Camping Tips for First Timers

Avoid SNAFUs and smooth the way with these “campwise” tips from The Campout Card Deck by Marnie Hanel & Jen Sevenson.

Pack Planning

Prepare for the worst weather by choosing your outerwear wisely: fleece is your friend, cotton is your foe. Never leave home without a poncho. Plan to layer and protect from the sun. Everyone should have a hat, tank top, flannel shirt, shorts and long pants, hiking boots, comfy shoes to wear in camp, bandanna, light coat, and extra pairs of socks so you’ll always have a dry pair on hand.

Designate Your Spot

Many campgrounds must be booked ahead and you can usually see the location of camp spots from which to choose on camp maps posted online. But even if you head to a first-come, first-served campground, these tips apply:

• Choose a campground that doesn’t have Wi-Fi or cell service, so no one is Instagramming or Facebooking or texting. It allows for true human interaction and precious family time.
• Choose a level, dry, rock-free or (fairly rock-free) spot.
• Watch for and avoid “buzzy” neighbors (wasp nests, ground wasps, standing water that might breed mosquitoes.)
• Choose a spot well above stream beds or flood plains and not within 100 ft of trash bins and bathrooms.
• For first-timers, amenities such as picnic tables, a water faucet, a fire pit and a food locker will make for happy campers,

On the Way There

To avoid the “are we there, yets” and backseat squabbles born of boredom, try this twist on the old favorite license plate game. Upon encountering a lettered license plate, players come up with a word that includes all the letters on the plate. But for added fun, the word must be camping-related! For example, FLH can be “flashlight” or CTN can be “canteen.” Get silly! BRE can be “Bobcat Repellent.”

Now We’re Cookin’

If campfires are not allowed, food can be cooked or reheated and wash water can be heated on a camp stove. Be sure to bring plenty of gas canisters. Camp stoves can be rented from sporting goods stores. If fires are allowed in fire pits, don’t plan to use your pots and pans from home on the fire. Food can easily burn with thinner cookware and they’ll be a bear to scrub clean. Use cast iron to prepare food over fire or coals. Cast iron pots, pans and Dutch ovens are easily and cheaply available at thrift stores and since you are not packing it in to a primitive backcountry campsite, weight is not an issue.

Around the Campfire

Telling ghost stories is a traditional evening activity but might be too scary for young ones. Instead, try serenading the stars with renditions of campfire-friendly classics. If you’re not familiar with the words, come prepared by doing an internet search for the words and print them out ahead of your trip.

“Do Your Ears Hang Low”                      “This Land is Your Land”

“Home on the Range”                “Oh! Susanna”

“They Call the Wind Mariah”       “On Top of Spaghetti”

“Kookaburra”                             “Moodshadow”

“Puff the Magic Dragon”             “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”

For the Littlest Campers

• There’s clean and then there’s campout clean. Don’t stress about sticky marshmallow faces attracting a little camp dirt. Application of a damp cloth will take care of most of the sticky dirt.
• Bring extra of everything: wipes, diapers, paper towels, socks, changes ofclothes.
• Stick to your bedtime routine as much as possible to avoid cranky kids or overly early risers.

Canine Camping Companions

Check campground rules. Some campgrounds don’t allow dogs. Being prepared to care for canine campers will avoid stressed-out doggies and dog parents alike.

• Snap a photo of your dog’s vaccination record, just in case you need it for proof at the campground or for emergency vet service.
• Don’t forget the water and food bowls and dog food.
• Bring LOTS of doggy poop bags and clean up after your pet IMMEDIATELY. Dispose of filled bags properly and courteously.
• Be aware of your dog’s limits. Provide your dog cool, shaded resting places. Leash him/her if he/she becomes agitated. Provide unlimited access to water and shade.
• Should your dog have a run-in with wildlife: yell, whistle or throw objects at the scuffle. NEVER physically intervene.
• Pack a quart of hydrogen peroxide and a box of baking soda and a large bowl/bucket in case your dog has a conversation with a skunk. You can get rid of most of the skunk smell by “washing” your dog with one quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and a couple teaspoons of dishwashing liquid. Apply to dry dog, then rinse with water. DON’T wet your dog first, as water sets and enhances the skunk smell.