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Camping
101
Whether
you're driving an RV or snoozing in a tent, camping can be
a fun, safe summer adventure for all the family.
By Diane
Bair and Pamela Wright
Mother
Nature's overnight accommodations come with a different set
of rules than, say, a four-star hotel. Greg Nikas of Newburyport,
Massachusetts, found that out the hard way: He once woke to
a tent full of squirrels, attracted by trail mix in a backpack.
"It totally freaked me out," says this camper, who now knows
that food in a tent is a no-no. "Definitely a lesson learned!"
If it's been awhile since you've made s'mores by a fire, brush
up your camping skills with these tips.
Prepping
and packing
If you're using a new or borrowed tent or just haven't had
yours out for a couple of seasons, do a test-run at home in
the backyard. (Better to perfect your teamwork strategy --
and find out if something's missing -- before you go!) If
you're RV camping, double-check your route, so you don't end
up trying to squeeze your rig through a tiny tunnel or under
a low bridge.
What to
bring? Key items for tent campers include a tarp or ground
cloth and a rug to put at the entrance of the tent to reduce
tracked-in dirt. For sheer comfort, the most indispensable
item is a thick sleeping pad or self-inflating air mattress.
If you're RVing, bring an assortment of tools, extra hoses,
and several wooden leveling blocks. We wouldn't leave home
without headlamps (flashlights that leave your hands free)
and citronella candles. Because many campgrounds have gone
high-tech, with WiFi access and online booking, you may also
want to cart along a laptop.
Plan your
meals in advance, and pack ingredients in labeled, sealed
containers, organized by meal. Pack only what you'll need
(take two cups of flour instead of a 5-pound bag) and don't
forget the seasonings, spices, butter, and oil.
Roof-rack
rules
Wondering how to fit all your camping gear into your vehicle?
A roof storage system is a great way to gain more space. (Don't
own one? Companies such as U-Haul will rent one to you.) Play
it safe: Check the load rating of your roof rack and don't
exceed it. Make sure the weight load is evenly distributed
across the length and width of the rack. Never place heavy
items on a roof rack; this will affect your vehicle's center
of gravity and increase the likelihood of rollover. (Instead,
use it for light, bulky items such as sleeping bags, tent,
and pillows; this allows quick setup at the campsite.) Always
read the owner's manual.
Snagging
a campsite
Arrive early! In popular locations, campgrounds fill up fast.
It's easier to find that ideal campsite if you get there by
midafternoon -- especially if you don't have a reservation.
Jack and Jackie Blank of Hardy, Virginia, learned this the
hard way on a recent trip to Shenandoah National Park. "The
drive took much longer than we thought, so we arrived superlate,"
Jackie recalls. "Stumbling around in the dark, we couldn't
find our site, much less put up the tent, so we ended up sleeping
in our truck. Not fun!"
If you're
tent camping, lie down before you pitch the tent to check
the slope and feel for protruding rocks and other potential
miseries. If you're RVing, pick a site that fits your rig
-- factoring in extra room for your AC, TV antenna, slide-outs,
and awnings.
Unwelcome
visitors
How can you avoid guests of the furry persuasion, like bears?
If you're tent camping, take advantage of the metal food lockers
offered at some campgrounds. Clear your car of food wrappers,
drink cans, and even the crumbs left behind in the baby seat.
Never take food into your tent or anything that smells like
food: minty-fresh toothpaste, fruity soap, the clothes you
cooked in, and so on.
It's fine
to store food in a hard-sided trailer or RV, but close doors,
windows, and vents when you're away. Keep trash in a food
locker or bear-proof dumpster -- never leave it out at night.
And be
sure to deter unsavory two-legged visitors too by locking
up all laptops, iPods, and other valuables in a car or camper
while you're out exploring.
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Five Picture-Postcard Sites
Wondering
where to stake your tent? Check out these U.S. campgrounds.
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Lost in the Wilderness
Did your pricey camping gear disappear
while you were hiking? Your home, condo, or renters
insurance should cover the theft of your stuff. That's
because this insurance covers your possessions, whether
you're at home, on the road, or far away from civilization.
There may be limits on specialized equipment such
as guns or expensive camera equipment.
See
policy for restrictions.
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