leaves more room inside. The difficulty depends largely on how many poles are involved. The fewer the poles, the easier to set up. Most poles are segmented and held by shock cords so they can be folded for storage. It's easier to attach poles to the fabric by clips than to thread poles through fabric sleeves, but sleeves make the structure stronger. Some tents have a combination of clips and sleeves.
- Letting moisture out of the tent is vital. Condensation from people's breathing and wet clothes and gear can gather inside a tent, with drenching results. Ventilation is important, especially in summer. Look for ceiling vents and plenty of mesh panels in doors and windows.
- The family is snugly tucked into the tent, and there's enough room for everybody. But what about all the boots, shoes, daypacks, jackets and other gear? A vestibule is a great addition, like your mudroom or porch back home. This separate area for storage may stand alone or be built into the rainfly.
Sleeping
The main choice in sleeping bags is between synthetic fill or down. Down is lighter in terms of a weight-to-warmth ratio and is more compact. However, only synthetic fills will maintain their shape and warmth even when wet. Down turns into a heavy, soggy, cold mess that takes forever to dry out.
Next is to decide on the temperature rating for your sleeping bag. A three-season sleeping bag should see you through a frosty morning in spring or autumn and not overheat you during a warm night. If you are doing winter camping, then a sleeping bag rated to below -5 degrees is better. Make sure the sleeping bag you choose fits your personal dimensions and size.
A welcome addition is to have a sleeping mat which provides cushioning and insulation. Their is a huge range of sleeping mats on the market. If you have space select a larger mattress for more luxurious sleeping comfort.
Clothes and Footwear
Clothing to take with camping includes:
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Quick-drying pants or shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Sun-shielding hats
- Swimsuits
- Bandanas or buffs
- Hiking Boots
- Socks
- Long underwear
- Sleepwear
- Insulating jacket or vest
- Insulated pants
- Gloves or mittens
- Rainwear
- Clothesline with clips
- Water sandals
- Sandals
Kitchen
Kitchen & cooking equipment should include:
- Matches or lighter
- Charcoal
- Grill rack
- Frying pan
- Cook pots
- Pot grabber
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Food-storage containers
- Resealable storage bags
- Trash bags
- Tablecloth and clips
- Coolers
- Plates, bowls, mixing bowls
- Mugs/cups
- Utensils
- Paring knife
- Spatula
- Cutting board
- Biodegradable soap
- Pot scrubber
- Water container
Food
Ideas of foods to pack are:
- Coffee
- Cereal
- Eggs
- Breakfast bars
- Butter or margarine
- Bread
- Meat
- Soup packets
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Tea
- Milk
- Drink mixes
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Chips
- Chocolate and sweets
- Marshmallows
- Herbs & Spices
First Aid
A basic first aid should always be taken with when camping and the items to take include:
- Your personal medication
- Bandages
- Plaster strips
- Sterile gauze
- Antiseptic wipes
- Tissues
- Pain relievers - Tylenol/Panado/Aspirin
- Antiseptic cream
- Sunburn lotion
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Eye wash/eye drops
- Mosquito repellent
Hygiene
Below are the basic items to include:
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush, toiletry kit
- Brush/comb
- Soap
Fun Stuff
Fun things to take camping include:
- Playing cards
- Kites
- Glow sticks
- Frisbee
- Puzzles (crosswords, etc.)
- Board games
- Rugby/Soccer Ball