The calendar says March, but the warmer temperatures stir my heart to thoughts of spring. My son is going camping with his Boy Scout troop the last weekend of March and I have to say I'm envious. I enjoy so much being out in the warm sunshine and breathing the fresh, crisp air. Being outdoors inspires my writing. My husband says that we may be able to go camping one weekend next month, and I can't wait. I've been looking at web sites of private campgrounds and wondering if they would be nicer than state or Federal run campgrounds.
But before you can go camping after the long, cold winter, you will have to do some housekeeping chores. Here's a list of spring housekeeping duties for a happy camping experience:
Camping Supplies
- You should inspect your supply boxes to see if any supplies need to be replenished, or thrown away if they have spoiled.
- You also should check your air mattresses for leaks and repair them, or purchase replacements.
- Check any lanterns or flashlights to make sure they still work. Buy a package of the appropriate batteries and extra bulbs to keep with the camping supplies in case your flashlights and/or lanterns burn out.
- If you have lights that you hang on your screen house or over your campsite, plug them in and make sure they still work and they're not falling apart.
- Make sure any bedding, whether sleeping bags or comforters and/or sheets, are clean and make any necessary repairs, or purchase replacements.
- If you use citronella candle buckets or torches with citronella oil, make sure the candles aren't melted and you have plenty of citronella oil. Keep replacement wicks on hand. My husband also uses rubber gloves to pour the citronella oil in the torches so his hands won't get dirty.
Living and Dining Quarters
- Put the tent up and check for rips or leaks. Don't forget to clean it. Spray waterproofing on the tent, and apply new seam sealant if necessary. Sweep out the inside.
- Make sure you have all the stakes for the tent and rainfly. Check to make sure the ropes for the rainfly are not rotted.
- You should put your screen house or gazebo up to make sure it doesn't have any tears and clean it if it's dirty.
- If you have an RV, travel trailer, or 5th wheel, dewinterize it and replenish the supplies.
- Make sure the tires are all inflated and the hitch is not rusty and the tongue on the hitch moves freely – if not, get out the WD40 and spray it on the hitch.
- Hose the trailer down if it's dirty. Make sure all awnings work and are not ripped or dirty.
- Make sure the propane tanks are full and remove any tire covers (on the tires that hit the road, that is – leave the cover on the spare tire).
This sounds like a lot of work, but once all of this is done, you'll be ready to go camping the first warm weekend and not have to worry about getting things together at the last minute. You can decide on a Thursday evening, "Let's go camping this weekend!" and all you'll have to do is plan your menu, get food supplies, and pack your clothes and health and beauty items!
Well, that's all for now. Until next time –
Happy camping!
Diane
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