Let's go Camping

By Patty Cartwright

Hey ladies, Are you ready to join us for a fun campout?

If you have been camping before you know that preparing to camp and cleaning up after the campout can require a little bit of work. However, the rewards are worth the effort. When you camp you take the time to relax and to get away from the every day grind. You can forget about that never ending “to do” list, and just do what you want to do at any given time. Some campers will be very active and others may enjoy visiting, napping, reading, watching wildlife, or just soaking it all in.

Camping can do so much for us. It can be relaxation time, creative time, time for a physical challenge, time to learn new skills, time for reflection and self discovery, and for many it can be an empowering experience.

We encourage women to try camping even if you have never camped before. There are different types of camping outings on the calendar so check it out to see what trips might suit your needs.

Although each trip is just a bit different here are the basic types of camping we might offer:

-       Car / tent camping

-       Walk in camping

-       Shelter camping

-       Backpacking

Car camping is camping where you can drive right up to your campsite. When you’re car camping you can really bring anything you like that will fit in your car. Some people will opt to bring larger heavier and more comfortable items for this type of camping. If you are camping within a group campsite you should be considerate of other campers and bring a small tent.

Walk in camping means you may have to walk in a bit to your campsite. You can still bring most things. You can usually make several trips to your car to collect gear. Read the park website and map so you are aware of the distance. You may pair down a bit once you know how far you will be walking.

Shelter camping is camping in a site that has a one room screened in shelter. Some people will pitch a tent outside their shelter, and others will set up camp inside the shelter. Your gear choices should be based on where you will be sleeping. Some shelter sites do not have suitable places for tents.

Backpacking is when you will be hiking in to the campsite. You will need a comfortable backpack and only the gear that you can carry in your backpack for the designated distance. Most people will try to get by with the least amount of gear possible. Most gear should also be lightweight. Remember there are usually no facilities when backpacking. You must carry in EVERYTHING you will need and all trash must be carried out.

If you are a new camper we do highly suggest arriving at your campsite well before dark. If you don’t know how to do something it’s much easier to figure it out or ask for help during daylight hours. For all types of camping it’s important to learn what facilities are available at the camping location and also understand the park rules. This information can usually be found on the park website.

See our calendar for more information about our currently scheduled events, including our Camping 101 and Backpacking 101 discussion meetups.