Organize camping tour like a pro

by BREO BOX July 28, 2020

It’s camping time! While traveling during a coronavirus pandemic is risky and not recommended, camping represents a low-risk outdoor activity. According to one survey 1 in 3 Americans are still planning on taking a road trip this summer, and 24% of them are going to national parks.

This shows that camping with family, friends, and pets not only is the best option this summer but also the safest. If you want to organize a camping tour like a pro this summer, follow our simple tips and travel stress-free!

Photo by Blake Wisz on Unsplash

Gather your camping team

First, think about who you want to camp with. Camping with family, children, friends, or pets is not the same. Once you decide who you are camping with, consider how many members your camping team will have. Of course, camping with a large group is fun, but it is difficult to organize a large group if you do not have experience.

A large group of people will have many more requests, so it will be difficult to satisfy everyone’s desires. Also, it is safer to travel with a smaller group of people, now that we have to keep our distance. If you’re going to organize camping for the first time, it’s better to have a small group of dedicated people to plan and cooperate.

Create a chat group and add all campers

Once you determine the group of people who are going camping, it is important to dedicate some time to communication channels. You have to be connected to all team members and keep them informed. The best way to keep everyone updated is to create a chat group. Pick one social platform (for example Viber or WhatsApp) and create a group with all campers. This way everyone on the team will be in the same place and informed at the same time. You will also find it easier and faster to agree on important things.

Pick the perfect camping location

If you go camping alone, you can easily choose where to go. But if you’re about to camp with others, then the interests of the group are the most important when it comes to choosing the location. The main goal of the camping trip is all people enjoy the trip and have fun.

Let all members give their suggestions. Make a pros and cons list and vote! If you want to find some primitive campsites or state/national parks and get away from crowded campgrounds, you will have to check online information and make a reservation.

Photo by Chris Holder on Unsplash

Check camping websites and make a reservation

If you have chosen a location where you will camp, now is the time to make a reservation. Since it is summer, you will not be the only one who wants to camp. That is why it is important to make a reservation in advance. You can also call the campground directly for more details or book it online.

Protect yourself and your team during the trip

It’s important to stay safe while camping due to COVID-19. Before you go camping, learn how to stay safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, try to practice social distance as much as you can, and avoid crowded public places. Wash your hands more often, wear a cloth face-covering in public and check the state and local travel restrictions.

Make a packing list

Now that you’ve made a reservation and assembled your team, it’s time to make a packing list. If you don’t want to miss something during the trip or be stressed while packing your stuff the day before, make a packing list. It doesn’t have to be something complicated, you just need to create a list of basic things you are going to need.

Read also: Don’t forget to pack these things before your next trip

Before you start with the packing list, check the weather conditions and camp rules. Make sure you add the fundamentals of camping to your list first. Those are shelter, food, and clothing.

Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash

And if you still need help with a packing list, here are some usual camping stuff people bring:

Shelter/tent
Sleeping bag
Picnic blanket
Small knife
Headlamps or flashlight
Water and water bottles
Swimwear
Sneakers or hiking boots
Socks
Rainwear
Toilet paper
Sunscreen
Antiseptic wipes
First-aid kit
Lighter
Plates and utensils
Sunglasses
Trash bags

Decide what to eat and make a grocery list.

Food is the most important part of every camping or picnic activities. So, talk with your friends and decide which meals and snacks to bring. Make sure to choose meals that are healthy and without containing heavy or bulky ingredients. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a great option. You can also bring ingredients to make sandwiches or the food you cooked and put in small containers.

Here are some favorite camping meals you can start with: sandwiches, pasta with red sauce, fresh fruit and vegetables, chips and salsa, muffins, bacon, cheese, beef jerky, dried fruits, and other. When you decide which dishes to make, prepare a grocery list, and go shopping.

Learn the camping rules

One of the most important things when it comes to organizing a camping tour is checking the camping rules. Not all campsites are the same and everyone has their own rules. Some camps require that you observe silence during night hours such as between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

So, forget about partying. Also, don’t be surprised, but some camps don’t allow campfires while in other fires may be allowed only during certain times. Some campgrounds have notifications related to potential hazards or animals. Besides, some camps do not allow pets.

Photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash

Determine what supplies and equipment you will carry

Food and shelter are the most important things when it comes to camping. But there are many other things you need to take with you. To make sure you don't forget something, make a small checklist.

First, bring a tent or shelter with enough space to store your sleeping bags and stuff. Bring everything you’ll need for preparing food as well as your own plates and travel mugs.

Make sure to pack firewood, cutting board, roasting sticks for marshmallows, sponge, cooking utensils, table cloth, trash bags, first aid kit, warm clothes, water bottles, paper towels, soap, but also camping mats and a picnic blanket. If the surface on which you are camping is grass, picnic blanket can be used for sitting or lying. Although you can take any blanket, only a real picnic blanket has waterproof material on one side and provides a perfect experience.

To enjoy your camping tour to the fullest, try Oniva blanket! Oniva blanket tote outdoor picnic blanket is a large, soft, and durable picnic blanket that you can use on grass, at the beach, or simply in your backyard. It’s made of cozy polyester on the topside and water-resistant material underside. This unique product is easy to carry, with integrated straps to provide an easy-to-carry experience. Moreover, this cool blanket has a zippered pocket flap for phone and important item storage!

Find it in our summer subscription box along with the best gadgets you can take on your camping tour!

Prepare everything for outdoor activities and fun

So, you have prepared the location, friends, food and equipment, what is missing? Outdoor activities and fun! First check your camp location in order to find some activities nearby, such as hiking, fishing, swimming, or similar.

Talk to your camping team and decide what activities you are going to do. Most national park campgrounds have nearby activities such as hiking trails. You can check their websites. But you can also bring board games, playing cards, a ball, frisbee, and some music.

Bring your power bank in case you run out of power

You certainly don’t want your battery to run out before you take cool pictures and videos with friends while camping. To make sure your phone has enough battery when going outdoors, and staying connected with others, bring a power bank. Any portable power bank is the best gadget to bring on a camping because they are small, handy, and easy to carry around. This small gadget can save your camping time.

Check also: How to choose the right power bank

Check the weather two weeks earlier, but also two days before camping

Finally, don’t forget to check the weather conditions, again. Even if you have checked the weather two weeks earlier, make sure you check it again two days before camping. See if there is any prediction of bad weather or an upcoming thunderstorm. If it is going to rain, bring raincoats, umbrellas and appropriate clothes.