| When people go on a tent camping trip, they | | | | instead. These are easy to use and the taste is |
| already have a good idea of the things they do | | | | similar to food you would get out of a can. If it is |
| not want to do. This list can vary from person to | | | | good enough for the military, it can be good for |
| person; however, there are a few things that | | | | you too.c. Eat out of a can: This requires very |
| most people would agree on are inconveniences. | | | | minimal cooking as it only needs to be poured into |
| We have put together our list of tent camping | | | | a pot or pan and set over the fire. Easy to |
| irks and provided some tips on how to minimize | | | | accomplish, little setup time and fast to cook. |
| them. | | | | 3. Cleaning Pots: Although some people find |
| 1. Comfort level with sleeping arrangement and | | | | washing dishes and pots therapeutic, most see it |
| tent space: For people who are used to sleeping | | | | as an unwanted chore that they would gladly put |
| on a queen or king-sized bed raised several feet | | | | off. Here, are some tips to reduce the time of |
| of the ground, the prospect of sleeping on the | | | | cleaning pots.a. Use paper plates and cups: By |
| ground in a body-sized sleeping bag with little head | | | | using paper plates and cups you can reduce your |
| room to maneuver can be a little uncomfortable | | | | cleanup by burning these after you use them. This |
| to say the least. Even if you are able to adjust | | | | will not help with the cleaning of the pots, but at |
| sleeping lower to the ground in an area with less | | | | least you will not have to also clean a mess kit.b. |
| space, you still will often wake up with aches, | | | | Use your large pot: This large pot can be used as |
| pains and tired eyes from the inability of getting a | | | | a pot and dish tub in which the other smaller pots |
| quality night's sleep. To help combat this, we | | | | and dishes can be cleaned in. This should make it |
| recommend the following:a. Cot or Air Mattress: | | | | easier to clean your pots and pans and reduce |
| Purchase a cot or an air mattress that will allow | | | | your supplies.c. Make crude soap: A crude soap |
| you to be raised off the ground by a couple of | | | | can be formed from animal grease and ashes. |
| feet. This will make it easier to get up in the | | | | This will help make the cleanup easier by reducing |
| morning or in the middle of the night to use the | | | | your overall supplies and making use of materials |
| restroom and, it will be closer in similarity to your | | | | readily available. |
| sleeping arrangements at home.b. Tent with room: | | | | 4. Dealing with Insects: People tend to enjoy |
| Purchase a tent that allows for additional space, a | | | | seeing animal wildlife, but tend to enjoy dealing |
| large amount of head room and will allow you to | | | | with insects a lot less. Here, are some tent |
| stand up while changing. This will make you feel | | | | camping tips on how to make the best of this |
| less claustrophobic and give you the ability to | | | | situation:a. Purchase Off and a fly swatter: Spray |
| move around a little bit while you sleep without | | | | the general area of the campsite with Off or |
| bumping into things.c. Bring a set of ear plugs: A | | | | some other insect repellent and keep the fly |
| night in the woods can be a very peaceful | | | | swatter handy around the campfire. If flies are a |
| experience; however, sometimes the insects or | | | | large issue in your area, this will help keep them |
| animals will make a racket that will prevent you | | | | off your food and away from your campsite.b. |
| from having a good night's sleep. By using some | | | | Blend into the environment: Wear clothes that |
| ear plugs, you can block out this type of | | | | match the environment. For instance, if in a |
| background noise and start the morning fully | | | | forest, wear greens and browns. These are less |
| refreshed.d. Fresh sleeping supplies: Try to keep a | | | | likely to attract insects that bright colored shirts.c. |
| clean pair of sleeping clothes handy. Before you | | | | Scope out the area before setting up shop: Make |
| go to bed, it will be a welcome treat to be able to | | | | sure you are not putting your tent down into or |
| slip into some clean clothes that you have not | | | | near a fire ant pile, hornets nest, or beehive. |
| spent the day sweating and working in. | | | | Some effort should be made to try to find a |
| 2. Cooking: Everyone enjoys a well cooked meal. | | | | camping area that is not overrun by insects. |
| Few people enjoy the effort it takes to make | | | | The main takeaway here is to get you to start |
| one. If you are in this group, these tent camping | | | | thinking about what things you do not like to do |
| tips may help:a. Make simple meals: These meals | | | | while on a tent camping trip. Just by starting this |
| should be ones that are easy to put together, | | | | process you will begin to think of ways to |
| have few ingredients, and can be made very | | | | minimize those inconveniences. Remember the |
| quickly. For instance, pasta and rice dishes out of | | | | bottom line of any camping trip is that you should |
| a box make for easy cooking.b. Avoid the | | | | enjoy it. With a little pre-planning in this area, you |
| cooking: Purchase MREs or freeze-dried food | | | | can ensure that you do. |