Camping

Although food is a great way to bond and make your camping trip more enjoyable, be mindful that you will likely eat most of your meals on the go! Preparing ahead of time gives you the proper cooking gear to make your desired meals. Nothing is worse than multiple hungry stares as you explain to the group that you left something behind.

Consider prepping your meals before camping or in the morning before starting the day's activities - you will want to take advantage of daylight! No one wants to be cutting up vegetables from the light of a phone.

Remember to check off all the basics like water (bottled, through a purifier, filter, or out of a camelback), plates, mugs or cups, utensils, pots and pans, knives, cutting boards, and napkins.

All the other things you bring are optional, and you can make this list as minimal or exhaustive as possible. The main thing you need to think about is your stove. Remember to bring propane and extra fuel if you pack a gas grill. If you are getting a fire grill, have an axe or saw, enough firewood or charcoal, fire starters (lots of them!), matches or lighter, and a rack for grilling.

Nature is to be left better than found. Leave nothing behind. Your camp kitchen will need sponges, soap, and towels to clean your cooking supplies. Leftovers can go in a wrap, bag, or Tupperware, and everything else in a trash bag. Research what animals are in the area. You may need to dispose of trash in a specific way to avoid attracting dangerous animals. Additionally, to make cooking easier, bring luxuries like a cooler, extra water jug, tablecloth, napkins, coffee maker, and pot holders.

Before setting out to camp, don’t forget to get the needed permits, research the location, and possible reservations, and obtain a map or track that will lead you to it.

In terms of logistics, print out your permit or reservation if you are camping in a paid campsite or park, bring your ID to prove your identity, and bring your insurance card with you.

To make sure you are on the right track bring a map or GPS, a guidebook, and stay safe with extra food and water. When camping in bear country, store your food in a bear canister and protect yourself with bear spray and a whistle.

Technology is handy in various ways in the wilderness. While unplugging and enjoying nature is a critical part of camping, you will still want your phone in an emergency. If you are injured or need something, it will be your quickest and best communication method.

Are you camping alone? Having your phone is also great for those times you are feeling homesick. Hearing the voice of a loved one makes every mountain, lake, and view that much sweeter. It may be the push you need to get through the rest of the trip! Be aware that you may not have any reception deep in the forest.

With bad cellular service, batteries drain quickly. Keeping your battery full can be done with a charger and portable power option. If you are solo camping, consider downloading podcasts, meditations, or music to enjoy with headphones! And bring a camera. Camping elicits so many memories that you won't want to forget.

When there is no reception, 2-way radio, walkie-talkies, and satellite phones are the way to go, but don't forget the extra batteries.

We are all about excitement here! While nature IS enough, we understand that hours of it days on end can get a little...repetitive. If you want to add that extra excitement to your trip, consider bringing some hobby activities.

If you are into sports, bring a soccer ball or football. Or try your hand at slacklining. There's no better time to give it a go! Have a group of people? Bring cards and games that require minimal pieces to play.

Are you going solo? Camping is a great time to catch up on reading. Cozy in a hammock with a blanket, and knock out a book or two!

You may wonder how on earth you are supposed to stay clean when lying on dust and dirt for days on end. Staying clean throughout your camping trip is one of the first things all newbie campers are worried about. But have no fear! Showers are a staple at most large campsites. All you have to do to stay clean is bring your toiletries! Opting for shower shoes increases hygiene too.

Want to be one with nature? You can also gain the experience of bathing in lakes and rivers. Please note that toiletries for this must be biodegradable, though. That goes for everything you wash with - shampoo, soap, conditioner, anything that will run off into the body of water!

While camping isn't the time you'll win a beauty pageant, you want things to return to normal once you reach civilization. Keeping those pearly whites white will require toothpaste and your toothbrush. Consider toothpaste tablets instead of standard liquid toothpaste.

Apart from that, pack toilet paper and a personal towel. Add your comb, mouthwash, makeup, shaving supplies, feminine products, wet wipes, contacts, WAG bag, and hand sanitizer. It will feel like a star-lit, cool breeze-conditioned home with toiletries like these!

For camping, you will want your finest silks and highest heels...NOT! Camping is a time when comfort and functionality win 100% of the time. It's better to look "ridiculous" in 5 layers than curled up as close to the fire as possible in your cute light jacket.

Bring whatever feels comfortable, but keep cotton minimal because it takes a long time to dry. Even if you plan to avoid doing any water sports, the weather is unpredictable. You may find yourself caught in a rainstorm or accidentally spill a bottle of water on yourself - it happens! I recommend moisture-wicking clothing for every article of clothing.

No matter the weather, bring long and short sleeve shirts. Don't be fooled; it can be cool at night, even if it is hot during the day. Contrary, even if it's cold, you can get hot while hiking and setting up a spot. Always bring sweaters and jackets of all kinds too - light, rain, snow. Bring extra pants, shorts, undergarments, and caps too.

Shoes are a bit tricky, but generally, most people bring hiking boots, sandals, and casual shoes to their camping trips. Having sandals that can double as water shoes, like Tevas or Chacos, is excellent, but bring another pair of sandals or slides. Outdoor sandles made of fabric don't try quickly and can be cold to put back on at night!

If it gets colder, you will need some baselayers and insulation, as well as extra rainwear. Bring rainwear even if the weather doesn't call for it. Mountain and beach storms come and go in the blink of an eye.

Remember your hat and gloves! Having warm hands and feet make all the difference! If you plan on adding extra activities to your days, bring the needed gear like swimwear, nightwear, and your trusted bandana - if nothing else, it makes it look like you know what you're doing in photos!

While you may think all the danger comes in the excursion, taking care of your health and the health of your group doesn't stop when at camp. Minor cuts and health issues still arise on the site. There are many hazards while settling in for the night, like cutting wood, cooking on fire, and being in the general wilderness.

It's essential to bring a first aid kit every time you camp. Having medication like ibuprofen, anti-nausea, allergy medication, and even sleeping aids can make your experience so much more enjoyable too.

Be mindful that there will be bugs. I know, gross! Bring bug spray so you don't spend your whole time swatting them away. Lastly, exposure to the elements is no joke, especially when it's all day. Bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm makes all the difference.

One of the best parts about camping is the food! The smell of a grilling hot dog or the site of graham crackers can teleport you right back to your favorite camping moments. You'll catch yourself grinning at random foods, thinking about all the memories made grilling out by the fire with friends!

Consider the activities you are doing. Make sandwiches and bring nutrient-dense snacks to energize you if you are hiking. Bring chips, fruit, and goodies if you plan to chill out and keep it more like a picnic. Prepare snacks, energy bars, trail mix, and sweets for daytime activities, as well as spices and cooking oil for making food in camp. Some staple camping foods are hot dogs, hamburgers, and of course - smores! Whatever the day's activity, it is always a fun night treat to end your day!

Research to get the proper ration of food needed for all your travel mates. It can be hard to estimate, and while keeping camping minimalistic is preferred, always opt for too much food and water. Once you think you have packed enough water, add a couple more bottles!

Check and see if there is a place to refill water at the campsite. Filling water bottles will significantly cut down your packing load and reduce plastic. Win, win! Consider bringing coffee for the morning too. Campers love to get an early start!

Remember to collect your trash after eating. Nature provides you with lifelong memories. Thank it by following the boy scout rule of always leaving the campground cleaner than you found it.