| As a city girl who has gone country from time to | | | | Group Gear |
| time, I can honestly say you'll never see a | | | | Small, easy to set up tent. When sleeping under |
| prettier sight than a sky full of bright stars-plus | | | | the stars, tent-free may sound attractive, but |
| making s'mores while gossiping about the men in | | | | dew, dust, rodents and creepy crawlers are |
| your lives will undoubtedly breathe new life into | | | | reason enough to carry a tent. Lightweight ones |
| your friendships. But before you head for the | | | | can be found at REI for around $100. Most fit |
| great outdoors, here's what you need to know | | | | two people. |
| about camping. | | | | Portable stove. Make sure someone has a light, |
| Reserve your spot. | | | | compact camp stove that runs on white gas. |
| If you are new to camping, it might be best to | | | | First-aid kit. Besides the usual suspects, get a |
| stick to established campsites. You can research | | | | product called Zanfel, an over-the-counter lotion |
| and reserve a campsite for you and your girls on | | | | for skin exposed to poison ivy and poison oak, |
| websites like | | | | just in case you or one of your girlfriends |
| Prepare for the trip. | | | | accidentally rubs up against one of these nasty |
| Personal Gear | | | | plants. Also, throw in a pair of tweezers to help |
| Food. Think of what is light and easy to | | | | remove splinters or bee stingers. |
| cook-instant oatmeal and soup, PB&J sandwiches | | | | Newspaper or pieces of scrap paper to help build |
| and nuts are all good options. Pack all of your | | | | a fire. |
| food in plastic bags to keep out moisture. | | | | Test your gear. |
| Water bottles. Besides containing your water, | | | | It's important to test your gear days before |
| they come in handy if you get a bit chilly at night. | | | | everyone caravans to the destination. Make sure |
| Simply pour hot water into your bottle and put it | | | | at least one of you knows how to set up the |
| in the bottom of your sleeping bag before you go | | | | tent and that someone has lit your stove to |
| to sleep. Nalgene is one of the most popular | | | | make sure it works. Check your headlamp and |
| brands of camping water bottles. | | | | make sure the bulb isn't burnt out. Also, make it a |
| Warm clothing. It's good to have at least one | | | | point to try your backpack around your |
| lightweight pair of pants with you to keep you | | | | neighborhood-pack it full and walk around for 30 |
| warm and your legs safe from bugs and poison | | | | minutes through a park and uphill. You'll get a |
| oak exposure. Avoid jeans because they are | | | | better feel for what you can handle on the trail. |
| heavy and don't dry quickly. | | | | On the trail. |
| Good socks. Bring an extra pair just in case the | | | | How to start a fire. |
| others get wet or muddy. | | | | Your good looks may be enough to get things |
| Hiking boots or a good pair of trail runners. No | | | | sizzling when out on the town, but, unfortunately, |
| need to spend big bucks on heavy hiking shoes. | | | | in the woods they don't count for much. To start |
| These days, you can use trail runners with | | | | a real fire at a campground, look for a fire pit. |
| knobby treads for most hiking trips. Check out | | | | Once you've found one, crumple the paper you |
| Salomon XA Pros or Teva X-1. | | | | brought into tight little balls and place them in the |
| Sunscreen. Choose a sport, sweat-resistant | | | | pit. Next, look around your site for dry branches |
| sunscreen like one from Himaya. The brand offers | | | | and bark of different sizes. If you come across |
| disposable packets of sunscreen. One packet | | | | wood that is green, don't use it-it won't burn. Place |
| works great for two to three people. | | | | small branches over the paper. Lay three to four |
| Bug Spray. | | | | branches one direction and then a few more in |
| Sleeping bag, or a large sheet for warm areas. | | | | the other direction, making almost a little house on |
| Sleeping mat. | | | | top of the paper. Light the paper and then let it |
| Camping pillow. | | | | burn a little bit. After the first pieces of wood |
| Extra batteries. For all battery-operated | | | | start to burn, put bigger pieces on to keep it |
| equipment you're bringing. You don't want your | | | | going. Be careful not to put big pieces on too |
| flashlight to die during your night-time bathroom | | | | quickly as they can smother the fire. Think about |
| run, do you? | | | | getting as much air through the pieces of wood |
| Headlamp or a good flashlight. Headlamps have | | | | as possible. To put it out, simply throw dirt on top |
| thick elastic bands that allow you to put the light | | | | of the burning embers. NEVER leave a campsite |
| on your head and keep your hands free to set up | | | | with a fire still burning. |
| a tent or start a campfire. You can get a cheap | | | | Use this girl's guide to camping and you'll not only |
| headlamp at your local discount store or a brand | | | | camp in style, but you'll have as much fun as you |
| name one online or at a wilderness store. | | | | do shopping for a new pair of stilettos. |