Your Local Campground Is Calling
Spring is the perfect time to dust off your tent, shake out that sleeping bag, and get outdoors. The age-old pastime of camping persists for good reason: there’s nothing quite as liberating and refreshing as a night spent in nature. Even if you’re a bit rusty, there’s really not much to pitching a tent and making a campfire. Follow these handy tips from L.L. Bean’s Lindsey Johnson for an approachable—and memorable—al fresco experience.
By Amy McCullough with Lindsey Johnson
1. You needn’t go far.
“One of my earliest outdoor memories is setting up our tent in the backyard and learning the ropes from my dad,” says Johnson, who recommends going somewhere you’re comfortable with to start. Locate your closest state park with a campground or explore local camping blogs for recommendations. Johnson says her go-to resource for campsites on public land nationwide is Recreation.gov.
2. Comfy times are good times.
A sleeping pad goes a long way in ensuring a good night’s sleep. If you’re car camping, a foam pad might do the trick and be cost-effective. And it doesn’t take any time or energy to blow up. As another option, blow-up sleeping pads pack much smaller and can offer more insulation and comfort. For the best of both worlds, Johnson suggests stacking one of each. And don’t forget a lawn or camping chair too.
3. Get creative.
Lots of home items can be repurposed in your camping kit. An old toolbox might become a first aid kit or a caddy for cooking utensils. A doormat you’re about to retire can do wonders at keeping dirt outside your tent—and is a good reminder to leave your boots outside. Johnson likes to bring shower caps for packing shoes in at the end of a trip, especially if it’s muddy where you’re headed.
4. Be bathroom ready.
If you’re easing into things at a campground with more facilities, such as showers, come equipped with a hangable toiletry organizer. For sites with pit toilets, always bring extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
5. Hone your fire game.
Johnson is a fan of teepee-shaped fire construction and advises starting with smaller pieces of wood to keep air flowing through. Looking for easy-to-prep -and-pack kindling? Empty your dryer lint and bring it along. “It catches really fast and is super easy to pack,” says Johnson. Another great DIY fire-starter is wine corks soaked in rubbing alcohol. Of course, always ensure there isn’t a burn ban in your area, and use local firewood to reduce the spread of invasive insects.”
6. Chilly low temps? No worries.
Johnson’s favorite cold weather hack is using her bottle as a foot warmer: “I’ll heat up some water on the campfire while I’m getting ready to turn in,” she says. She then fills her bottle with the warm water, sticks it in her sleeping bag, and lets it radiate through the night. “It’ll warm your toes right up,” she attests. Slip a sock or neck gaiter around the bottle to ensure you won’t get burned if it’s too hot at the start.
7. Employ color and light for safety.
“Pool noodles are a great way to eliminate the tripping hazard of your tent lines,” says Johnson. Just slice one open along the long side and slide it over your tent lines. The brighter the color, the better. Another visibility hack is to hang glow sticks from your tent zippers. “When you get up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom, you won’t have to fumble around for your zippers in the dark.”
8. Duct tape is a camper’s best friend.
Johnson’s in the habit of wrapping multiple layers of duct tape around her water bottle, where it naturally ends up on adventures when you might need it. “Use it for a quick tent tear or pole repair, hang a strip at your site as a fly trap, even use it as a last resort for a pesky splinter when you forgot your tweezers.”
9. Break out your journal.
“I really like nature journaling,” says Johnson, “and all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil or pen.” Journaling can take many forms: doodles, free association wordplay, poetry, song lyrics, or a realistic record of your experience. “You can do whatever you want as long as you’re taking the time to observe and reflect on the natural world
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Sticks and Stones
Encourage children to explore the ground around them—carefully, of course, with an eye out for bugs or other critters that might bite or sting. Assemble leaves or pebbles by categories such as color and size, make a lattice from similarly sized sticks, or try balancing stones into cairns. Artistic crafts, such as making pictures from natural materials, are another way to play.
