We love to go camping wherever and whenever we can. Nothing beats seeing the stars at night in all their glory under a dark sky, far from city lights, or watching a beautiful morning sunrise while sipping a fresh cup of campfire-brewed coffee. What’s not so great is finding out after we’ve arrived at our campsite, (usually far down some four-wheel-drive trail), that we’ve left behind some critical item – hopefully not the coffee.
Before our first camping trip of the year we often do a practice or dry run, where we “pretend to go camping” at home. Doing so helps us know what gear we might need, what items we’re most likely to forget, and even what we should probably leave behind. A practice camping “trial run” also helps us become more familiar with setting up our tent and other gear, instead of becoming some other camper’s entertainment as we fumble around our campsite, trying to figure out how to assemble something that we haven’t used in a while.
How to Do a Practice Camping Trip or Dry Run
Above: This “mock camping trip” was all too real, as we had to use our gear after briefly losing our utilities during a winter storm.
Step 1. Checking Our Gear
Before the camping season begins, the first thing we normally do in the spring is to take out all the gear we normally go camping with and place it in a central spot, like the middle of the garage. We then open each of the waterproof Rubbermaid tubs, checking to see that critical parts like tent stakes or poles are inside, as well as checking the level of Coleman propane cylinders, flashlight batteries, first aid kit contents, and other consumables. Next, we clean out and refill each of our five gallon potable water containers so they’re ready to go.
Tent Setup Dry-Run – If we’re planning to tent camp on our next trip, we’ll take out the tent and practice setting it up in the backyard, complete with ground tarp underneath, air mattress and lighting inside. If our sleeping bags are dirty from the last trip, or musty from being stored, we’ll wash these items, along with our camping pillows.
Food Planning For Camping Trips – Having good food to eat is a must for creating a memorable experience, so we always check our food storage boxes and re-stock any items, such as spices or cooking oil, which might have gone bad. As creatures of habit, we often eat the same foods when camping, so by making a check mark beside each item on our checklist we can know what what we need to prepare and serve each meal.
Step 2. Choosing An Imaginary Camping Spot
To get a good idea of what kind of sleeping gear and clothing we might need to bring on a first real camping trip, we’ll normally pick some imaginary campsite at or near our future destination. In this case we chose Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado, since that’s actually where we’re headed.
We plan to “arrive” at our imaginary campsite on Friday afternoon, so we can set up camp before dark. From the three day weather forecast we know that it’s not going to be that warm, yet we can still make it work by bringing the right gear and clothes. In this case we’ll make sure to bring warm wool socks, caps, thermal underwear, along with our cold-weather sleeping bags. Also, since it looks like rain is moving in later on Sunday, we should probably plan on breaking camp early that morning, just after breakfast.
Below: Our actual trip to Eleven Mile State Park did include an early morning rain-shower, but we were treated to this nice rainbow as compensation.
Step 3. Preparing For Camping Meals
After we’ve gotten all our gear cleaned and re-packed, we sometimes prepare a mock camping meal at home, using the same ingredients that we plan to take on our trip. We might grill some hot dogs on our hibachi in the backyard and use our metal camping plates, cups and utensils just as if we were at our campsite. Afterwards, we restock our food storage box with non-perishable items, clean dishes and utensils.
Although our mock camping trip’s food never tastes quite as good as it would have been if cooked in the great outdoors, cooking a meal at home using our gear is a good way to see if we have everything we need ready for a real trip.
Pro Tip – When planning meals, it’s always best to start off with simple, easy-to-prepare foods that require minimal ingredients and the fewest pots and pans. You might consider bringing sandwiches, breakfast bars and other prepared foods if you don’t want the hassle of cooking on your camping trip.
Other Necessary Camping Items
Despite having gone camping together many times over the past couple decades, we still occasionally forget some things. Besides a food checklist, having a gear checklist to use and then checking off each item is always a good idea. Be sure to include personal hygiene items, (toilet paper), medications, clothing for all kinds of weather, pet food – if bringing your pooch – along with flashlights, batteries, cell phone chargers, camping chairs, along with recreational items like fishing poles. Our printable list of Fifty Camping Items That Are Commonly Forgotten might be useful when packing for your actual trip.
Camping Safely and Responsibly
When you go on an actual camping trip, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules of the park or recreational area your visiting, such as campfire rules, quiet hours, bear-safe food storage recommendations and check-out time. Camping can be one of the safest recreational activities when a few simple precautions are followed, and when you arrive prepared.
A mock camping trip is a great way to prepare for your next outdoor adventure, as well as a good way to teach family members how to properly use camping gear at a leisurely pace. Have fun camping in the great outdoors – or indoors – whichever you choose!
