Camping Hacks from a Scout Leader
- Details
- Category: These Are The Days of Summer
- Published: Friday, 02 August 2024 07:15
We’re blessed to live in a country filled with natural beauty and protected park lands. In Ontario alone, over 6.6 million campsite nights were reserved in 2021 across 100 visitor-friendly provincial campgrounds. The next time you venture out for a day or weekend to experience the glory of God’s creation, here are some hacks to improve your stay.
Camp
- Bring leather work gloves or old metal tongs for managing a campfire
- Use a headlamp for hands-free lighting
- Put a tarp or ground-sheet under your tent to prevent moisture from seeping in, but don’t extend it past the edges of your tent or it might collect rain.
- Learn at least 1 basic knot (and bring rope). The Reef Knot will help you suspend a tarp, tie things to the roof of your car, keep your boat from floating away, tie a clothesline, etc.
- Create a hand wash station by filling a spouted jug with pre-mixed water and dish soap.
- Stay warm at night by filling a water bottle with hot water and placing inside your sleeping bag
- Turn off the interior lights on your car so the batteries don’t run out
Food
- Try toasting Rice Krispy squares as an alternative to S’mores
- Keep food out of reach of animals by suspending it from a tree, locking it in your car at night, or weighing it down under a picnic table.
- Prepare food in advance: pre-cut veggies and store in bags, marinade and freeze chicken, etc.
Entertainment
- Many provincial parks have planned activities and Kids Discovery Kits to borrow. Ask the front desk when you check in!
- Give your kids a nature scavenger hunt to keep them busy and exploring
- Pack rainy day or nighttime activities, like a book, board games, colouring
- Have quiet activities ready in the tent for your kids if they wake up before you
Maintenance
- Your sleeping bags will last longer if you stuff them instead of rolling. This keeps them from developing creases and reducing their effectiveness.
- Air out your tents and sleeping bags after camp to prevent mildew