How to Prepare for a New Camping Season in a Tent

How to Prepare for a New Camping Season

We have been discussing GIANT RVs, fancy motor-homes, and BIG BUCK TOYS. What about the poor guy roughing it in a tiny tent?

Here are a few tips to help you along the way.
 

Air it Out:
The weekend before the first camping trip of the season, set up your tent in the backyard and air it out. After being stowed all winter, that new tent smell is gone and it may just remind you of dirty socks.

This is also an opportunity to ensure that all the pieces are intact. There is nothing worse than driving 500 miles and arriving at the campground only to discover the tall pole in the middle is in the attic at home. Have you ever slept in your car?
 

Checklist:
Review your checklist. Confirm in advance that you have everything on the list. When buying these items, think small. Your tent is not the size of Windsor Castle; it’s just a tent.
 

Food Checklist: salt, pepper, sugar, butter, bread, jam, dogs and buns, chilli, sodas, coffee, tea, milk, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, snack foods, bacon, eggs, and taters. If I have this list covered, I am all set. Don’t buy the jumbo size of everything. When you are tent camping, space is at a premium.
 

Equipment Checklist: matches, BBQ, firewood, shovel, chairs, ground tarp, rain tarp, door mat, cooler, camp stove, playing cards, hanging light, 2 flashlights, paper towels, paper plates, plastic cups, foam cups, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, dish soap, frying pan, rain ponchos, beach umbrella, beach towels, and a good book. Add to this list, keep it handy, and review it prior to every trip.
 

Call ahead:
Many campgrounds today have a designated tenting area. While the tent area is less likely to fill up, I still highly recommend that you call ahead for a reservation.
 

Check the Weather:
As a former tent camper and racer, my faith in the weather man was never high. I can’t tell how many racing/camping events we went to only to find the weather man was 100% wrong. My love of tent camping came to an end in that era.

With today’s technology however, the forecast is much more accurate. I’ll give today’s weatherman a generous 80% accuracy rating. They can usually predict days in advance what the temperature will be, +/- 2 or 3 degrees. I’m impressed.

So if you are a tent camper, you had better check the weather. Anything over a 30% chance of rain in the forecast means stay home and reschedule.
 

Arrive early:
Lucky me, my wife and I don’t argue. Life is too short, and we are on the same camping page anyway. Some of you campers out there may not be so easy going. If you want to fuel the fire (not the campfire in this context), then go ahead and arrive late at night and watch the fireworks. I have heard a few battles late at night when our camping neighbours arrived in the wee hours.

You’re tired, hungry, and you have driven for hours. Where is the flashlight? That spot’s not level! Where’s the hammer? Hurry up! Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah! Have you ever heard Charlie Brown’s mother?

Stay dry and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!