AVOID the camping nightmare of having to beg, borrow or steal from your Camping Neighbour because you weren’t prepared
The BEST way to thoroughly enjoy your next camping trip is to be prepared and double check everything is packed and in good working order.
We’ve all been there and done that, so we have prepared this very EASY and SIMPLE checklist to make sure you remember your next camping trip for all the RIGHT reasons.
Take the time before your next camping trip to set your camp gear up at home in the back yard. Get the kid’s involved so they know what needs to be done before they go off and explore. Involving them the right way can make the camp set up all part of the Camping Experience.
Out & About’s tips for HAPPY CAMPING
SLEEPING
Be prepared for all weather conditions
- Old or New, set up the tent before you go and get familiar with what goes where.
- Check tent for rips, wear & tear and repair if necessary
- Waterproof the tent
- Check the seams and zips
- Make sure all pegs, poles and guy ropes are packed
- Tarps, ground sheets, shade cloth & hammer are packed
- Pull out the swag/air bed or sleeping bags. Air out and check for spiders etc
LIGHTING
Make sure you have a good range of lighting
- Head lights or cap lights for cooking or that trip to the toilet at night
- Gas lights – for use outside the tent
- LED lights
- 12 volt lights
- Lanterns
- Generator lighting
- Torches & Spare Batteries
FIRST AID
Pack all required medications and access a good first aid kit and get familiar with what’s in it. Check and add extras such as:
- bite cream
- Antihistamines
- burn cream
- insect repellent
- Mozzie coils and mozzie spray
- Bandages for breaks and bites
- Heat/cold packs
- Pain relief
- Eye wash
- Disinfectant
- Scissors & tweezers
- Fire blanket
Fire extinguishers are a must for your vehicle and camp trailer. Make sure they are serviced and ready to go
COOKING
Keep it compact and easy to access. You don’t need to pack the contents of your kitchen to have a successful camp cooking kitchen.
- Make sure your gas bottles are in date and full of gas
- Check all gas lines
- Don’t forget the matches or lighter
- Use containers. Canvas bags for plates, cutlery work great and are easy to pack and store
- Select your cooking equipment and make sure they are clean and seasoned before you go. This is important for your camp ovens or bedourie ovens. If not stored properly they can rust and need to be cleaned and re-seasoned before use.
- Have a simple selection of cooking equipment such as camp oven, frypan, camp billy and small portable gas stove for quick cooking or to use indoors for bad weather or fire restrictions.
- Select cooking utensils that can be used on open flame such as campfire and/or stove top ie no plastic handles
- Pack oven mits (welding gloves work great), lid lifters and long handle tongs to cook safely over flame
FOOD
Prepare a camp menu to make sure you don’t over pack and waste food
- Pack all dry and tin food in a large container
- Cryovak your meat in meal sized portions which be frozen before you go
- Use your portable fridge for cold items such as milk, butter & veges etc.
- Use square (rather than round) stackable containers in the fridge or esky for better storage
- If you are using esky’s – instead of loose ice blocks, use frozen water bladders or bottles as they stay frozen longer
- Snap lock bags are great for leftovers
- Water is important – make sure you take enough drinking water and washing water
THINK ABOUT THE WEATHER
Make sure you are prepared for all weather conditions.
- Tarps – Make sure you have a good heavy duty tarp. This can be used to go over the tent or kitchen/living area. This will keep you and your gear nice and dry and also provides shade protection
- Shade cloth – is a great wind break and provides excellent shade protection. Shade cloth will let a certain amount of wind through and is less likely to flap around or rip in windy conditions.
- Ground sheets are a great way to keep sand and mud out of your tent
- Spare guy ropes and pegs for windy conditions
CAMP SITE SELECTION
If you are camping out bush or on the beach, especially if it’s an unfamiliar location, try to arrive before dark to make sure you select a safe clear location to set up camp.
- Avoid low lying areas or creek beds at all costs
- Make sure you’re not on private property (gain permission)
- National Park camping – check permit requirements
- Don’t set up under big trees as limbs can fall
- Select a clear but sheltered site
- Rake the area clear of rocks, sticks etc and avoid things like ant nests
- If beach camping be aware of tide movements, wind direction and other vehicles
- Check your fire restrictions before setting up camp fire
- Make sure you can set up the camp toilet conveniently
- Take all your rubbish home and extinguish all fires correctly
Have a great camping trip
Cheers
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