What to Do Before Leaving for Your Weekend Camping Trip
Camping can be a wonderful pastime. It gets you moving around and spending time out in nature. Of course, you’re most likely to enjoy a weekend camping trip the most if you’ve prepared for it properly. That means there are a few things you need to do before you head out the door.
Reserve a Campground
Lots of people like to camp, which means that it isn’t always easy to find a good campground for your weekend trip, especially if you don’t book something in advance. It’s usually best to reserve a campground at least a few days in advance. If you’re planning to spend your weekend camping trip in a popular area, more advanced planning may be necessary. Planning to camp somewhere new? Check out reviews to see what other people say about the campgrounds. Finding a good camping spot can be a little tricky, but it will be worth the effort.
Pack Your Gear
Once you’ve got your campground sorted out, the next thing to do is to get your gear sorted and packed. Make a list of the gear you need so you don’t miss anything. A tent, tent cover, stakes, sleeping bag, and pad are basic camping essentials. For a weekend camping trip, you’ll also need things like clothes, cooking gear, food, and water. Get everything packed and loaded into your vehicle. A weekend camping trip can mean hauling a lot of gear, which is where larger vehicles like trucks come in handy. A truck bed is a perfect place to store all your gear, especially if it’s outfitted with a camper shell. Camper shells help keep your gear dry while traveling. No one wants to camp with soaking wet equipment.
Plan a Menu
Eating while camping isn’t quite like eating while you’re at home. You don’t have counter space and appliances to use when preparing food as you do at home. Plan meals that are easy to prepare outside. Make sure you have all the camp kitchen essentials you’ll need to prepare the meals you’ve planned. Do yourself a favor and write everything down: the meals, the ingredients, and the cookware and tools you’ll need to make everything. You’ll be glad you did when you’re on your trip.
It’s essential to properly prepare for a weekend camping trip before you leave. Remember to tell someone who won’t be accompanying you on your trip what your plan is. Include information like where you intend to camp and when you expect to be back. That way there is someone who knows roughly where you are and when they should contact emergency rescue services if needed.
Check out this article on how to prepare for a summer family beach trip!