It looks serene, but imagine the tunes bumping out of a stereo.
OFJCC Social Media Specialist Yana Z. does not do things halfway. When she went on a camping trip earlier this summer, she and her friends enjoyed a top-notch outdoorsy experience. Here, she shares with us five unexpected tips to win at camping all summer long.
I am what you’d call a “Professional Camper.” I’ve been doing it for years so I know a new camper when I see one. For example, if I see you at the campsite wearing a white shirt or pants: You’re doing it wrong! I am here to share some of my favorites that you wouldn’t know about unless someone told you, but once you know, you’ll thank me!
- A Sleeping Pad
Leave that bulky, space-wasting air mattress at home and invest in a sleeping pad. Not only will this save space in your trunk and tent, it will give you the best sleep ever and your back will thank you in the morning. My favorite pick would have to be REI’s Exped MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pad. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but if you feel like this is out of your budget range, find a friend who will loan you one!
- Glowsticks
No, these won’t help light your way to the bathroom at night but they will help you when you’re reaching into your cooler and you want to grab a beer instead of a soda. Crack a few glow sticks and toss them in your cooler so when you open it, you can find your choice of drink and you’ll spend less time searching in that icy sea and more time hanging out by the fire with your family and friends.
- Two Towels
This one’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget. It’s simple: one towel to take to the lake and one for the showers. If your campsite does not have showers, you’ll still want to bring one for the end of the day.
- A Power Bank
Why should you bring a power bank when the whole point of camping is to spend less time on your phone? I’m glad you asked. It’s to charge the portable speakers. What’s camping without some good ol’ Dierks Bentley country tunes? This power bank lasted me for four full days and I was able to charge my speaker several times.
- Portable Inflatable Floats/Rafts
Imagine having to put a huge ten-foot float back into its original box at the end of your trip. You don’t want to waste your time with that, especially because the smaller ones work great. My group of friends had more fun on the Explorer 200 than we did on a big floating island that cost more than $90. You’ll still have fun and won’t have to deal with the hassle or price tag of a larger one. Just don’t forget to bring the pump!
Don’t forget the essentials of course. You can’t go camping without a tent, food or comfortable shoes and expect to have a good time. What are some of your camping essentials? We’d love to hear what you can’t live without!
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