You Can Be a Better Camper This Summer!

I notice that more and more people are discovering the joys of outdoor living. All types of people: young and old, rich and poor, big families and singles. They have packed up their clothes and grabbed a sleeping bag - and off they go, seeking adventure in the peace and calm of the great outdoors. Perhaps you would like to be one of them - or perhaps you have had some bad times outdoors. We're here to tell you: you can be a better camper this summer!

What is your first priority? Well, believe it or not, it's having the right type of shelter. Once you have finally arrived at your destination, what will you stay in - where will you sleep? Two basic choices in outdoor lodging are the tent or the trailer. Many people choose to live and sleep in a tent, as this has a price advantage: a tent costs much less than a trailer. But what if the weather is bad? Then a tent may not seem like such a great idea. If you do want to use a tent , you will find many options: there are a multitude of tent designs and sizes to choose from, from a one or two man pup tent, all the way up to large family size camping tents.

If your preference is for a trailer, again you will find many different models to choose from: small pop-ups and motorcycle trailers, all the way up to RV's and park models loaded with every possible convenience. All-in-all, I prefer the trailer for camping in inclement weather. I have had the misfortune to be stuck living in a tent for week when it rained every day - not fun, I can tell you! If you are hesitant to purchase a trailer because of the cost, look into purchase of a good used camping trailer. Many RV dealers sell used as well as new units.

Once you have picked the form of shelter you prefer, your next priority is having a place to cook outdoors. Of course, if you have purchased a trailer with a kitchen, this issue has automatically been dealt with. But if you have purchased a tent instead, then you will also be wise to invest in a good outdoor camp stove.

When you look at outdoor camp stoves you will see that many different types are available: large size units large enough to hold an oven (imagine - baking in the outdoors!), multi-burner units, right down to ultra-light models that mountaineers and hikers just love. And don't forget some accessories: you will need cooking utensils, attachable light for nighttime cooking, griddles, as well as replacement burners and hoses.

What else will you need to take on your wilderness trek? Well, consider this: when you need to spend some time sitting at your campsite, what will you sit on? Take it from me: let the kids sit on the old logs and tree stumps - you need something more comfortable than that! One of your wisest purchases will be a good camping chair. The latest models are both lightweight and very sturdy - capable of holding hundreds of pounds of weight, and they won't collapse!

The unthinkable can happen - medical emergencies can arise when you are miles and miles from the nearest doctor or hospital. Will you be prepared? You will stand a fighting chance if you have packed a good camping first aid kit. These kits are unlike the kits you might have at home. They are stocked with supplies that are sometimes needed outdoors - like snakebite kits, and splints for broken bones. This is an ESSENTIAL - it might save someone's life!

It's a safe bet that once you have selected the proper shelter you will use, outfitted your outdoor kitchen, have some comfy chairs, and are prepared for first aid emergencies, that you will be more prepared than ever to hit the trails and have some camping fun. As always, select products that are good-quality, buy from a reputable dealer, ask about warranties, and don't forget to comparison shop. Don't rush in to making purchases (especially for things like trailers and tents) - you might want to spend time this year researching for next year's purchase. And don't forget to have fun camping in the outdoors this summer!

Author: Larry Gilliam chats about camping, the outdoors and Coleman Camping Stoves Learn more aboutfamily size camping tents by stopping by his camping and outdoors site.
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