| Camping is essentially for those of us who love | | | | Many time you won't even need that butyou can |
| the outdoorsand can do without all of the | | | | always lay the tarp on the ground to designate |
| comforts of home for a short while. However, | | | | aclean sleeping area. After this has been set, you |
| just loving the outdoors is not enough to | | | | will goover what food you will need. We stress |
| guarantee that the experience will be a fun one. | | | | need here. Strayfrom fresh produce and meets |
| The essentials of having fun in the great outdoors | | | | because they spoil easy andtheir scent attracts |
| are preparation and an open mind. Preparation is | | | | animals and insects. Stick to driedfood and canned |
| easy, if you follow some simple rules. | | | | items. Canned items will add weight, butthey are |
| When you are getting ready to plan a trip, you | | | | more calorie rich and very easy to cook in |
| must select a convenient time that will give you | | | | multiplesituations. Most of your food should be |
| flexibility of one to two days. This will make the | | | | snacks, so that youdon't have to cook very |
| trip more about you, and less about your | | | | much. Trail mix and yogurt coveredraisins will fill |
| timetable. You may run into weather problems or | | | | you up more than you think, and they are acheap |
| you may just want to camp for an extra day. | | | | alternative to buying food from camping stores |
| Next, choose alocation and make it specific. Don't | | | | thathike up the price on dried meals. |
| just choose a county where you saw a | | | | The last things you will put on your list are what |
| campground. Call the campground or the park | | | | will make you comfortable. Minimal clothing is best. |
| office and get reservations or information about | | | | One of each typeof outfit is best. One pair of |
| the time you have allotted. Many parks are happy | | | | shorts, pants, sweatshirt,tee, and a couple pairs |
| give youinformation and tips about what to | | | | of undergarments including socks isenough. One |
| expect. The mostcomplicated step in preparation | | | | poncho will take up minimal space. Small LEDflash |
| is making a list of what tobring. Making a list is | | | | lights will get you around at night if you stray |
| essential and your list will changedramatically the | | | | fromthe fire. Then make sure you have some |
| more you trips you take. | | | | things to keep youbusy. Books, playing cards and |
| The first thing you need to put on your list of | | | | a nerf football are alllight and can be very |
| things totake is the things that will get you there. | | | | entertaining for hours on end. Aslong as you don't |
| If you arehiking to a campsite, list the number of | | | | start dragging along things that aren'tmeant for |
| backpacks. If youare simply driving to a site, list | | | | the outdoors, you should be fine. Remember |
| the number of cars. Thenyou must plan your | | | | thateverything will be at home when you get |
| shelter and sleeping situation. | | | | back. Mostimportantly make a not of the things |
| Remember, tents are a luxury and heavy to | | | | you didn't use and thethings you wished you |
| carry. Hikersusually bring a plastic tarp that can | | | | brought. That will make each trip youtake more |
| shelter up to fourpeople. With a tarp, you can tie | | | | enjoyable and different than the last. |
| it between trees for coverfrom the elements. | | | | |