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 considering the size of the tent, you need to consider a few things. One thing to consider is how much space you want or need. I prefer to have a bigger tent to have room for all my gear and room to change or move. 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 keeping your gear lightweight and portable. For camping, you need to consider how many people you will have with you. The more people, the bigger the tent or multiple tents. The good news is that most tents have a capacity ration and that helps with harvesting. I usually look at the capacity and divide it by 2 so there is room for everyone to move around and put away their gear. It also allows for extra space if it starts to rain and you can’t keep all your gear dry outside.
Another thing to consider is cooking at the camp. There are many options for cooking while camping. You can use the grill provided, cook over an open fire, or bring a propane stove. All of these options will work for anyone while camping. Usually I will have a 2 burner propane stove and 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 camping for an extended period of time, charcoal takes up a lot of space. You also have to worry about keeping it dry. With propane you have little cans 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 convenience when cooking. You can also pack your home grill, allowing you to have a large cooking area. I have seen cooking platforms for propane stoves that allow you to cook away from the table and have space to place your food and all your prep items. The metal fire grill is a very good way to cook and you can use firewood from around the camp to feed it.
As you cook, you need to think about what kind of pots and pans you will use. I prefer to use cast iron pans and steel pots. Everyone has their own preferences about what they wear. Cast iron is great if seasoned properly. Allows for a large cooking area over a fire pit 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 to take old pots and pans from home. That way you can throw them away if you screw them up and get more bang for your buck by reusing old items around the house. You can also buy really good games at thrift stores for very little money.
Sleeping gear is another thing any camper needs to look at and discover the best items for you to carry. Sleeping gear can be anything from sleeping bags to cots to air mattresses. What you need or want depends on the level of comfort you want to have when camping. When choosing a sleeping bag, you have to think about the climate you are going to. If you are camping in an extremely cold area you need the right bag and if you are in a warmer area you need a lighter bag. If you plan to do a lot of camping, you should consider a bag that can be adjusted to the climate you are in. Choosing a crib or air mattress is all about comfort level. I like air mattresses because it is 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 pad. A crib keeps you off the ground and allows air to flow between you and the ground. A crib is also a good way to save space inside a tent. You can store your gear underneath and keep your tent a little tidier. They also allow for a personal sleeping area when there are a lot of people in the tent. An air mattress acts as a floor insulator 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 chairs for camping? Do you need something to do while camping? Now it is amazing to have a portable tent at any camp or sporting event. They allow a quick place to protect yourself from the weather or the sun. They also allow you to cover your gear while camping. Now, with a portable tent, you should think about having one with or without a screen. If you want, it’s a great idea to keep all mosquitoes away while you eat or just hang out. Without one, you risk being bitten by mosquitoes. So this is not a really big topic, but it helps to have one at camp. If you need to think about furniture, there are many 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 choose the $ 5 chair because if it breaks I won’t be mad and it’s cheap to replace. Now what to bring to pass the time. You can bring whatever you want, but I have some ideas that I always bring back. You can bring cornhole 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 with your family and enjoy the outdoors. I try to go camping three or four times a year. When choosing equipment, make sure it is something you want. Don’t buy the things a salesperson tells you too. Do your own research and make it fun to get your gear. Let your kids help or just surprise them.
