Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all heard a lot about the importance of social distancing. Maintaining a physical separation between yourself and other people is one of the best ways to avoid spreading or contracting the illness.
This has disastrous implications for many vacation plans. Social distancing is almost impossible on an airplane, in a bar, or on a crowded beach.
However, the virus has indirectly breathed new life into some other types of vacation. Camping has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity this summer as holidaymakers explore alternatives to their usual summer getaways.
Our seven key tips for planning a perfect camping trip this summer will prepare you for the best outdoor vacation you’ve ever taken.
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1. Make a Packing List
This is the single most important thing you’ll do in advance of a camping trip.
Camping is different to other holidays in that you’re going into the wild, where comfort and convenience take a back seat. You won’t be able to pop into a store to get something if you forget it.
With that in mind, you need to carefully consider what you need for the trip, and make sure you bring all of it. When you’re filling up your roof rack on the morning of departure, you want to be entirely sure that you won’t arrive at the campsite only to realize you’ve left a vital piece of kit at home.
The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to make a list. Compile this list a couple of weeks in advance of your trip if possible. This will give you ample time to get anything you don’t already have.
Some key items that your list should feature include:
- Wet gear
- Spare clothes
- Swimming gear
- Food
- Torches and lamps
- Cooking apparatus
- Drinking water
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
You should also test all your key items of camping gear before you set off. For having best camping experience, you need to get high-quality reliable camping products via Aussie Outback Supplies store for your trip.
2. Book Well in Advance
If you plan on staying in a campsite, which we recommend that all newbies to the world of camping do, you’ll need to book well in advance.
Popular campsites can be difficult to get a spot in even during a regular summer. With the increased interest that has resulted from the pandemic, they will be harder to get into than ever.
Firstly, you need to spend some time thinking about the campsite you want to go to. Think about how far you’re willing to travel, the amenities you’d like to have access to, and any activities you’d like to be able to do.
Once you’ve decided on a place you like, call the campsite and make your booking. You should try to do this a couple of weeks in advance if you can.
3. Take Precautions in Relation to COVID-19
While the idea of a vacation away from the madness of COVID-19 sounds inviting, you need to remember that the virus hasn’t gone anywhere. Outbreaks are continuing across the United States, which means that we have to take certain precautions before going anywhere.
Firstly, you need to bring disposable halo face masks with you. You won’t need to wear them once you reach your own camping spot, but you should wear them when you first arrive at the campsite. You may have close contact with others at this point, such as when you check-in.
You should also remember to keep your distance from other campers if you end up in a communal area of the campsite.
These measures are especially important in areas where the virus is widespread.
4. Think of Things to Keep the Kids Occupied
Family camping trips tend to be a lot different from camping trips with adult friends. The former can be a lot more challenging at times.
However, there’s great fun for people of all ages on a camping trip. As long as you plan ahead, you shouldn’t hear too many complaints from your little ones.
What you decide to do should depend on your surroundings. This is perhaps the main reason why you need to think ahead when booking your campsite; it’s always easier to keep the kids entertained when there are things to do.
If you’re camping near a lake or the sea, you could go swimming or fishing. You could also try to rent a boat if there’s a rental provider nearby.
Other great camping activities include:
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Rock climbing
To keep boredom at bay once night falls, consider bringing along some board games. Try to keep the kids away from their phones as much as you can.
5. Make Sure You Have Plenty of Food
Unless you’re planning to hunt, fish, or gather wild berries (this is not a strategy we recommend for first-time campers), you’re going to have to pack food.
When it comes to food, you’re always better off packing slightly more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to bring some items home in the car than to have to drive to a supermarket on the last day of your trip.
However, you need to think carefully about what kinds of food to bring. Not every foodstuff is well-suited to the great outdoors.
Nutritious, high-calorie food that doesn’t require special storage is always a good idea for a camping trip. Snacks like peanuts and dark chocolate will keep you satisfied and maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
To this end, fruit is also a great choice. Apples are great for camping, as they don’t bruise or leak as easily as many other fruits.
In terms of more substantial meals, your choices should depend on the cooking apparatus at your disposal. You’ll see veteran campers using light butane stoves to cook their dinner; however, if this seems like too great an investment, a disposable barbecue will do the trick.
Of course, if you’re going to have a campfire you could always do some cooking with that. No camping trip would be complete without some fireside s’mores!
6. Plan for the Weather
Depending on the area of the country you live in, weather can affect your camping trip in a few different ways.
If you live somewhere with consistently hot summers, you’ll need ways to keep cool on your trip. There are a few different things you can do to achieve this, including:
- Collapsing your tent during the day so that it doesn’t gather heat
- Pitching your tent in shade
- Removing the tent’s rain protector (if rain is unlikely)
- Getting up early to avoid the heat of the morning sun
- Drinking plenty of water
If heavy wind and rain are common where you live, you’ll need to prepare for that too.
As mentioned above, wet gear is one of your most basic requirements on a camping trip. You should also have spare dry clothes in case you do end up getting wet.
If you live somewhere with especially rough weather conditions, it would be a good idea to invest in a durable tent with sturdy pegs and ropes. The last thing you want is for your tent to collapse in the middle of a heavy storm.
If you’re waiting until later in the year to take your trip, you should be prepared for cold weather. Some warmer clothes will be a must, and you could also bring extra bedding to keep you warm while you sleep.
7. Practice Setting Up Your Tent Beforehand
Setting up a tent can be more difficult than some people think. If you haven’t done it before, you may find it challenging. This is especially true if you have to do it in difficult weather conditions or poor light.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to practice pitching your tent before you go away. Even if you have pitched tents before, you should always pitch a new tent at home. It may have different features to black out tents you’ve used in the past.
To really make sure you’ve got the hang of it, try waiting until nightfall to pitch your tent. If you can successfully get it up in the dark, you should be good to go.
Staying Safe and Having Fun This Summer
The COVID-19 pandemic has left travel plans in tatters for many American families this summer. However, you can still get away for a vacation this summer if you take to the great outdoors.
With the tips we’ve shared above, you should be well prepared for the camping trip of a lifetime!
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