Camping

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Camping Gear and Supplies

Camping describes a range of activities. Survivalist campers set off with little more than their boots, whereas recreational vehicle travelers arrive equipped with their own electricity, heat, and patio furniture. Camping is often enjoyed in conjunction with activities, such as: hiking, hill walking, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, motorcycling, swimming, and fishing. Camping may be combined with hiking either as backpacking or as a series of day hikes from a central location.

Some people vacation in permanent camps with cabins and other facilities (such as hunting camps or children's summer camps), but a stay at such a camp is usually not considered 'camping'. The term camping (or camping out) may also be applied to those who live outdoors, out of necessity (as in the case of the homeless), or for people waiting overnight in queues. It does not, however, apply to cultures whose technology does not include sophisticated dwellings. Camping may be referred to colloquially as roughing it.

Survivalist campers learn the skills needed to survive in any out-door situation. This activity may require skills in obtaining food from the wild, emergency medical treatments, orienteering, and pioneering.

"Winter camping" refers to the experience of camping outside during the winter - often when there is snow on the ground. Campers and outdoorspeople have adapted their forms of camping and survival to suit extremely cold nights and limited mobility or evacuation. Methods of survival when winter camping includes: building snow shelters such as quinzhees, igloos, or snow caves, dressing in "layers," staying dry, using low-temperature sleeping bags, and fueling the body with appropriate food.

Workcamping allows campers to trade their labor for a free campsite, and sometimes even for utilities and additional pay. Workcamping is usually seasonal, from May to October, although in warm weather countries or states such as Florida and Arizona they can be year round. Work campers are mainly individuals or couples who come into a recreational facility with their own RV and offer their labor in maintain that particular facility. In exchange they can camp for free and sometimes they might receive wages.

Adventure camping is a form of camping by people who race (possibly adventure racing or mountain biking) during the day, and camp in a minimalist way at night. They might use the basic items of camping equipment such as a micro-camping stove, sleeping bag, and Bivouac bag.

Camping is a key part of the program of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting. It is used to teach self-reliance and team work.

Boutique Camping is found at music festivals in the UK. Also called glamping, posh camping or comfy camping. It allows people to escape the hassles of finding camp space, carrying their tents, and erecting and taking down nylon tents. Companies deliver accommodation units to the festival, as well as build and breakdown the units for their guests. Various companies with various products exist. These products include: tents, bell tents, podpads, yurts, and tipis.

Sail Camping is a form of camping while sailing or boating. Sailers will visit islands and campgrounds along the shorelines, dock their boats, and set up camp. This form of sail camping gives a variety activities to the boater they may want a break from being on the water.

Beach camping is increasing in popularity in countries with open sea. The main advantage of this type of camping is that the campers do not need to carry around lots of necessary equipment. In this case, the equipment consists of a decent tent, cookware and camping stove. Beach camping is also growing in popularity because it offers a genuine camping experience without having to hike many miles and because of the recreation opportunities available by being located next to a beach.

Lake camping usually refers to the activity which involves driving a car to a campsite, near to a lake. This is normally a great choice for people who enjoy camping but do not have too much time available to do it. Lake camping is done during the weekend, as a quick vacation. Although it does not involve hiking, it is still called camping because the campers are sleeping in a tent at the site. Moreover, this is one of the most comfortable types of camping given the fact that the sites are typically regulated and there are bathroom and shower facilities available.

The equipment used in camping varies with the particular type of camping. For instance, in survival camping the equipment consists in small items which have the purpose of helping out the camper in providing food, heat and safety. The equipment used in this type of camping must be lightweight and it is restricted at only the mandatory items. Another types of camping such as winter camping involve having specially designed equipment in terms of tents or clothing which is strong enough to protect the camper's body from the wind and cold.

Survival camping involves certain items that campers are recommended to have with them in case something goes wrong and they need to be rescued. A survival kit includes mandatory items but which are small and must fit in one's pocket or could be carried on one's person. This kit is useless in these circumstances if it is kept in the backpack. Such a kit should include a small metal container which can be used to heat water over a campfire, a small length of duct tape which is small and which can prove useful in many situations and an emergency space blanket. These blankets are specially designed to occupy least space and are perfect for making emergency shelters, keeping the camper warm. Also because of the aluminum-like color this blanket is also reflective which means it can be easily seen from an aircraft. Candle stubs are good in starting a fire as well as in warming an enclosed space. One or two band-aids are mandatory in this type of camping. Any camper, and not only the survival ones need waterproof matches and a large safety pin or fish hook which can be used in fishing. Baking soda is good in rehydrating a dehydrated camper and at the same time, if it is mixed into a paste it helps hastening the cure of mosquito bites. Rubber gloves, antiseptic wipes, tinfoil, jackknife, or halazone tablets (which purify the water) are also to be included into a survival kit. Although these seem too many items to be carried on one person, they are in fact small, lightweight and definitely useful.

Winter camping can be dangerous without respecting the basic rules when it comes to this particular activity. Firstly, the cold is fought against with clothing of three types of layers as following: a liner layer against the camper's skin (longjohns), an insulation layer (fleece), and a water- and wind-proof outer shell. Although cotton is one of the best quality fabrics there is, it is not recommended to be worn on winter camping because if it gets wet it dries out very slowly and the wearer could freeze. Rather than cotton, winter campers should wear wool or synthetic materials. The boots must be waterproof and the head must be protected against the cold given that more than half of the body's heat can be lost through this part of the body. Although it seems a good choice, campers are advised not to wear too many pairs of socks as they might restrict the blood flow to the feet resulting in cold feet. Gaiters should also be worn to avoid snow and rain wetting the boots. Secondly, one should include carbohydrates into their diet to keep their body warm as well as to provide energy. Hydration is very important so winter campers should drink plenty of water to keep themselves well hydrated. Thirdly, the tent must be carefully chosen to shelter from the wind.

Camping equipment includes:

• First aid kit
• Tent, lean-to to act as a shelter.
• Hammer to drive tent stakes into soil.
• Sleeping bag and/or blankets for warmth.
• Sleeping pad or air mattress is placed underneath the sleeping bag for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground.
• Lantern or flashlight
• Hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood for a campfire.
• Fire starter or other ignition device for starting a campfire.
• Folding chairs for placement around campfire.
• Ropes for stringing clothes line and for securing the shelter.
• Tarp for adding additional layer of storm protection to a tent, and to shelter dining areas.
• Raincoat or poncho
• Hiking boots
• fishing pole
• Chuck box to hold camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup.
• Trash bags particularly one with handles can be tied to a tree limb, or clothesline off the ground. For handling of waste in backcountry see Leave no trace.
• Insect repellent particularly one that has DEET.
• Sunscreen for protecting the skin.
• Personal care products and towel
• Cooler to store perishables and beverages. If electricity is available, a thermoelectric or stirling engine cooler can be used without the need for ice.
• Beverages or portable water filter for areas that have access to rivers or lakes.
• Campers at modern campgrounds will normally bring perishable foods in coolers while backcountry campers will bring non-perishable foods such as dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and MREs.
• A tripod chained grill, Dutch oven, or La Cotta clay pot can be used for cooking on a campfire. A portable stove can be used where campfires are forbidden or impractical. If using a campground with electricity an electric frying pan or slow cooker can be used.

Much of the remaining needed camping equipment is commonly available in the home, including: dishes, pots and pans; however, many people opt not to use their home items, but instead utilize equipment better tailored for camping. These amenities include heavy plastic tableware and salt and pepper shakers with tops that close in order to shelter the shakers from rain. Backpackers use lightweight and portable equipment.