Sleeping bag provides warmth and comfort for a good rest at night.

The warmth of the

sleeping bag is determined by:
a. Kind of insulating material
 Down (soft feather from goose or duck) is warmer but is not waterproof.
 Polyester/synthetic is virtually waterproof but not so warm. It is heavier and
bulkier.
b. Loft (refers to thickness of bag)
 Thicker loft will provide more warmth.
c. The shape of the bag
 Mummy-shaped bags are better when trekking because they are lighter
and warmer.
 Barrel-shaped bags are roomier at the midsection providing more comfort but
they are heavier.
 Rectangular-shaped bags are the roomiest, thus great for warmer weather,
however, they can be bulkier and heavier.

Aside from the sleeping bag, the camping pad is also essential as it serves as a
cushion from the ground and most importantly, as an insulator against the coldness
of the ground.

Tents
The tent gives protection from the rain, wind, and bugs. It also adds warmth, comfort,
and a sense of security.
Tents come in many shapes, styles, and sizes. Tents should be light and compact so it
will be easier to carry.
It is a must for a tent to have a waterproof floor, must protect you from mosquito, and
must be made from breathable material such as rip stop nylon or nylon taffeta.
Tarps are also used as shelters in place of the tent.
They are lighter because no poles are carried.
It can be set up in a variety of ways.
However, using appropriate knots is important in setting up tarp shelters.
Cooking and Eating Utensils
A small lightweight backpack stove is more efficient than open fire because temperature
can be controlled.
It also lessens the threat of starting fires and most importantly it has less impact on the
environment as it will not leave fire residue.
Today, more and more designs are available in the market to choose from. The most
important preparation to do is try it out first at home to know whether it works or how it
works.
Cooking pot can double as an eating utensil, if one wants to conserve on space. Bring
spoon, fork, and knife although these can also be combined in a camping Swiss knife.
Where do we get our water?
Water is a day-to-day need. People use it for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
In the front country camping, water is usually either brought by the camper or may be
provided through plumbing or pump.
However, in the backcountry camping, it is important that the campsite has a nearby
water source from rivers, streams, lakes or springs, otherwise you will need to bring
your water.
However, it is advised that water from these sources should be purified first as a
precautionary measure.
There are varied ways of purifying water and it all depends on the preferences of the
camper.
Each method of water purification has its pros and cons as shown in Table 9.3. It is
one's option to choose which purification method would suit him/her the best.
Method/ Advantages Disadvantages
Treatment

Filtering Good job in filtering • Longer time

• Filters are used up quickly

Iodine Tablets Easy to carry • Discolor containers

• Treatment takes only 30 min. • Taste unpleasant to some
Do not kill giardia lamblia
(internal parasite)
Bleach Solution , • May taste unpleasant to some
• Treatment takes only 30 min.

Aqua Mira • Easy to carry • Has to mix two solutions

• Treatment takes only 35 min. together and waits for 5 mins.
• Slightly changes taste before treating water

Boiling Kills all harmful organisms • Takes time from boiling to cooling down

• Depending on altitude, must boil for 5-15 min.

Source: Interdisciplinary Teaching Through Outdoor Education, p. 73, by C. J. Bunting, 2006, United States:
Human Kinetics.

What kind of food should we bring?

In front country camping, almost any food may be brought because one can always
bring a chiller or an ice chest to keep from spoiling.
Cooking is typically done with a portable stove or with the use of charcoal or wood if a
fire ring is present.
Food should be those that will not spoil and with consideration on the calorie content,
food preparation, and weight of the food item.
Cooked food that can last for days without refrigeration is another option such as adobo.
Canned goods can also be brought but it needs to be repacked as tin cans can weigh
more.
Ziploc bags are the best way to repack and pack food. The bags allow food to be
divided into portions and sealed.
You can label the pack for the different meals, so it will be easy to bring out what is just
needed. Bring oil and condiments as well in small packed amounts so food will still taste
heavenly in camps.
Cooking is done on a one-burner stove and only a single pot should be brought, along
with basic utensils. As firewood leaves lasting impact on the environment, it has to be
avoided if possible.
The stove comes in different sizes and fuel requirements. Some stoves use white gas,
while others use the butane canister.
It is advisable to try them first at home and follow instruction before using them in a
camp.
Conserving fuel is also essential to minimize the weight of the backpack. Covering the
pot with a lid and lighting the stove only when you are ready to put the pot are two ways
of conserving fuel.
Food should be stored well. The smell of food will attract animals.
This is giving an opportunity for them to get your food and make yourself and others
vulnerable to animal attack.
Never feed the wild animals as this will be unhealthy for them and may even cause
them to get sick.
Never leave food in the tent and in the pack.
One method of keeping food safe from animals looking for meal is by putting food
sealed in a bag and hang it on a branch of a tree (Bunting, 2006).

What other essential items should be brought to camping?

There are other general equipment, safety equipment, and first aid kit that need
to be brought along in camping.
General Equipment
 Lantern
 Toilet paper
 Biodegradable soap
 Insect repellant
 Small thermos bottle
 Duct tape
 Safety pins
 Shovel (if backcountry camping)
Safety Equipment
 Flashlight with extra batteries
 Waterproof matches
 Pocket knife
 Topographic maps
 Compass
 Sun protection
 Rope
 Water treatment
First Aid Kit Contents
 Adhesive bandages
 Gauze pads
 Adhesive tapes
 Tweezers to remove splinters
 Salt tablets Paracetamol/aspirin Antihistamine
 Medicine for diarrhea Razor blade
 Moleskin
 Tube of antibiotic ointment
 Anti-sting relief ointment/ cream

What camping skills does one need to have?

Washing Dishes
Use soaps that will not harm the environment. All scrap food must be placed in animal
proof trashcans, mostly provided in front country camping; otherwise, keep scrap food
and leftovers in a container and put it inside your car.
To clean dishes in the backcountry:
1.All food on plate must be eaten. Scrape the remaining food in a plastic bag and
carry it back.
2.Move 200 feet away from cook site, campsite, and water source. Dig a hole of
about 8 inches deep as a wash site.
3.Use biodegradable soap for greasy plates only and when rinsing. Strain
washcloth to make sure no food particle drops to the soil.
4.Air dry dishes.
Campfires
Campfires should be built only in fire rings. Established camping grounds usually have
one. However, check if building fires are allowed; some site do not allow it.
Always evaluate the site before starting a fire. If the site is bushy or has low-hanging
branches, keep fire small or skip it altogether. In dry conditions, even embers flown by
the wind can ignite a forest or wildfire.
In building campfires, three elements must be present: fuel, wood, heat source
(matches or lighter), and air (Bunting, 2006).
Tinder is the fire starter. This includes small twigs, dry leaves, or forest duff.
Kindling uses small sticks that are easy easier to burn than the wood. In starting the
campfire, arrange the small sticks in various ways --- the tepee, lean-to, cross-ditch, or
pyramid.