One thing to consider is the size of your tent or caravan. I use tents all the time, even during the winter months. A tent is one of the easiest things to choose. When you consider the size of the store, there are a few things to consider. One thing to consider is how much space do you want or need? I prefer to have a larger tent so I have room for all my gear and room to change or move around. Some people, especially hikers, just want enough space to sleep and store their gear. Long-term camping is all about comfort and fun, hiking is about making your gear light and portable. For camping, you need to consider how many people you will have with you. The more people, the bigger the tent or several tents will be. The good thing is that most stores have a capacity ration and that helps with the collection. I usually look at the capacity and divide it by 2 so there is room for everyone to move around and store their gear. It also allows for extra space if it starts to rain and you can’t keep all your gear outside dry.
Another thing to consider is cooking at camp. There are many options for cooking while camping. You can use the provided grill, cook on an open fire, or bring a propane stove. All of these options will work for anyone while camping. Typically I will have a 2 burner propane stove and a grate to put over the fire. This allows for more cooking options and more cooking area. Using charcoal is good but you need to make sure you have enough for 3 meals a day and if you are going camping for a long period charcoal takes up a lot of space. You also have to worry about keeping it dry. With propane you have small canisters that you can buy and you don’t have to worry about keeping it dry. The propane stove provides a constant temperature cooking area. Propane stoves also come in many different styles for your cooking convenience. You can also pack up your home grill, giving you a large cooking area. I have seen cooking platforms for propane stoves that allow you to cook away from the table and still have room to place your food and all of your prep items. The metal fire grate is a very good way to cook and you can use wood from around the camp to fuel it.
While cooking, you still need to think about what kind of pots and pans you will be using. I prefer to use cast iron skillets and steel pots. Everyone has their own preferences about what they wear. Cast iron is great if seasoned properly. Allows for a great area for cooking over a campfire or propane stove. Regular pots and pans are just as good. Now you can get cheap sets or expensive sets to go, but the best way to do that is by taking old pots and pans from around the house. That way you can toss them if you mess them up and you’re getting more bang for your buck by repurposing old items around the house. You can also buy really good outfits at thrift stores for very little money.
Sleeping gear is another thing any camper should look at and figure out the best items to bring. Sleeping gear can be anything from sleeping bags to cots to an air mattress. What you need or want depends on the level of comfort you want while camping. When choosing a sleeping bag, some things to think about are the climate of where you are going. If you are camping in an area of extreme cold you need the right bag and if you are in a warmer area you need a lighter bag. If you plan on camping a lot, you should consider a bag that can adjust to the climate you are in. Choosing a crib or air mattress is all about comfort level. I like air mattresses because it’s like sleeping at home. I’ve used cots before, but that was when I was in the military. They can be very comfortable if you use some type of foam padding. A cot keeps you off the ground and allows airflow between you and the ground. A cot is also a great way to save space inside a tent. You can store your gear underneath and be able to keep your shop a bit more tidy. They also allow for a personal sleeping area when there are many people in the tent. An air mattress acts as an insulator that forms the floor and helps keep you warmer. They also take up more space but allow for more sleeping area.
Your camp site is another thing to consider. Do you want a portable tent to cover the table, do you need camping chairs and do you need to do something while camping? Now it’s awesome to have a portable tent at any campout or sporting event. They allow for a quick place to get out of the weather or sun. They also allow you to cover your gear while camping. Now, with a portable tent, you need to think about having one with a screen or without. If you choose with it, it’s a great idea to keep all mosquitoes away while you eat or just hang out. Without one you run the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. So this isn’t really a major problem, but it helps to have one at camp. If you need to think about furniture, there are plenty of options. You can choose a regular chair or one that is like a recliner. Choosing a chair is all about how much you want to spend and comfort. I usually go for the $5 dollar chair because if it breaks I won’t bother and it’s cheap to replace. Now what to wear to pass the time. You can bring whatever you really want, but I have some ideas that I always bring. You can bring corn hole and ladder ball. These two games can keep everyone busy for hours. Then you can bring a deck of cards, one and some board games. You can also bring fishing rods and your bikes.
Camping is a great way to spend time as a family and be able to enjoy the outdoors. I try to go camping three or four times a year. When you do things, make sure it’s something you want. Do not buy the things that a seller tells you too. Do your own research and make it fun to get your gear. Let your kids help out or just surprise them.
