w5-6

• Camping - An outdoor recreational activity where campers leave the urban areas and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors.
• Essentials in Camping

  1. Clothes
  2. Tent
  3. Sleeping Pad
  4. Sleeping Bag
  5. Backpack
  6. Flashlight
  7. Compass
• Clothes - The first line of defense so that the body can maintain an appropriate core temperature.
• Tent

  • A portable shelter, made from waterproof materials, provides protection from elements, warmth, comfort, and security, offering a versatile outdoor experience in various shapes, sizes, and styles.

  Note: When it is hot, the body must be able to rid itself of excess heat; otherwise, the core temperature will start to rise, and heat exhaustion or a heat stroke may happen.
• Sleeping Pad

  • An essential for a comfortable night outdoors that offers protection from the hard ground.
• Sleeping Bag

  • A large, well-padded that is specially designed for outdoor use, ensures warmth during the night.
• Backpack

  • A type of sack designed for carrying supplies, making it convenient to transport food, gear, and essentials while camping.
• Flashlight

  • A small portable electric lamp and it is very useful to illuminate your path in the dark.
• Compass

  • An instrument for finding direction, it uses a magnetized needle to point to the north to know where you are going.
• Hypothermia - The body temperature is below 35 °C.
• Hyperthermia - The body temperature is above 37.5 °C.
• Health Benefits of Camping:

  1. Fresh Air
  2. Socialization
  3. Improved Moods
  4. Less stress
  5. Exercise
  6. New challenges
• Fresh Air

  • Spending time near a lot of trees increases oxygen intake.
  • Extra oxygen releases serotonin in the brain, leading to happiness.
  • The body functions with less strain when there is plenty of oxygen.
  • Fresh air can improve blood pressure, digestion, and boost the immune system.
• Socialization

  • Camping with friends or family members can help maintain healthy, happy relationships.
  • Socializing can extend your lifespan and delay memory problems.
  • Inviting friends on camping trips can make life more fun.
• Improved Moods

  • Regular campers often report feeling happier after a trip.
  • Spending time outside in the sunlight can even out the levels of melatonin in the brain.
  • Lower levels of melatonin can reduce feelings of tiredness and depression.
• Less Stress

  • Camping allows for stress-free time at the campsite.
  • The lack of stress is related to the rise in oxygen levels, higher levels of serotonin, and managed levels of melatonin.
  • It is harder to be annoyed or angry when doing something enjoyable.
• Exercise

  • Camping involves a lot of physical activities.
  • Activities like hiking, biking, and fishing burn calories and provide cardiovascular exercise.
  • Hikers burn anywhere from 120-300 calories per hour, bikers burn 300-500 calories per hour, and fly fishing can burn up to two hundred calories per hour.
• New Challenges

  • No two camping trips are the same, providing new experiences.
  • New activities that are both physically and intellectually stimulating have the greatest effect on brain health.
  • Camping fits both criteria, helping to keep brains healthy.
• Types of Tents:

  • A-Frame / Ridge Tent
  • Dome Tent
  • Pop-Up Tent
  • Tunnel Tent
  • Cabin Tent
• A-Frame/Ridge Tent

  • This tent, when pitched, looks like the letter A.
  • It is popular due to its simple design.
  • Modern options are lighter than the earlier versions which were made of canvas and came with wooden or metal poles.
  • Easy to set up but lacks space and becomes heavy when packed.
  • Ideal for fixed camping.
• Dome Tent

  • The most common type of tent.
  • Comes with two poles, crisscrossed at a point forming two semi-circles running across the tent body, giving it a dome shape.
  • Comes in different sizes that can accommodate two to eight people.
  • Lighter, has a decent amount of space, is more breathable, and easy to pitch.
• Pop-Up Tent

  • These tents can be set up instantly.
  • They are spring-loaded and pop into shape as soon as they get released from their bag.
  • Simple, inexpensive, and lightweight making them ideal for summer camping.
  • Not suitable for extreme temperatures and geographies.
  • Can accommodate anywhere between 1-6 people and is ideal for large groups.
• Tunnel Tent

  • Like a dome tent but longer and cylindrical in

  shape.

  • The poles run on the exterior of the tent body.
  • Ropes that run from attachment points outside of the tent body are staked into the ground to provide stability.
  • Provides lots of headroom and livable space for larger groups and families.
  • Can withstand bad weather when pitched smartly.
  • Quite heavy and bulky when packed, making them unsuitable for carrying on foot. More suited for car camping.
• Cabin Tent

  • A perfect choice when looking for a cheap tent for family camping.
  • Composed of aluminum poles that form a frame that looks like a cabin when fit together and walled with waterproof polyester, nylon, or canvas.
  • Can give livable space and headroom but is not good quality and cannot withstand bad weather.
• Setting up a tent

  1. Unpack your tent supplies.
  2. Lay down a ground cloth.
  3. Insert your tent poles through the frame.
  4. Raise the tent.
  5. Move your things into the tent.
• Safety Protocols in Camping:

  • Avoid camping where rocks and dead trees might fall
  • Do not camp on a wild game trail to prevent large game from running through camp and causing damage or injury
  • Avoid camping on the edge of a cliff to prevent accidents like sleepwalking or landslides
  • Camp near a screen of trees that shelters the tents from strong winds, while still allowing some breeze to keep flying insects away
  • Take cover under trees lower than others around you
  • Stay at least one hundred feet away from metal objects, backpacks, fences, etc., and insulate yourself from lightning by sitting or lying on a rubber sleeping mat
  • Stay away from flooded creeks, streams, and drainage ditches to avoid potential bank collapses due to saturation
  • Always dispose of solid and liquid waste properly