The Great Outdoors

Photo by: Steve & Jemma Copley

The most obvious way to save money and reduce consumption is to strap on the ole' backpack and head for the hills. I am not a camper. Not that I can't be one, I just have no desire to try. But the rest of my family are avid hikers and tent lovers so it looks like I'm the odd duck.

Out of respect for other nature lovers and the environment, aim to leave no trace of your trip when you camp. Obviously you won't want to carve your name in trees or stage your own bonfire, but beyond the duh-factor you'll want to stay on designated paths, refrain from breaking limbs from trees, and know the park's requirements for soap usage.

According to Camping Magazine, smaller groups tend to act more responsibly than large ones. Play all camp games in designated open spaces or indoor areas. When camping in the backwoods (definitely not for the novice) move your site every few days to avoid depleting one area.

To avoid carrying mounds of waste during a hike, purchase food in minimal packaging and make only what you need. Some parks even have a no-trace check up to evaluate how well campers are respecting the natural resources.

Figuring out what camping gear to bring on your outdoor trip is daunting. The following list of gear and supplies, Eagle Scout certified, is entirely comprehensive, including no more and no less than what you'll need for a good time.

  • Sleeping bag (+20 C works well for most climates)
  • Compact sleeping pad (Thermarest or similar)
  • 3-season tent
  • Plastic ground cover for under the tent
  • Lightweight water-proof/breathable shell layer (jacket & pants)
  • Compass
  • Map
  • Camp-suds
  • Small knife
  • Stove & fuel
  • Backpacking food
  • Minimum of 2 quarts of water (one 2-quart bladder and two 1-quart Nalgene bottles and fill enough for the day. Extra containers are nice for purifying water at the camp site or if you drink a lot)
  • Water purification system
  • Matches and/or lighter
  • 1 or 2 lightweight pots for cooking
  • Cup or bowl if needed
  • Spoon
  • 1 or 2 bandanas (good for many things: wash rag, head cover, snot collector, improv-bandage for first aid, etc)
  • Blister supplies (mole skin / bandages)
  • Bear-bag rope for hanging smellables at night.
  • Bag to hang smellables
  • Stocking cap
  
  • Sunglasses
  • Two pairs underwear
  • Lightweight silk long underwear if chilly
  • Hiking boots
  • Sandals or light-weight shoes for walking around the campsite
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Pack rain cover
  • Lightweight Crazy Creek style chair
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  • Chapstick with sun protection
  • Poop shovel
  • Toilet paper
  • Extra plastic zip-lock bags and 13-gallon trash bags for water protection and carrying trash.
  • Camera
  • Optional bag of wine for night-time relaxing around a fire.
  • Backpack to fit all this stuff
  • Shorts and/or pants (non-cotton)
  • Two pairs of hiking socks
  • Two pairs sock liners
  • Hat for sun protection
  • Glove liners and/or wool mittens
  • One short-sleeve synthetic shirt (cotton does not dry well)
  • One long-sleeve synthetic shirt
  • Light insulating jacket if needed

Best Camping Spots in the U.S.:
We've evaluated camp ground reviews from across the country—of course the Grand Canyon is the mothership of outdoor lovers, but not everyone can afford to drive that far. Even if you live in a flat plain, finding places to camp within an hour or two is easy. Here are some of the favorites:

  1. Glacier National Park—Kintler Lake, MT
  2. Guadalupe Mountains NP—Dog Canyon, TX
  3. Mount St. Helens—Lower Falls Recreation Area, WA
  4. Natchez Trace Parkway—Merriweather Lewis Monument, TN
  5. Cumberland Island—Sea Camp, GA
  6. Alexander Springs Campground—Umatilla, FL
  7. Eagle Nest Area Campgrounds—Cimarron, NM
  8. Yosemite Campgrounds—Yosemite, CA
  9. Mueller State Park Campground—Divide, CO
  10. Ludington State Park—MI

Next: Service Trips

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