A Minnesota Student’s Camping Gear Guide
Introduction to Camping
Camping can be an exciting and relaxing experience for the everyday hard-working student. Imagine: just you (or a group of friends), the beautiful camping terrain, adventures everywhere you turn, and a peace that only nature can fulfill. Whether you decide on a mountainous camping site, a forest area, or a beach bum outing, your chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life will be a real treat! Unfortunately, an unorganized camping trip can turn any exhilarating excursion into a complete mess. Camping gear and safety are the most important aspects of any successful camping trip; so read on in order to get the best possible start to your well-deserved journey!
Quick Tips for a Safe Trip
During the summer months, it is essential to pack up bottled water. Dehydration is one of the main culprits for camping trip complications. When you’re outside and engaged in activities that cause sweating, the body loses much needed moisture. Water prevents this loss of moisture, provides energy, and assists in keeping the body at cooler temperatures. In the winter months, it is vital to bring layers of clothing to stay warm. The proper clothing material can prevent various physical ailments such as hypothermia and frostbite. Additionally, you want to make sure that your fire-starting skills are up to par in a way that is safe to all campers involved and the grounds where the fire is prepared.
Camping Gear Item #1: Backpacks
The camping gear you choose can either make or break your outdoor adventure. We will start with backpack selections to ensure that the must-haves for camping are adequately stored. Camping backpacks are designed with many compartments to hold all of your camping tools. There are different types of backpacks made for various types of camping needs. For example, if your camping trip involves hiking or backpacking, there are backpacks designed specifically for this purpose. If your backpacking needs is more about hydration storage or carrying a laptop, there is a bag for this as well. You can even find backpacks made just for women (which assist in protecting the back from excessive weight)! Check out the wonderful selections of name brand backpacks that are guaranteed to get the job done: The North Face, Burton, Osprey, DaKine, and Camelbak. Prices for these backpacks range from $50 to a little over $200 depending on the brand and features of the bag.
Camping Gear Item #2: Tents
Your campsite tent is your portable home away from home, which serves to comfortably protect you from the outside elements (wind, rain, direct sun exposure, insects, hot and cold temperatures, etc.). The tent you choose will depend on the type of camping destination spot and the number of people said tent would need to accommodate. Moreover, camping tents vary in size, color, style, and weight. Try the three season tent for two "Roadrunner 23" from The North Face, which includes a stuff sack (for easy storage), lightweight (approximately 4 pounds), mesh doors and panels, taffeta flooring, waterproof, internal storage pockets, and light aluminum poles. Price ranges for these tents are from $100 (recommended for the money saving student) to $1,000 (for the stronghold deluxe family sized tents). Sleeping bags are frequently used in and outside the tent for extra comfort. Select a goose down, dual cord-adjustment (for sizing), lightweight, and roomy sleeping bag to heighten your camping experience!
Camping Gear Item #3: Clothing/Shoes
The proper clothing, shoes, sunglasses, and other camping gear accessories are also important to take along on your trip. Clothing protects the skin when hiking, swimming, and climbing while shoes support the feet and prevent unnecessary back pain. Patagonia has a fabulous line of clothing and footgear for your camping/hiking needs. Check out the long underwear, jacket styles, and reversible vests for winter camping or the sports bras (for the ladies), boxers (for the guys), and assortment of shorts (waterproof available). Oakley provides the cream of the crop for eyewear protection (includes goggles). Sunglasses are what protect the eyes from harmful UV rays, which any camper is exposed to while in the great outdoors. Price range for the clothing varies significantly and Oakley brand sunglasses are from $50 to $500.