How to Survive Camping

Marian Acee

English 101

Adam Weinstein

20 November 2007

"How to Survive Camping"

During this time of year, one of my favorite activities is camping. Some people like it, some people don’t, or some just do not understand how to correctly go about it. Camping is a chance to escape all of your problems and experience the world on your own with no distractions. It gives you a sense of freedom, peace and relaxation. It is so much more than it seems and I believe everyone should experience it. Nature is something a lot of people take for granted. Day by day, little by little, it is disappearing before our very eyes. Camping is a way to see what we are missing and learn to appreciate nature as it is, not for what it is becoming.


There are several different ways to go about camping, but I believe this way is very effective. First and foremost, you must plan your trip. When going camping you must investigate the area you will be visiting. The location cannot be noisy or close to anything you are use to because that would defeat the purpose of camping right? NO buildings, NO five star hotels, etc. Any place that you should want to go should take a good twenty to thirty minute drive. Try to find somewhere exotic and beautiful, somewhere you can hike to an amazing waterfall, or witness wild life first hand (just try to stay away from extreme wildlife..esp bears) . But, there is also camping in private campgrounds. These include bathing facilities, outlets, running water, etc. But, that takes the fun out of camping. You begin to feel like you are camping out in your backyard. When camping, you want to experience true nature. Nature is not for everyone though. So when deciding on your location, ask yourself a few simple questions: Is it important to have full showers? Can I stand not having bathrooms and running water? Can I go without having stores right around the corner? Also, take into consideration the time of year you are planning on going. Weather is very important during camping. You want your experience to be the best it could possibly be.


After planning your trip, make a list of all the camping equipment you will need.. Start off your list with kitchen gear.
1.) Food
2.) Water
3.) Dishes
4.) Cups
5.) Eating Utensils
6.) Skillet
7.) Two Burner Stove
8.) Ecologically Friendly Soap
9.) Plastic Containers
10.) Cooler and Ice


Listed above are some the main items you will need for preparing food during your trip. Consider taking dishes and utensils that can be washed and reused. Make sure you bring along metal or wooden utensils. Since you will be using most of them around the fire or stove, plastic utensils will not work too well. Along the way, pick up a couple of gallon sized water containers for cleaning your pots after eating. You will then need your sleeping arrangement list:
1.) Tent
2.) Tent Cover
3.) Pillow
4.) Sleeping Bag
5.) Sleeping Pad


Consider how many people you have joining you on your trip when deciding on tent sizes and sleeping bags. Tents that usually say they will fit three people, fit two. So, when deciding on tents, make sure to add another person to your total when deciding on them. Considering the time of year, make sure your tent is properly ventilated. Make sure you purchase a tent cover large enough to cover everyone’s tents. A tent cover is placed above a tent in case of rain or other mishaps. Also, check the temperature rating on your sleeping bags. Sleeping pads are used to place under your sleeping bag for more comfort and warmth. After your sleeping arrangement list, comes the essential camping list:
1.) Flashlight
2.) Lantern
3.) Bug Repellent
4.) Battery Operated Radio
5.) Propane Cylinders (for your two burner stove and lantern)
6.) Lighters and Lighter fluid
7.) Firewood
8.) Knife
9.) Citronella Candle
10.) First-Aid kit
11.) Toiletries
12.) Aluminum Foil and zip lock bags (for food)
13.) Kayak or Canoe (if wanting to get into the water)
14.) Clothes, Swimwear
15.) Fleece Blanket
16.) Soap and Shampoo
17.) Backpack (in case of hiking)


These are some of the most crucial items you will need. Make sure you always bring warm clothes in case of the change in weather. Also, you might want to bring cards or something of the sort, to play at night if you reach boredom (hopefully that won‘t happen)! After you have made your list, it is time to start packing your car. Make sure you always pack the largest things first and the smallest last. Try taking a SUV or a truck that has a lot of empty space. If there is not enough room for everyone in one car, make sure the other person drives a bigger car also so they can fit equipment too. If at all possible, try to take one car. You are going to be traveling through nature and the last thing you want to do is pollute it. After all the packing is finished, you are off for your adventure.


When traveling to your location, make sure to make all your last minute stops before you get too far. When arriving, try to find a flat spot to place your tent. When unloading, begin with the largest things you will have to set up. For instance, your tent or kayak/canoe (if you brought one). Remove your kayak/canoe from the top of your car and place it somewhere near your car. Then, remove your tent from the slip it is in, read the instructions carefully, and your tent should be up in no time. If it is your first time setting one up, it might take a few tries, but you will get the hang of it. Once all the tents are set up, place the tent cover over the tents, making sure it covers both of them properly. After the cover is set up, unload your sleeping equipment and place it in your tent. Next, unload all your firewood and cooking utensils. Place the firewood somewhere close, but do not start a fire until the sun goes down. You want to conserve as much of it as possible. You will want to get your cooler and ice out and load all the food and drinks into it. By now, it is probably time to unload the smaller things such as bug repellent, lighters and lighter fluid, lanterns, pots and skillets and etc. Most of the time it is better to keep all your clothes, toiletries, first-aid kit and etc. in the car. Especially your clothes, in case of rain! As the night and trip progresses, you will remove all your other equipment when it is needed. When you are cooking, always make sure to place your food back into the cooler so it will not get old. Also, make sure you wash your cooking utensils properly. Use the ecologically friendly soap and make sure to boil the water you wash your pots and pans with. That way, all the bacteria is removed properly. When disposing your scraps, always make sure to place them in the fire or in a plastic bag. But, do so immediately or you will have all sorts of critters visiting you! Whatever garbage you accumulate during your visit, make sure it comes back with you, or is disposed of correctly. Always make sure to be very careful with your fire, an unattended fire can eventually turn disastrous. By following these few simple steps, your camping trip has begun and you should be on your way to having the time of your life. Camping is a way of life for some people, and hopefully the love of nature will spread to other people. When camping, always remember, “take only pictures, leave only footprints.”