| So you and the family or you and your friends have | | | | Do all the zippers work? Does it need a ground sheet? |
| decided to go on a camping trip. It's Thursday night and | | | | Do the air mattresses hold air? Do you have all the |
| you are going to leave right after work Friday evening. | | | | cooking equipment including gas cylinders, charcoal |
| Now you go to the garage or basement and pull out | | | | etc? Do you have Flashlights, Batteries, Sleeping Bags, |
| the camping gear from last summer and toss it in the | | | | Cooler? Check the long range weather forecast. Do |
| trunk. The tent, the stove and the cooler.(we'll buy | | | | you need boots, rain gear or warmer clothing |
| some franks and beans on the way). | | | | (especially if you are heading to the mountains). |
| It's late Friday night when you reach your camp ground | | | | Maybe you need a GPS device or two way radios. |
| and you start to pitch your tent when you suddenly | | | | They need batteries too. |
| remember that you don't have all the tent pegs and | | | | If you are going with a group of friends make sure |
| the zipper broke the last time you used the tent. Your | | | | they have the check list too. Some things everyone |
| buddy said he'd bring the gas for the stove and lantern | | | | needs others can be brought by just one of the group. |
| but forgot and the flashlights didn't work and you did | | | | No need having ten air mattress pumps and nobody |
| not bring spare batteries. | | | | brought the any toilet paper. There is roughing it and |
| This weekend is starting out not so enjoyably. | | | | then there is roughing it! You can bet that nobody |
| Let's step back a week or two and start PLANNING a | | | | forgets the beer and snack food! |
| camping trip. | | | | Check your list and go out and buy what needs to be |
| First decide where it is you want to go camping. If it's | | | | replaced or order it online. |
| the same spot as always then decision made but if it | | | | Basically, what it boils down to is, if you Plan a camping |
| is somewhere new you should check out the Internet | | | | trip rather than just go on a camping trip you will have |
| to get as much information as you can about the | | | | much more fun. What does it really matter if it rains if |
| camp ground you plan to visit. What facilities are | | | | you have all the equipment you need at your fingertips. |
| available and what rules and regulations are in place. | | | | You are with friends and/or family, you are warm and |
| The next thing to do is make a check list of what you | | | | dry and you are roughing it in the great outdoors. |
| need to take and what you want to take. Make this a | | | | No planning would mean you are cold, wet and |
| group discussion involving all that are going on the trip. | | | | miserable and wishing you are anywhere but half way |
| The weekend before the trip go to your storage area | | | | up a mountain in the rain, having as MUSH fun as you |
| (Garage, Basement) and pull out all your camping gear. | | | | can. |
| Put up the tent. Does it need any new poles or pegs? | | | | |