Plan Ahead And Prepare: Camping In The Rain

Virginia Beach, VA: It’s Thursday night and your mind is racing. All you can think about is how you just have to get through Friday at the office and you’re free! Free to get out and explore! Where will you go? What will you do? What will you need for your next big adventure? There are so many things to take into consideration when planning ahead and preparing. You decide you are going to high tail it to your favorite scenic wilderness destination along the lake. First things first, check the weather. Oh no! The forecast calls for rain, and a 20% chance of thunderstorms. You think to yourself, “Hmm should I go? Yes of course I should. I’m not afraid of a little rain!”.

You pack up your backpack lined with a water proof bag filled with some camping, cooking gear, and all the essentials.

• First aid kit/ Repair kit
• Fire starter
• Sun gear
• Food/water
• Map/Compass
• Headlamp/ flashlight
• Multi tool
• Extra clothes
• Rain Jacket/ Rain fly for your tent
• Tarp

Once you arrive, you scope out the scene. You know that rain is in the forecast, so where should you set up your tent? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you decide.

• Good campsites are found, not made.
• Avoid setting up your tent in places that look like they have flooded before.
• Camp 200 ft away from water sources.
• Avoid digging trenches or building structures in your campsite.
• And remember, always camp on durable surfaces!

Time to set up your gourmet wilderness kitchen. What would be the ultimate piece of gear to have along with you? A protective tarp, for keeping dry. Setting up a tarp can take some practice. Take some time to learn how to set up your tarp properly. We like to say, if you don’t know knots, tie lots. Setting up your tarp before the storm, is crucial for maximizing comfort during your experience.

The storm shows up, and wow are you excited! You have the ultimate rainproof home away from home. You think back to when you were planning for your trip and couldn’t be happier that you were as prepared as you are.

To learn more about planning ahead and preparing for your adventures, visit https://lnt.org/learn/principle-1. 

Adventure on!

Steph and Andy – Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Team East

Leave No Trace’s Stephanie Whatton and Andy Mossey are part of the 2015 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, Deuter, Hi-Cone, REI, Smartwool, The North Face, and Yakima.