Some camping tips now that summer has arrived
By Steve Rogers — Into the Outdoors
Well, summer has arrived with a vengeance. I don’t know what the weather is like at your house, but at mine it is so hot and humid I stare out the windows and dream about fall. However, many people must take their long planned camping trips because the kids are out of school and this is the only time they have to do it. If you must camp in conditions like these, there are several things that you can do to make your experience much more enjoyable.
First thing to remember is that our bodies must sweat to cool themselves. With all of the humidity in the air that task is not always as efficient as it needs to be and we can become overheated sooner than we might think. When looking for a campsite not only find one that has shade, but look for a place that has an adequate breeze as well. The air movement will dry your skin quicker and allow your body to sweat and cool itself off.
If you cannot find a suitable site that has shade and a breeze, take the location that has the breeze and make your own shade. Use a tarp and some poles to erect a temporary awning that will keep your campsite under cover for most of the day. The air will still be able to move and keep you cooler while the sun’s hot rays are kept from baking you to death. I know a lot of people like to find the quiet secluded campsite that is surrounded by woods, but if there is little or no air movement it could be a miserable experience in this type of weather.
Another important thing to remember is to take two coolers. One is for drinks and one is for your food. The perishables will last much longer this way. We go into the cooler for drinks much more often than we dive in for hot dogs and chips. The fewer times the lid is opened means the ice will last longer and keep dinner fresher.
Another huge problem with hot and humid weather is the tendency for bugs because they love the stuff. There are few things more irritating than trying to fight biting flies and gnats as we sweat and feel miserable. Once again, having a campsite that is exposed to a good breeze will help keep the pests away. Also be sure to have plenty of bug spray or some citronella candles scattered about. I prefer the latter since I hate wearing bug spray. Another good way to combat the bugs is to have some sort of screening around your picnic table. Also be sure to wear light colored fabrics. Not only does this help to keep bugs away but it reflects the heat as well.
Keeping yourself hydrated is critical. Drink lots of water; not pop and alcohol. These latter products actually dehydrate you faster and need to be consumed in moderation in the heat. Drink small amounts often and throughout the day. Making sure that you are hydrated is fairly easy. Whenever you make a trip to the privy, make sure the effort from your trip is light yellow or clear in color and not dark. If it is dark, then you need to drink more fluids.
The last tip may sound a little crazy, but make sure that you have a sleeping bag that is rated for summer use. Imagine how miserable it would be to camp in July with a sleeping bag that is best used in January. Sleeping in a tent can still get hot and muggy though, and removing the rain fly can be a great option for air movement if the rain stays away.
As always, be sure to know the signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion or stroke. The hot weather can be dangerous, but if you approach your camping trip with the right equipment and mentality, you can still have an enjoyable time. And as the summer progresses our bodies will become more acclimated to the heat. Oh, and one last tip. Try not to pitch your tent by the big RV running their air conditioner all night. Have a great trip.
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