Camping and associated outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, scuba diving and fishing are becoming more and more popular, with millions of Americans taking camping vacations each year. When planning a camping trip, it’s a good idea to begin with a checklist well ahead of time, with all the camping supplies you will need. There almost nothing more irritating than finding out at dinner time that you’ve forgotten to bring a can opener, and that can of peaches will have to go back home with you, unopened.
What will you be doing this summer?
Camping is increasingly becoming the favorite American holiday, with the number of campers increasing by 3 million between 2010 and 2012. The number of hikers in 2014 was estimated to be 38.05 million people. That’s because outdoor holidays offer a complete getaway from the pressures of everyday life. It’s a chance to breathe clean air, enjoy nature, and watch the stars come out as you sit around the campfire.
People go camping with family and friends, though the greater number, or 70% of all camping trips are with friends. People who enjoy camping make several trips each year, with the average camper making 4.97 camping trips as of 2012. Most campers use public campgrounds, and engage in various outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, kayaking, scuba diving, and more.
Camping opens the door to outdoor fun
Many campgrounds have facilities for other activities, such as fishing and kayaking. They might also have hiking, running or biking trails, or rollerblading tracks. Kayaking and rollerblading are sports that enhance the cardiovascular system by regulating blood circulation and heart rate. According to an estimate from American Council on Exercise, a person weighing 125 pounds cab burn around 283 calories an hour while kayaking.
There almost no better way to see a place than from the water. Kayaking lets you get up close to the wildlife, and to get to places you couldn’t reach on foot or by car or bike. Depending on where the campsite is located, many people choose to use it as their base for sightseeing. Not only is it cheaper than any other kind of accommodation, it’s much more fun and offers greater flexibility.
Don’t forget the matches
Or the can opener. Whether it’s a simple overnight trip or a weeklong expedition, it helps to plan ahead. Experienced campers start a checklist at least a week or two ahead, with all the camping supplies that will be needed on the trip. Part of the excitement of a camping holiday is watching the piles of camping gear on the living room floor grow larger and larger as the day of departure nears. A checklist makes sure you haven’t forgotten anything essential, like matches, shampoo or the can opener.
Camping equipment and sporting goods stores can provide practically all camping needs: sleeping bags, tents, cooking equipment, specially packed foods, trail mixes, water bottles, adventure clothing and adventure gear. The most popular camping purchase in the last year was battery-powered lighting. This is especially important for older campers.
The best thing about most camping supplies is that they will last you a good long time. Maybe that’s why Americans spend around 1.8 billion U.S. dollars on camping equipment every year.
There are so many reasons to love camping. It gives you a chance to be out in the natural world and hear the owls calling as the moon rises. It’s a way of reliving happy childhood memories and creating new ones for your own kids. It’s the food you cook on a campfire and the inevitable singing. The fireflies and katydids. All right, we can tell you’ve got the bug. Time to start your checklist of camping supplies.
