It is summer and I am going camping.  Through a few camping trips I have taken in the past, I’ve  learned some very practical planning tips that have saved me time and money  and I’d like to share them with those of you who want to enjoy nature and sleep amidst it this season.

1. Reserve a campsite - Let’s face it, unless you are going to a very remote area, there will most likely be many others who will be pitching their tents at your chosen spot.  Campgrounds often get full this time of year.  I tend to like to reserve since I do not want to waste a day of my vacation stressing and driving around cooped up in the car just to find a place to sleep, I’d rather spend my time setting up the tent, roasting marshmallows, hiking and enjoying the outdoors.  So my advice is to reserve.  The earlier the better.  National and Provincial Parks seem to be the prettiest and cheapest spots and therefore are the most popular.  Check their websites and see how early you can place a reservation.  (Make sure they know how big your tent is, how many people are in your party, if you require electricity, etc.)

2. Beat the crowds - Leave home early morning or late at night.  Avoid rush hour while driving out of and back into the city.  Going away for the weekend?  Try and take off work a day early and leave Thursday night or early Friday morning to avoid line ups to park entrances, ferries, highways…  Or avoid the crowd back into the city.  Stay a day longer coming back home Monday instead of Sunday.  This is also a good tactic if you can’t or do not wish to reserve a camp spot since you’ll be there earlier than other campers.

3. List all the things you’ll need for your trip - I really hate it when I find myself setting up our camp site and realize I don’t have something I need.  I do not like it when I use any amount of time from my vacation doing chores or running errands (like shopping for essentials) that I could have done at home.   Also, you may have to pay way more for a forgotten item in a remote area than if you bought it at home.  Another good reason for that list is that if you forgot to pack something and need to buy it at the camp area, you’ll have doubles when you get home.  So make I make a very detailed list and make sure I pack everything!

4. Plan to have your home secure and looked after - If I plan to be away for more than a couple of days, I ask a family member or friend to check on my house, water the plants, bring in the mail, etc.  I also leave them some detailed instructions on how to get a hold of me in case of an emergency, and if that isn’t possible, how they might handle the emergency themselves.  I give them my landlord’s and neighbours’ contact info, my insurance company’s info, the alarm company’s contact info, etc.  It gives me peace of mind that the house is in good, prepared hands.

5. Insurance - Depending on where I am traveling to, I may get some extra health or travel insurance.  Just in case.

6. Car check-up - My family has an old car.  It is well taken care of and goes to the mechanic’s shop for a regular check up.  But if we’re taking it on the road out of province, we have it checked before the trip.  We do not want any surprises along the way.  We also have a CAA membership in case car disaster strikes.

7. Know the campground well - Does there tend to be bears in the area?  Does the weather change suddenly?  Is there clean drinking water?  Showers available?  Firewood?  These are things I like to know before I book a campsite. It helps in knowing what to pack and what to expect when I get to my destination.

8. Know where to get info and help while there - Many parks have info centres you can visit to get daily weather reports, info on trails, bear alerts, etc.  Usually, the info centre is the first place I go to upon arrival to the park, campground or destination town.  There are many brochures on how one can keep safe and prepared.  And if you did forget to bring something on your trip, they can tell you where to buy it.

9. Take the time to check out your equipment - We went camping a couple of years back and when we set up the tent, we discovered the door zipper didn’t work anymore.  We had to spend half a day of our vacation shopping for a new tent!  So, check your equipment before you go.  Make sure there are no tears on your tent, make sure the moths didn’t eat through your sleeping bags, make sure your portable stove top still works, etc.

Well, those are my tips.  But the main thing is to prepare and plan well. It makes for a way more pleasurable camping experience.

Enjoy your summer and take in all the nature you can. I know I will!

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