Tips to organize your camping

Like any good trip, camping requires a minimum of organization, planning, and preparation. Here are some useful tips and tricks to make you the perfect camper!

Before leaving, Identify your way of camping

Before any research, take stock. What kind of camping do you want? What is your degree of hardiness? Rather wild camping, under the stars, in a specially arranged establishment, in a yurt, Huttopia tent in the parks of Sépaq, in a lean-to (shelters consisting of a floor, three walls and a roof), in caravan? It is up to you to make your choice!

Choose your campsite

Quebec has approximately 872 campgrounds. How to choose? A good indication is to take into account the star system, based on the same principle as for hotels. Official manager of the classification program, the Quebec Camping Development Council notes campsites, the nature, and quality of infrastructure and the service offer, from zero to five stars. Zero for a "partially satisfying camping classification criteria", five for "excellent quality camping offering a wide range of services and activities". When you search, target the campsites that meet your requirements and needs. Also, check the Internet for the opinions and comments of campers-users who have already planted their tents in the campsites that interest you.

Reserve your location

An imperative for those who want to be sure to install their tent in the most beautiful places, because you are alone in the world! Statistics Canada estimated in 2008 that Quebecers had made 1.4 million camping trips in the province. And the practice of camping is still increasing: according to Tourisme Québec, the summer season 2016 saw an increase in the number of camping sites (+ 2.3%) and goodwill (+ 2.9%) compared to 2015.

Equip yourself well

The key to successful camping is especially good equipment. So, what to bring? The essentials: a tent, a sleeping bag, a floor mat, a tarpaulin, a torch or headlamp, a knife, a first aid kit. You can also think of other useful accessories, but it will depend on your mode of camping, from ultralight to ultra-equipped. Remember that everything you take will need to be carried, transported and reported. This is particularly true for kitchen accessories, which can be cumbersome (gas stoves, pans, pans, coolers, dishes, etc.), but essential for cooking. Sleeping in tents means making compromises: eating cold or hot, favoring one accessory at the expense of another. To equip yourself, it is not necessary to buy everything: go around the family and your friends to borrow some items sometimes expensive. You can also buy used, but make sure everything is working properly.

Test your material

If you have already camped before, there is no guarantee that your equipment is still operational. To avoid disappointment at the time of fixing the tent without stakes, inflating your mattress or trying to turn on an empty stove, it is essential to check the condition of its equipment before leaving.

Watch the weather forecast

In general, a reflex that any good vacationer before going on a trip. But even more important when it comes to bivouac in nature. Thus, you will be able to prepare your travel bags according to the weather conditions during your stay. It would be a shame to have to buy a raincoat or a jacket in a disaster. Take a look at Environment Canada, Weather Media or Weather Channel for accurate information: radar and satellite, lightning detection, specialized weather (aviation, marine).

Charge your backpack

If you try the camping experience in backpack mode, you will have to make choices because you will not be able to take everything away. The rucksack rule: the weight after loading should never exceed one-quarter of your own weight. Once you have made your selection, fill your bag so that the weight is evenly distributed to prevent it from pulling you back. So, first place the lightest items, like the sleeping bag at the bottom of your bag. Then put the heaviest things (water, food, etc.) in the middle, in the back area. This will help stabilize you while maintaining your balance and freedom of movement. Finally, on the top and front of the bag, insert medium or bulky items.

Plan your meals

Camping is not (always) synonymous with tasteless food and dehydrated dishes. It just needs to be better organized than usual. Before leaving, it is possible to prepare many meals (including sauces for pasta, chili, etc.), which will be reheated once there. However, it is not necessary to take hot meals all the time. In addition to being able to prepare them in advance, no-cooking meals can save fuel without restricting your camper and eater's pleasure. If you run out of recipe ideas, take a look at the websites (such as recipes.zeste.tv) or in your cookbooks to awaken your creativity!

Set your registration

Introduce yourself at the campsite reception to know the number of your campsite, even if you have reserved your camping area in advance. If you are in a park, you will be given your camping permit, which you must place on your vehicle and on the post of your camping area. Take the opportunity to know the rules operating in the campsite, the list of possible activities, or any other question related to your stay.

Where to install his tent?

Once on your campsite, choose a flat place, without roots and pebbles to avoid back pain and tearing of your equipment, tent, and mattress. High ground and well drained to avoid the accumulation of water if it rains. Similarly, settling near a watercourse can be dangerous in case of flash floods. When installing your tent, stretch the strings of the anchor points of the tent sufficiently. Badly done, the roof would come into contact with the tent and could soak the shelter in case of bad weather. Finally, spreading a tarpaulin under the tent is a good way to keep it drier. But be careful that this tarp does not exceed the base of the tent to prevent water from accumulating! Opt for a shady place, so that the hot afternoon sun makes your tent a real sauna. However, avoid installing directly under a tree, which can be a risk in case of storms, lightning or strong winds.
Note: More informations for tents.

Keep your tent clean and comfortable

Your stay will be even more enjoyable if your tent remains a pleasant place to live, comfortable to sleep and rest: leave your shoes outside, but protect them from the rain under the double roof; keep the "door" closed as much as possible to prevent insects or animals from entering your tent; store your personal belongings in the middle of the tent, not on the sides, so that they are not dampened by rain or morning dew; clean your tent floor from time to time to remove accumulated dirt.

How to light a campfire?

First and foremost, make sure you are allowed to do so or even collect wood in the vicinity. The first step, clean the area by removing combustible materials within a meter radius of the fire. Mark the fire pit area with stones, then place a flammable material: twigs, newspaper or dry plant material (no, gasoline is not recommended!). Add around and over firewood, usually small pieces of very dry wood, to start the fire. Finally, as the fire grows, gradually add bigger logs. The fire needs oxygen, make sure the air circulates well between the logs. Do not leave your camp without turning off the fire properly. Water it to make sure.

How to avoid bad encounters?

Animals have a general sense of developed sense of smell. We must, therefore, take some precautions to avoid finding ourselves face to face with a greedy animal. Make sure you eliminate food odors by cleaning your kitchenware away from the campsite; pack your garbage and place it in the appropriate containers; store your food in such a way that the animals can not reach it (suspended in height, in the metal boxes if you are in a park, or otherwise in your car); do not cook or eat in your tent; avoid sleeping with the clothes that you wear when preparing the meal.