You might consider camping to experience nature. If so, spring may be the best time of the year to go camping. However, if you live in the South of the United States, now is actually a great time to go camping. If you are planning to go camping with your family and friends this year, read the following tips on how you can pack for an eco-friendly camping trip.
Pack Eco-friendly snacks
Depending on how many days you are going to go camping, you would want to pack the right amount of snacks accordingly. Newman’s Own Organic offers a great line of organic and nutritional snacks. They range from chocolate chip cookies to dried plums. You can also pack organic fruits bought from your supermarket or local farmers’ market. If you plan to camp overnight, make sure you buy dehydrated food because they do not spoil as easily.
Pack a water bottle for each camper
Nalgene bottles are BPA free and are great for camping trips. You can also refill any existing plastic water bottle with filtered water. Also, research the campsite in advance to ensure that they have a reliable water source. Otherwise, you will need to bring a portable water purification system.
Pack a flashlight
You can bring the flashlight that you have at home or purchase a used one online.
Borrow sleeping bags
Before you go out and buy sleeping bags, ask yourself how often do you plan to go camping? If this is your first experience, you should first borrow sleeping bags from friends. If you and your family enjoy the camping trip, then, you can invest in new sleeping bags for future trips. There are a lot of people who think they would enjoy camping and wind up storing their camping gear in their attic or garage, after using their gear just once or twice. Down filled bags are very warm but may be a bit expensive. The other option is a synthetic bag which is quite durable but not as environmentally friendly.
Borrow a tent
Again, if you are new to camping, borrow a tent from your family or friends. Once you have gone camping at least twice and know that you will be camping more frequently, then, purchase a tent.
Pack a first aid kit
A kit should contain at a minimum: bandages, gauze, medical tape, small scissors, disinfectant, antibiotic cream, antihistamine and insect repellant.
Pack a GPS or map
To make sure you don’t get lost, research the camping site before hand and bring a GPS or trail map with you on your camping trip.
Bring some extra paper bags
Use these extra paper bags to carry your trash so you don’t wind up littering at the campsite. Most campsites do have their own waste baskets, but this keeps you prepared just in case.
Pack enough clothes
Dress in layers and remember to bring an extra set of clothes for each camping day.
Pack simple games
Bring one or two board games for night time gatherings with the kids. A deck of cards is small and easy to bring as well. For older kids, have each one of them pack one of their favorite books to read at night.
Bring a camera
To capture those special memories, remember to bring your camera.
Use the camping trip as an opportunity to educate your kids on how important it is to protect and respect nature. Remember to clean after yourself and respect nature (do not take natural souvenirs with you, instead, leave nature alone and take photos of whatever you encounter). Enjoy the fresh air. It is an eye opening experience.
Pack Eco-friendly snacks
Depending on how many days you are going to go camping, you would want to pack the right amount of snacks accordingly. Newman’s Own Organic offers a great line of organic and nutritional snacks. They range from chocolate chip cookies to dried plums. You can also pack organic fruits bought from your supermarket or local farmers’ market. If you plan to camp overnight, make sure you buy dehydrated food because they do not spoil as easily.
Pack a water bottle for each camper
Nalgene bottles are BPA free and are great for camping trips. You can also refill any existing plastic water bottle with filtered water. Also, research the campsite in advance to ensure that they have a reliable water source. Otherwise, you will need to bring a portable water purification system.
Pack a flashlight
You can bring the flashlight that you have at home or purchase a used one online.
Borrow sleeping bags
Before you go out and buy sleeping bags, ask yourself how often do you plan to go camping? If this is your first experience, you should first borrow sleeping bags from friends. If you and your family enjoy the camping trip, then, you can invest in new sleeping bags for future trips. There are a lot of people who think they would enjoy camping and wind up storing their camping gear in their attic or garage, after using their gear just once or twice. Down filled bags are very warm but may be a bit expensive. The other option is a synthetic bag which is quite durable but not as environmentally friendly.
Borrow a tent
Again, if you are new to camping, borrow a tent from your family or friends. Once you have gone camping at least twice and know that you will be camping more frequently, then, purchase a tent.
Pack a first aid kit
A kit should contain at a minimum: bandages, gauze, medical tape, small scissors, disinfectant, antibiotic cream, antihistamine and insect repellant.
Pack a GPS or map
To make sure you don’t get lost, research the camping site before hand and bring a GPS or trail map with you on your camping trip.
Bring some extra paper bags
Use these extra paper bags to carry your trash so you don’t wind up littering at the campsite. Most campsites do have their own waste baskets, but this keeps you prepared just in case.
Pack enough clothes
Dress in layers and remember to bring an extra set of clothes for each camping day.
Pack simple games
Bring one or two board games for night time gatherings with the kids. A deck of cards is small and easy to bring as well. For older kids, have each one of them pack one of their favorite books to read at night.
Bring a camera
To capture those special memories, remember to bring your camera.
Use the camping trip as an opportunity to educate your kids on how important it is to protect and respect nature. Remember to clean after yourself and respect nature (do not take natural souvenirs with you, instead, leave nature alone and take photos of whatever you encounter). Enjoy the fresh air. It is an eye opening experience.
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