Domesticated House Hubby - Outdoorsman Edition

In a few weeks time, my wife and I will be heading off on our holiday. We are driving across the country. While an ideal vacation of this magnitude should include staying in 5 star hotels along the way, we have a dog.  So it is provincial parks and a tent for us.  I thought it may be entertaining to keep track of our adventures (and misadventures) here as we go.

Today, I am starting a list of practical gear to bring on a camping trip, along with some tips for specific items, as posted on the Parks Canada website, I have included a link at the end of the post.

Equipment:

• Tent: Be sure to rent, buy or borrow a tent that will keep you dry and comfortable.  Practise setting up the tent at home before your first camping trip. 

• Groundsheet: A groundsheet is a piece of fabric that you place under your tent to help protect your tent’s floor. 

• Tarpaulin: Bring a “tarp” and hang it above a picnic table so you can stay dry in case of rain. 

• Sleeping bag: If you don’t have a sleeping bag, bring a blanket and sheet from home. 

• Pillow: For extra comfort, bring a small pillow.  If you prefer, stuff a sack with extra clothing for a makeshift camping pillow. 

• Sleeping pad or air mattress: A sleeping pad or mat goes under your sleeping bag for extra comfort and warmth. 

• Lantern: Use a battery-powered lantern inside your tent; gas or propane powered lanterns are fine outdoors but should never be used inside tents. 

• Flashlights or headlamps with extra batteries: A flashlight headlamp keeps your hands free while shining light on whatever you are doing.  One headlamp per camper is ideal. 

• Rope or cord: Rope and cord can be used for many things including making clotheslines and hanging tarps. 

• Duct tape: Duct tape is strong, water resistant and can temporarily fix just about anything! 

• Stuff sack: These bags help to compress and organise your clothing.

Next Week - Kitchen Gear

Parks Canada