Going camping – be prepared

One of the best ways to spend a holiday is to pack a tent, a sleeping bag and head for the great outdoor camping. Whether you’re with a group of friends or your family, camping can be really good fun and very sociable way to spend time visiting somewhere new.

Camping

Camp-sites are often in idyllic locations and often have easy access to activities like climbing, hiking or beach based activities.

And you needn’t restrict yourself to camping just in the summer. There are plenty of places that you can camp through the spring and into the autumn, depending on the weather and how hardy you are. In fact, there’s something special about waking up on a misty cool morning in the autumn and getting your camping stove going while the rest of the camp-site comes to life.

Be Prepared

But – as the boy scouts always say – it’s best to be prepared. This means making sure you have all the necessary camping equipment with you, as well as a good selection of clothing. Obviously, camp-sites aren’t fashion catwalks, but you will need good quality layered clothing to keep you warm – especially in the evenings and at night.

The best way to do this is to have base layer garments, which fit snugly to your body but still allow your skin to breathe. Next you should have an insulation layer or two. Often the best choice material is micro-fleece, as it packs down easily when you want to take it off. Men’s fleece jackets can work well for the middle or insulation layer. Finally, and probably most importantly, you’ll need a waterproof layer – a good quality jacket to keep the wind and rain off you, should the weather turn against you.

Even if you have a really hot week while you’re camping, you’ll still appreciate the extra warmth you’ll get from a good fleece jacket when you’re having an evening under the stars by the camp fire!