Camping is a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s also crucial that you do it safely. While there is always some level of risk involved, the more prepared you are, the more you lower that risk. You can mitigate many issues or safety risks by packing correctly, bringing the right gear and clothing, and following a safety plan. Let’s take a look at how this adds up and what items you should pack.
Table of Contents
Things you can do to plan your camping gear for a safe trip
Know what activities you will be doing
There are many things to see and do on a camping trip. When you take some time to plan out these activities, you can also plan for the gear or supplies you will need to bring along. Will you be hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, or swimming? These are just a few examples. You also want to plan for any games, recreational activities, or downtime activities so you know what to bring with you.
Know your campsite
It’s equally important to know your camp. If this is a site you frequent, then you may already know it very well. Just take some time to update yourself on any potential hazards or risks at this particular time of year when you are visiting. If you’re unsure, you can check the campsite’s website or talk to a park ranger or send an email.
Know who is coming along
You also need to know who is coming with you on the camping trip to plan your gear for maximum safety.
Are the people camping experienced? Will there be children, or will you bring very young children like infants and toddlers? Does anyone who is coming have severe allergies and require an Epipen? Does anyone who is coming require daily medications or injections for their health? How will you carry and store these medications, and how will you ensure they are taken on time? Is there anyone coming camping with you who has asthma, heart conditions, or mobility issues? Will they need any special accommodations while on the trip? Do you have an emergency plan in place should they get sick or something go wrong? Yes, it’s a lot of questions, but they are vital to a safe camping trip and what supplies or gear you will bring.
Know what you will eat
Food and water will be a big part of your camping supplies. You won’t survive long without them, particularly the hydration. You must ensure you have enough food and water for everyone attending, and it’s a good idea to have some backup for emergencies, too. If something happened and you were stuck out longer than you had planned to be, you’d want to know you have enough to get everyone through.
Know what dangers are around
Finally, a part that some people don’t like to think about is that there can be dangers around you. Even when camping in dedicated parks and campsites, there are dangers present. You need to do your due diligence beforehand and know what these risks and dangers are, and prepare your whole camping party for them. Bring along any supplies that will help you in the event of an emergency. Also, bring any tools or supplies that can help you avoid any of these dangers.
With these tips, you can plan your camping gear for a safe trip. While it’s true that there are so many options available for camping gear and supplies, it’s also true that you don’t need all of them. You only need the things that directly relate to THIS trip and what will be used. Who wants to lug around a bunch of extra stuff they don’t need anyway?
Now that you have these ideas, are you ready to shop and pack for your next camping trip?
