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One of the most popular family events for summer outings is camping, and to have a safe and fun vacation or holiday it is important to have the right camping gear. Since there are so many different types of camping gear on the market today, for those just getting starting it can be a bit overwhelming.

While there are lots of add-ons and specialty items, there are a few basics in camping gear that are a must and they simply can’t be skipped or missed, or you won’t have the trip that you are looking forward to. The basic camping essentials include:

Tent – probably the most essential item in camping gear, tents now come in a variety of styles, fabrics, frames and even colors. The most basic tent is a “pup tent” or traditional inverted V-shaped tent that is usually a two-person tent. There are larger versions of the pup tent that have the peaked roof but are much taller to allow adults and children to walk around inside with relative comfort. Hexagonal tents also offer more overall room, an important consideration if you are camping with children or large groups of people. When buying a tent consider the number of people you will be housing and the amount of under-cover storage space you may require. Also consider the weight of the tent if you have to pack it into your camping spot, as well as how easy or difficult it is to put up and take down.
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For Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating or cycling in all kinds of weather

Communication in the wilderness is a matter of survival, as well as convenience. Before even leaving home, communications must begin. In fact, our first two communications tips do not even require equipment or gadgets.

“Make sure that somebody knows when you leave, when you expect to return (or get to your destination),” advises Chad Brown, owner of Farm & Field fishing and hunting equipment auctions, a website geared to hunting, fishing and farming. “Provide as much information about your route as possible.

Things can happen. Rocks can fall on your head while hiking. Boats can tip over while fishing. Firearms can malfunction while hunting. Somebody needs to know that you are late in arriving…and where to send search parties to go hunting for you. In fact, this is the same advice I used to give drivers in winter weather when I was spokesperson for CAA Ontario.

The second tip is to never head into the wilderness alone. Just as one should never go swimming without a swimming buddy, nor should one go long-distance cycling or hiking, nor hunting, camping or fishing in a remote area without a buddy.

My wife’s uncle took the business end of large falling branch on his skull while out in the forest, knocking him unconscious and cracking his skull down the middle. Eventually his skull will heal, but only because he had companions to get him into town. Otherwise, he might still not be found.

Here is another report, this one from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation about a fall from a tree stand: “The subject had no communications equipment with him. No phone or radio. If the subject had left word of where he would be and approximate hour of return, a response may have been quicker. Cause of Death: The subject suffered a broken shoulder, multiple broken ribs on one side, a punctured lung, and a punctured spleen.”
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