5 ideas that will make your experience more enjoyable
For many people, there’s no place they would rather be than in front of a campfire out in the wilderness. It might be something instinctive or just a desire to get away from life’s hustle and bustle. But whatever the reason, camping is an excellent way to unwind and appreciate nature. And even if you’ve been camping for years, there are always things you can do to make the experience better, especially if you will be with friends or family. Here are some ideas to think about for your next trip:
New ways to make classic foods
While hotdogs may be standard camping fare, there are tons of other things you can cook over an open fire. Tacos, for example. But instead of filling tortilla shells with all the fixings, you can make things much easier (and neater) by using small Doritos bags.
As for dessert, what’s a camping trip without s’mores? While there are lots of ways to up your s’mores game, if kids will be involved and you’re concerned about messy little hands, substitute waffle cones for graham crackers. Then fill them with chocolate, marshmallows, and anything else you want, wrap them in foil, and put them on the hot coals for about five minutes or so.
Easy-peasy breakfasts
If you want to cook up a hearty breakfast, eggs are a perfect item for a camping menu. But you don’t have to bring a carton and hope they remain intact until you reach the campsite. A better alternative is to crack a bunch in a mason jar or water bottle and keep them in your fridge or cooler. When you’re ready to cook, just shake it up and you’ll have scrambled eggs in no time. You can use the same tactic for pancakes; just put the dry mix in one jar or bottle and the water and egg in another, mix them together, and shake well.
Foolproof fire starters
While you may be crafty enough to be able to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, that skill probably won’t help you if all you can find are wet sticks. Camping during damp and rainy parts of the year poses a challenge to campfires, even with matches and lighter sticks available. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to make something that will help get the fire burning. Before you leave on your trip, collect some empty toilet paper rolls and lint from your dryer’s lint trap. Once the lint is stuffed inside, it becomes very potent kindling. Place them under the driest logs you can find and light her up.
A pleasantly-lit campsite
While your fire can provide some good illumination, you will probably want some other light sources handy, especially once you put the fire out. Flashlights are always a good idea, as our lanterns, but they can both be too bright, particularly inside a tent. A better option is to bring along some headlamps and gallons of water. When you strap one around the jug – with the light aimed at the water – you’ve created a nice, soft glow. Another good way to subtly brighten things up is to place solar lights in the ground around your tent. Once the sun goes down, they will provide beacons if and when you need to make a midnight bathroom excursion.
Accessories mosquitoes hate
Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than those little bloodsuckers, but this doesn’t mean you have to cover up every piece of skin or coat yourself in repellents. While citronella candles can be effective at keeping mosquitoes away, you can’t stray too far from them. This is why the better option could be to have something with you at all times. Sporting a paracord bracelet infused with essential oils like lavender and peppermint is an excellent way to prevent the buggers from biting.
If you have any tips, tricks, or hacks about camping or RVs, we welcome you to share your story with us!
