Camping

"A time to break down, and a time to build up" Ecclesiastes 3: 3b

This is My Father's World - Hymn
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/i/s/tismyfw.htm


Packing up is never as much fun as setting up camp, but it needs to be done all the same. Having a good attitude about packing up makes the final stages of your camping trip enjoyable and your parents will more than likely be willing to do another camping trip in the future.

The problem with packing up is that things tend to be dusty and dirty by the time you're ready to leave. This makes it more unpleasant that simply opening everything up and setting up camp. However, with a little thinking and planning you can make this much easier.

First, bring along a few stiff cleaning brushes in several sizes and a few rags to help whallop things to get the dust and dirt off. Items can be cleaned off fairly easily and if a large tarp is placed on the ground the cleaned items can be folded or stuffed into bags without adding in additional dirt and grime.

Tents are very lightweight and can be unhooked from the ground, lifted into the air and shaken so that the debris and dust inside the tent can come out the opened from tent flaps. If you need 2-3 people to help make this happen, it is easy to work together and get it done. Using a stiff brush, brush off any areas of mud or debris that have attached themselves to the tent. Shake again. Using a rag or even a pair of long socks, you can whallop the inside of the tent or the outer shell to help lift up dust and get it out before you pack up the tent.

Although it is recommended to set up your tent once you get home and clean it out there, with a little time and effort you can do this at your campsite and be ready for another camping trip by packing it the first time and storing until ready to use again.

The nice thing about packing up is that you end up packing less out than you brought in.

http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_5116735_way-clean-tent.html (Video on how to clean your tent out).

http://www.familyfriendlyozcamping.com.au/2010/03/15/packing-up-camping-equipment-when-you-get-home-tips/ (Step-by-step guide to cleaning wet or muddy tents).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X74vvx1-Czs (Video on how to properly pack your tent).