Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Tips from pros keep new campers happy
Experience shared can be lessons learned
The bright green leaves of spring usher in camping season across the Ozarks.
Days are warming, but temperatures cool enough at night for a crackling campfire. Favorite campsites at Beaver Lake, state parks and private campgrounds are calling.
Over the years we’ve asked experienced campers to share their camping tips with those who may be pitching a tent for the first time. We’ve gathered quite a collection and offer some here. Call it “Greatest Hits of Camping Tips” or “Tent Life with no Strife.” Campers of all stripes should find some helpful hints.
• Take your first camping trip close to home to find out if camping is for you. Review the location’s need-to-know information regarding pets, check-in times and more.
• Make a check list of all items for your trip. After packing, file the list away and use it for future camping trips.
• If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before taking it camping.
• Bring the fun like a football, Frisbee and bikes. Have board games, cards and (gasp!) video games to keep kids occupied on a rainy day. Find out what activities are available near your campsite.
• Always pack rain gear even when no rain is expected.
• Be a courteous camper. Respect your campground neighbors and all posted rules. Pack out what you pack in and follow Leave No Trace principles.
• Do as much meal preparation as possible at home, such as slicing vegetables or preparing side dishes and salads. This makes cooking in camp easier.
• Camp during the week if possible. Campgrounds are most crowded on weekends.
• If you use a ground cloth under your tent, be sure it ‘s not sticking out beyond the tent floor. Otherwise it will funnel water under the tent floor.
• There’s no need for a ground cloth. “I used the same tent regularly for 25 years and the floor never wore out. If it did, I’d have years worth of camping memories in that tent,” one tipster said.
• Sleep with the same number of pillows when camping as you do at home.
• If you sleep on an inflatable mattress, take a spare or at least have a patch kit in the event of a puncture. If a battery operated pump is used to inflate it, flip one of the batteries upside down so the pump doesn’t accidentally turn on when stored and drain the batteries.
• Gathering little items before each trip takes time. Keep a plastic tote or camp box handy that has all small essential items such as two lighters (one to use and one to lose), cooking items, silverware, flashlight, duct tape and first aid kit. A small sewing kit is good to have. Replenish items as they’re used so the box is ready for the next outing.
• Pack charcoal lighter for getting a fire going if wood is wet.
• Store camping gear in a little used room at home such as a formal dining room or spare bedroom, preferably close to an outside door. This makes packing and unpacking easier.
• Don’t scatter your ice in a cooler. Keep ice in the bag. It’ll last much longer.
• Rinse plastic milk jugs, fill them with water threefourths full and freeze. Use these instead of bagged ice in your cooler. They lasts longer and eventually melts into icecold drinking water.
• Soy milk keeps longer in camp than dairy milk. It can be used the same as dairy milk in any recipe.
• Put coolers, food boxes and trash inside your car before going to bed. Critters can’t bother them there.
• Before taking kids on their first camping trip, schedule a night camping in the backyard. This will help children gain confidence in the tent, sleeping bag and sleeping outdoors.
• A campsite near water is great for kids. They can amuse themselves for hours along a creek bank or lake shore.
• Involve kids in planning and preparing. Kids learn important life lessons when studying maps, preparing food and selecting their own clothing to take.
• Don’t feel like you need a scheduled activity to fill every minute of the day. Relax and enjoy.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at fputthoff@nwaonline.com when he’s not camping.