People everywhere look forward to summer camping. For many families, this season presents the perfect time to go camping and partake in all of its benefits.
There are numerous benefits to camping, and nothing beats getting outside and having some old fashioned summer fun. However, without the luxuries of home sometimes the heat of summer can be a bit overwhelming.
If the heat of the summer is getting to be too much, look no further than this handy guide. We’ve compiled some great tips and tricks to beat the heat even during your next trip into the great outdoors for summer camping.
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Pack Appropriately For Summer Camping
Packing is key for any successful camping trip, especially in the summer. It’s alway important to pack appropriately for the weather, even if it’s warm out.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is clothes. If you know it is going to be hot be sure to bring along some durable yet breathable clothes.
You should also bring a hygiene kit to keep yourself fresh, including soap and deodorant.
Hats and sunscreen are essential to keep the sun off of you if you plan on being out in the open during your summer camping trip.
In addition, be sure to see how cold the nights will be so you don’t freeze. Temperatures can often drop significantly when the sun goes down, so be sure to take that into consideration.
If the nights are warm, however, make sure to bring some comfortable sleeping clothes as well.
Pick A Cooler Campsite
When looking for a campsite, try to find somewhere with plenty of natural shade if possible.
A good shady spot can feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in direct sunlight. Trees and other natural structures can provide cover and keep the sun away.
This will seriously help keep the site cooler and will provide lots of shade during the day on a summer camping trip. Plus you can use trees to hang equipment from, such as coolers and camping showers.
Consider Ditching The Sleeping Bag When Summer Camping
During hot summer nights, sleeping bags can leave you tossing and turning in the heat.
Not all sleeping bags are created equal. Some are designed for the extreme cold while others are designed for warmer nights.
Check the rating of your sleeping bag. If it’s rated for sub-zero temperatures, it might not be a good choice for summer camping.
Investing in a lighter weight, summer sleeping bag might be a good option.
Or you can always opt for just a light blanket or a sheet if temperatures are really up there at night.
Pack & Drink Plenty Of Water
Staying hydrated is essential to your well being all the time, not just while camping.
Make sure that you pack plenty of drinking water for your trip since being in the heat all day can dehydrate a person very quickly.
Don’t want to buy bottled water? Try filling a collapsible water jug with tap water from your home.
Some families opt for juices, sodas, and sports drinks, but that can be bad for you in the heat of summer camping.
Water is what you should be primarily drinking. Electrolyte heavy drinks can be helpful as well, but not in place of water.
Cater Your Menu To The Heat
When you are out camping in the summer, it might be easy to skip out on meals. Cooking can be tiresome and hot, and when you are out in the heat you may lose your appetite.
This is why it’s a good idea to always cater your menu to the heat.
Plan on low effort meals and snacks to get you through your days. Meals can be simple, such as cold cut sandwiches, salads, and anything else that does not require heat to make.
Furthermore, you should bring along snacks such as granola and fruit to keep everyone energized. Going for too long without eating can be detrimental while out on a summer camping trip, and can even lead to illness.
It is important to plan ahead and find meals that your family will enjoy that are easy to make and eat, even in the heat.
Plan For Lots Of Rest
It is incredibly easy to become fatigued while camping in the summertime, so don’t overwork yourself!
Plan for periods of rest and downtime and you won’t have to worry about not doing everything you wanted to do.
It is important to allow for lots of rest time, and during these breaks make sure that your family is hydrated and that they have eaten that day. You can come up with fun, low energy camping games to play during these breaks as well, such as card games and campfire games.
Pack A Fan For Summer Camping
Nowadays, there are all sorts of simple, portable camping fans that are available on the market. These fans can be placed in tents to circulate airflow while you sleeping in a tent.
They can seriously help keep the air in your tent cool, and help you to sleep at night. They are especially useful if you plan on sharing a tent with others, as the extra body heat can quickly add-up.
There are also plenty of small portable handheld fans that can help during the day time and are easy to keep on your person at all times.
You can also invest in a hands-free, portable neck fan that can really do the trick if you’re getting overheated.
These fans are great during breaks or when the sun is really beating down.
Invest In A Camping Shower
One of the main complaints people make while camping is getting all sweaty and staying that way during the trip. Thankfully, there are all sorts of portable camping showers that do not require power of any kind.
These showers merely need to be filled with water and hung up high, where they can warm up during the day. Then at night you can rinse yourself off or clean yourself with soap to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for bed.
Portable showers are also great to get your morning started or rejuvenate yourself throughout the day. Plus they keep morale up and let everyone stay happy and healthy during the trip.
As families everywhere get ready for summer camping fun, it can be important to keep in mind just how much heat plays into the camping experience. Heat can negatively impact even the best of camping trips, but it doesn’t have to.
There are numerous tips to help you on those hotter trips, and without breaking the bank to boot!
With the tips on this list, it is easy to beat the heat and have fun with family. By packing smart and taking care of yourself, you can spend less time worrying about weather and more time having a blast with loved ones.
Summer Camping: 8 Tips For Camping In The Heat