Before the trip: what to bring and what to do
One of the most popular questions we get is, “What should I pack for my camping trip?” And while, yes, the list of what to bring is a very important part of preparing for a successful campout, so is the list of what to do.
Figure Out Fuel
One of the biggest mistakes people make is being over-prepared on fuel. They bring three, sometimes four propane tanks, when they only really need one, maybe two. Figure out how long you’ll actually be cooking on your stove, and then calculate how much fuel you’ll really need. The more money you save on gas, the more you can put toward better food. And really, doesn’t a tender T-bone sound better than ground chuck any day?
Cook Before You Camp
It may sound like cheating, but cooking anything you can beforehand will save you time, money and energy. Say you plan to make tacos on at the campsite, browning your hamburger on your home stove will save you threefold: the fuel you’d use on your portable stove, the time it takes to do it and the energy you’d use to clean up when all you really want to do is sit around the campfire telling stories.
Pack In Reverse
We were reminded of this tip from one of our Facebook followers. DeRonda packs everything she needs last, first and moves up so that the things she needs right away are immediately available. It makes sense. When the tent is right in front of the car trunk or truck tailgate, you don’t have to spend time moving coolers and clothes to get to it. Taking a couple minutes to think about what you’ll need when will save you time and frustration when you get there.
Add To the List After The Campout
No matter how prepared you are this go-around, there will always be that one thing you want to remember to make the next experiences, better, easier or more memorable. Copy and paste a general camping list to your computer, then, depending on the way you like to camp, get rid of the stuff you don’t need and add the things you do. Another one of our Facebook followers, Melissa, does this and likes it so much she made it her one recommendation to first-time campers.
So now it’s your turn to play Boy Scout. Leave your comments on our Facebook page. How do you make sure you’re always prepared at the campsite? What do you do at home to ensure happiness at the campsite?