Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the shovel is? Well, it’s not in its bracket on the back of the RV where it should be, because someone used it to shovel the first snow of the season. Just like the flashlight is not in its place in the night crate. You don’t even know that the kids used the waterproof matches for the bonfire at Halloween. These are all going to be little surprises for the first night on camp if you don’t prepare now. Those falling-about campfire stories are built around these mishaps, but they are always better when they are not at your own expense.
Get excited – camping time is at hand. Like New Year, you have the opportunity to make a fresh start to the camping season. Here’s what you need to do.
- Test The Team.A pre-camp get-together to debrief
last year’s successes and failures will highlight what you want to do this season. Consider it a good excuse to get Honey, the kids and your camping buddies around a barbeque. You may have forgotten about the bad pole on the small tent, but someone will remember it. Decide on the program for the year; make a wish list for new gear, new activities and new places. Lessons learned last year must not be lost – try to eliminate recent mistakes and increase the fun this time around. Everyone will have an opinion and you’re bound to have some great new ideas. - Check the Checklist. A basic checklist will make planning, preparation and packing effortless. Last time the can opener was left behind and that wreaks havoc on the Happy Honey plan. If Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy – that’s universal. She’ll be happier when all the essentials are where they should be. Let’s try to keep it that way.
- Grease the Gear. Winter storage has a few built-in
bugbears. Rubber seals perish, metals rust and fabric tears. Murphy’s First Law of Storage says that the likelihood of any or all of them happening while everything was packed away for the winter is high. Check rubber seals on gas bottles and door seals on the RV. Clean and oil metal finishes and check the pole connectors. Replace batteries and clean terminals. Waterproof and patch the tents. Get repair kits and spares for anything you can’t afford to have break down on a cold and rainy night. - Gear Up. Some damaged and outdated equipment may have to be replaced. Manufacturers use the winter to innovate and improve, so now would be a great time to take a look at the developments and new products in the market place. This is a boy's version of shoe shopping (we de
serve retail therapy too), not to mention the Jonesing factor involved in owning better technology. The dude on the neighboring site with the blistered hands and a pot in the fire will be inspecting your equipment as soon as he thinks neither you nor his wife is watching. Probably after midnight with a flashlight. - Watch the Weather. Don’t let the warming weather fool you – it’s not summer yet. Keep warm clothing at hand. Spring brings the start of growth – that means grass may be sparse and surfaces may still be moist. An extra ground sheet is going to come in handy. Make sure the sleeping bags are suitable for semi-cold weather too. This is probably the ideal opportunity to look at your own portable shower, because warm water is going to be an essential. Plus, Honeys’ Happiness is directly linked to what she doesn’t have to do without.
Spend a few easy hours planning ahead before you set out – it will help you be a happy camper this year.
So how do you go about preparing for your first camping trip of the year? We'd like to hear your best tips and embarrassing stories (we don't mind if you change names or blame it on your camp buddies). Tell us your stories and you'll be in line for a prize for the best post of this quarter.Labels: Camping, contribute, free, new gear, preparation, prize, Spring preparations, stories
by: Camping Shower World
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