Get ready for spring!

Posted by: Allen Canfield on Sun, 16 March 2003 02:35:27 (901 Reads)

Another camping season is almost upon us, with most state parks opening their camp sites in April. Some places like Canaan Valley and Pipestem Resort never closed their campsites, although personally, it was too cold for me to be out there! With 700+ campsites in our state parks are you ready for the season?

You do not have to be a Boy Scout to be ready to camp. All you need is a little pre-camp preparation. First, check your most valuable asset... Your tent! Either pick a decent day (60 degrees or higher) or set your tent up inside your house. Check your poles for bends, breaks and sharp surfaces that can tear your tent. Make sure you have the correct number of tent stakes and tie down ropes. Once set up, check the tent for and tears, moth holes or any other damage. Small holes and tears can be fixed with inexpensive patch kits available at most outdoor stores (if you have problems finding a kit contact REI www.rei.com). Next clean your tent. Even if you did it before you put the tent in storage last year, you will most likely find dead bugs and dirt that you missed or was still alive and hiding when you put the tent up. If you have your tent set up outside you can clean the outside with a garden hose and a very mild detergent. Before using the soap, have another family member hose the outside of the tent gently while you are inside so you can check for leaks. If you find a leak, go ahead and clean the tent inside and out with the hose and soap. Make sure you get all the soap out and let the tent dry completely. Make a trip to your local camping supply store and purchase a can or two of Camp-Dry and a tube of Seam-Seal. Follow the directions for each and be sure to apply them either outside or in a well ventilated area.
Now that your tent is taken care of, the worst part is over! Nothing ruins a trip like a wet leaky tent!

We can now move to your cooking supplies. Take out your stove and check it for rust, dings or any other damage. Also check any gaskets for damage (most manufacturers have rebuild kits available with all the parts you need to service your stove - Check your manual or call the manufacturer). You may want to consider cleaning it if you did not before you put it away last year. Follow the directions for disassembly/cleaning provided with your stove. In a safe place outside, setup your stove and light it, make sure everything functions and the flame is fully adjustable with the control knob. You may want to replace old Coleman fuel with new or if it is a propane stove, keep a few extra cylinders in your gear just in case. Same goes for your lanterns, make sure you have extra mantles.
Next, get out your pots, pans, dishes and utensils and wash ALL of them. Yes you probably washed them before you put the up, but you'd be amazed at how much dust can get onto stored equipment.
Air out your sleeping bags, wash them if needed. Always follow the cleaning instructions printed on the tags!
Replace the batteries in your flashlights and keep an extra bulb or two in you camping gear.
Lay out your first aid kit and make sure it has everything that originally came in the kit, plus poison-ivy wash, bug bite treatment, bee sting treatment and a good pair of tweezers.

I'll leave the food selection and activities planning to you. But making these first few step will guarantee you a more enjoyable trip to the woods this spring. Just do not forget the sunscreen.... or the toilet paper!