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Camping: Simple things make all the difference.
By Steven Pike
To maximise your enjoyment when camping, especially in the more remote areas, it pays to be properly prepared. It is usually the simple things that make all the difference.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
One of the things I routinely neglected when I was younger was the sleeping arrangements. I would take a tent, a thin rubber mat and a sleeping bag. Of course, the inevitable result was a cold, uncomfortable night, with a little bit of sleep thrown in.
I tend to be a little more prepared now, especially if my son is tagging along.
A good quality mattress is essential. The air mattresses are popular, but the major disadvantage of these is the poor insulation. They are very cold and condensation on the inside of the mattress can cause bedding to become wet. The way around this is to cover the mattress with a plastic sheet before laying a quilt or blanket over the top. Your sleeping bag goes on top of the quilt and a much warmer night is assured.
Self inflating and 4WD mattresses are now available and these are great. They are more expensive, but they roll up conveniently and have much better insulation properties. They are thin in comparison to air mattresses, but despite this, they are comfortable.
A good quality sleeping bag is a must. Check the temperature rating on the bag and choose one to suit the areas in which you camp. Always choose one that will more than adequately cover the local temperature range.
FOOD and DRINK
This is very important particularly if you have children with you. It is much better to have too much than too little, and everyone's appetite seems to increase when camping out.
You will probably find that, during the day, the kids will be off exploring and will largely forget about eating. When it comes to meal times, however, they will eat like the proverbial horse, so take plenty. Simple meals are the order of the day, with pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs, and casseroles (in the camp oven) always popular. Fish caught and cooked at the site is always good too.
When it some to liquid refreshments, you will also have to stock up, especially if camping in the warmer months. Although eating during the day is generally not a priority, drinking certainly is. Pre-packaged fruit drinks are great for the kids, along with plenty of water. It doesn't really matter what you take, as long as everyone is kept hydrated.
Whilst on the subject of water I will mention that a considerable amount of thought should be given to how much water you will need, for drinking, washing and cooking purposes.
If you are camping at a site with fresh water available then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, in some areas there is little or no water available, so careful planning is a must. This is of utmost importance if it is a very remote area and the amount of water you have could potentially become a survival issue if something was to go wrong.
To keep all the food and drink cool and fresh then a good esky, or cooler, is essential. The bigger the better in this regard and use dry ice to keep it all cool if available. It lasts longer and doesn't leave everything wet. If using ice, then place cold moist towels over the top of the ice and it wall last longer. Keeping the esky or cooler closed as much as possible will keep things cooler longer.
Portable fridges are excellent, but consider the drain on the battery when the car's not running. A dual battery set up is a good idea if you are running a fridge.
FIRST AID
A good first aid kit comes in handy. Although it won't get used much, it's good to have. Stock it with band-aids and antiseptic spray. Nearly every injury a kid suffers when camping can be fixed with a quick squirt from the spray or a patch up with a band-aid. They are a bit like the "magic spray" in soccer. They can fix anything.
Don't forget the insect spray either. It is very useful to keep the flies and mosquitos at bay.
CLOTHING
Although obvious, always dress appropriately and be aware that you are at the mercy of the elements. Wet weather gear, change of clothes and plenty of warm clothing should be carried. Even in summer in can be cold at night and the weather can change very quickly. Nothing dampens your enthusiasm as quickly as being physically uncomfortable.
UTENSILS
Make sure you have the right tools to do the job.
Don't forget the can opener. Tin cans are near impossible to open without one.
If camp fires are allowed then take your own firewood. Take a wood saw to cut the wood up. It is generally more useful than an axe for cutting up wood. Do take an axe though, just in case.
The list is endless, but have enough utensils to cook, clean, wash and eat. A lot of it will boil down to personal choice.
CONCLUSION
Although there are other things to consider getting the basics together is essential. If you are physically comfortable and have enough to eat and drink, then, hopefully, there is nothing left to do but enjoy.
About the Author
Steven Pike spends all of his spare time visiting country areas of his home State, South Australia, taking photographs. His interest in nature extends into the areas of camping and fishing, but his focus is on the magnificence of nature. He hopes to portray some of this beauty in his photographs and encourage people to view their surrounds in a different light.
http://smp.photostockplus.com
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