Spring has sprung, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to break out that tent and hit the trails! If you are like most outdoorsy folk, this time of year offers a kind of freedom that you haven’t been able to experience in a few months. Even if you live in a warmer climate (like Florida), the odds are good that you don’t camp out as much in the winter that you do in other seasons.
No matter how anxious you are to pack up the Jeep and head for the hills or lake or flatlands, it is always best to be prepared for the mix of weather and conditions that only spring offers. Here are some tips to help.
Get Ready Before You Go!
Even if you have managed to slip in a few outings during the winter months, spring is the best time to check all of your equipment carefully. And, if everything has been packed away for months, taking the time to double check every piece of camping gear is vital to having a great experience.
Take Inventory
The first thing you need to do when going through your camping gear is take an inventory of everything you already have and what you need to purchase. We often forget items that we planned to replace over the winter months, only to discover their need while out in the woods. Avoid being stuck without something important by checking your inventory now!
Check for Wear and Tear
Your tent may have been fine when you packed it away last fall, but if a mouse managed to find it over the winter, you might be surprised to discover a few holes. Also, colder temperatures may have damaged some things. Always check for wear and tear on all of your gear before using it.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Maybe you are one of those ultra-organized people that scrubbed everything clean and packed it away in the most efficient and organized manner possible at the end of last camping season. Good for you. There won’t be much for you to do to get ready for your first camping trip. However, if you are like most of us, you threw some of that gear into a box or failed to scrub everything properly before putting it away. If that is the case, then now is the perfect time to get all of your equipment in tip-top shape.
Take a Test Drive
It is always a good idea to test your equipment before heading out on that first camping trip of the spring season. This will allow you break in new equipment (and learn how to best use and store it), as well as check older gear for damage.
Get Ready for the Challenges of Spring Camping
Spring is a wonderful time to break away for some quiet time enjoying the birth of a new season. Flowers are in bloom, animals are scurrying about, and the world is alive after months of dormancy. The problem is that all of these things can make camping a bit more challenging. Here are some things to get prepared for:
- Unpredictable weather. Spring showers may bring beautiful flowers, but they can make for a soggy camping experience. Be prepared for wet weather by placing tarps over tents for added protection, using ground mats to keep warm and dry, and watching weather reports to avoid dangerous storms.
- Animals. Remember, spring is a time of rebirth, and that means plenty of baby animals to watch out for. Depending on where you camp, you may have to take extra precautions to avoid stumbling into a dangerous situation that pits you against a protective animal parent.
- Varied temperatures. Depending on the region, you may enjoy sunny days with temperatures in the 70’s, only to face near freezing temperatures once the sun goes down. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and sleeping bags with at least a 40 degree (or lower) rating.
Find the Perfect Equipment
Planning a springtime camping trip? Be sure that you are outfitted with everything you need. Check out what NTK Global has to offer the family camping enthusiast.