Before you Leave
Choosing Your Destination
- If you plan to stay at a provincial / state park, check into availability. Some parks are booked several months ahead and may be full. You should also inquire as to what type of facilities your chosen park has. Water and electric hook-ups, bathrooms and showers for example. Be sure to ask about costs.
- If you plan to travel with a pet, check the rules first.
- If you plan to camp in “the wild” be sure to find out if camping is allowed on the land before you set up camp. Camping is permitted on most Crown Land at no cost, provided that campers obey basic rules.
- If you only plan on being away for a couple of days, don`t travel too far from home. The idea is to enjoy your vacation, not spend it driving.
Check Your Equipment
- Unpack your tent and check it thoroughly. Be sure that all flaps and zips work, and that all poles, ties and pegs are accounted for.
- Inflate all air mattresses and check for leaks.
- Check any gas stoves or lanterns to make sure they work properly. Stock up on lantern mantels as they are quite fragile and may need to be replaced frequently.
- Unroll all sleeping bags and check for holes or rips. Wash them if they smell musty.
- Check all cookware to make sure it is in good, usable condition.
Arrival
- Make sure the area you are to set the tent up on is free from sharp objects that might damage the floor of the tent. A ground sheet is a good idea too.
- Make sure that there are no nests where you put your tent.
- Check that there are no overhanging branches that might come down in the wind. This can be especially dangerous under gum trees. .
- Build your fire-pit a safe distance from trees and your tent.
While You are Camping
- Obey the rules. Campground rules, are usually posted near the campground entrance, were made so that everyone can enjoy the campground. It only takes one rude camper to ruin it for everyone else. Be a good and thoughtful camper.
- After meals do a thorough job of cleaning the dishes, pans and the entire eating area. Put all trash in appropriate bins. Never leave food unattended at the campsite because animals will make a meal of it and leave quite a mess in the process.
Departing for Home
- Try to break down and pack up your tent when it is completely dry.
- Walk around your camp site to make sure you are not forgetting anything.
- Be sure that your fire is completely out.
Always be sure to leave your site completely clean. A good thing to remember when enjoying nature is: take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints .
Camping Check List
- Air mattress or pad for under sleeping bag
- Backpack
- Emergency blanket; also called space blanket
- Tent seam sealer
- Folding table
- Backpack
- Folding chairs
- Small shovel
- Hammer / hatchet
- Pillows
- Binoculars
- Sharp knife
- Can opener
- First aid kit with burn ointment
- Tarp(s) with grommets
- Rope or string
- Personal care items: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc
- Towels and washcloth
- Sun screen
- Portable toilet
- Toilet paper
- Moist wipes or baby wipes
- Pots, pans, dishes and cutlery
- Camp stove and lanterns (and extra fuel)
- Board games / cards
- Enough food for your stay (plus a bit extra)
- Enough weather appropriate clothing
- Something to read
- Needle and thread
Tips
- Freeze water in 2 liter bottles to use as ice packs. Use them for drinking water as they melt
- Crack the eggs for your trip into a large airtight juice container with a screw off top. The eggs will pour out one at a time and will not break as easily as they would if kept in the carton.
- If you are camped close to a river or stream, use a handful of wet sand to clean stuck-on foods from pots or frying pans.
- Even a small dog is good Bear Repellent
