Vacations are one of the most important parts of everyone’s year. They give us a chance to relax, refresh, and indulge in whatever activities tickle our fancy. This year, you may want to consider going on a camping trip instead.
While traditional camping has its attractions (relaxing by the water, getting away from it all), modernizing and evolving the classic concept of camping has given birth to a new wave of adventure travel. And what’s more, all you need to bring with you is your camping gear – no tents or sleeping bags required!
The appeal of camping has been ingrained in humans for centuries. However, the technology behind it has constantly shifted and improved, resulting in something fresh and exciting for everyone.
Here, we’ll tell you about six ways in which a camping trip can be improved by utilizing solar energy. And when I say improve, I mean optimize. When you’re camping, typically the last thing you want to do is spend lots of time powering up devices that you don’t need (that is, if you’re trying to save energy). These days, it’s possible to have all the amenities of a modern city right in the middle of nature. Without needing to worry about the power going out.
Add A Little Luxury
Camping should be treated with the same respect as a luxury hotel stay. After all, you’re on vacation – you deserve something nice! There are ways to ensure that your camping trip is as luxurious as possible, without going overboard and breaking the bank. If you want to improve your camping experience, consider getting a solar-powered lantern. These lanterns don’t need electricity to work, so they allow you to keep things simple and elegant. They also come with a small seating area, so you can relax with a book and a beer while the sun sets – what more could you ask for?
Another way to add some luxury to your camping trip is with a small fridge. Having a small fridge is amazing when you’re camping, as it means you can keep some drinks (such as beer and wine) chilled. Fridges are also great for storing things like ice cream, which you can’t keep cool in the tents. If you want to get even more luxurious, go for a freezer. Freezers keep food frozen, which means you can pull out what you need at any time, and prepare food without needing special equipment. Having a freezer also means you can hang out with your friends in the outdoors, as it’s easy to cook dinner when the sun goes down.
Reduce Waste
Camping is all about being a part of nature and reconnecting with the elements. However, there’s a different way of looking at it: consider how much waste there is when you’re camping. Typically, campers are built with lightweight materials, which break down easily and are designed to be transported and set up in no time. When it comes to going green while camping, this means that a lot of packaging ends up going to landfill. Instead of creating more waste, why not reduce it? Instead of buying new tents and sleeping bags every year, consider updating and replacing the gear you have with better and more eco-friendly versions.
Another way to reduce your own waste while camping is to purchase reusable water bottles. Instead of filling your water bottles at the campground’s fountain and then disposing of them, consider buying a refillable drink bottle. These bottles are designed to be reused and save you both time and money. What’s not to like?
Cook What You Need
One of the major differences between camping and city living is how much you need to cook. In the city, you have electricity and gas stations at your fingertips, along with restaurants that offer gourmet cuisine. In other words, you don’t need to cook much, as everything you need is available. This is why most New Yorkers prefer to eat out rather than cook at home – it saves them both time and money (and let’s be honest, there’s probably a lot more fun to be had in restaurants!).
Camping is all about being self-sufficient. This means that you need to be able to provide for all your needs – meaning you’ll either need to cook or purchase whatever you need. Naturally, this can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience in the wilderness. Fortunately, there are simple ways to improve your odds of success. First and foremost, learn how to pitch a tent. Tents aren’t that hard to set up, but there are some advanced techniques that can make it easier. Once you’ve learned how to pitch a tent, you can start improving your camping experiences by taking it easy on yourself. Instead of carrying your entire kitchen with you, bring a camp stove and cook what you need. What’s more, if you want to have a really luxury camping experience, take a look at what solar powered devices can do. These gadgets allow you to charge up devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops) using the power of the sun. So, instead of worrying about whether or not your electronics will die, bring a solar charger to fix them up.
Another way to improve your camping experience is to take a walk. After all, the most memorable experiences while camping usually come from walking down the road until you see a beautiful view, or meeting new people and making new friends. There are several techniques you can use to improve your odds of success on a walk. First, choose your area carefully. Check out the weather so you don’t end up in a situation where you’re unprepared. Also, bring a flashlight with you, so you can see where you’re going and what you’re doing. Furthermore, it’s handy to have a small compass with you, so you can keep track of which way is north (if you’re not familiar with GPS, they can be a real pain to use in the wilderness, as you have no idea what is near and far because there’s no connectivity).
Build A Better Shelter
Last but not least, let’s talk about the most important part of any camping trip: your shelter. There are several ways to build a better shelter for your camping trip, all of which make it more comfortable and safer. First, build a deck. Decks improve the aesthetics of your campsite and give you more room for all the things you need. They can also be used as a place to cook or store your food. What’s more, they offer protection from the rain (which can be both unwanted and intense), making them ideal for camping. Finally, building a deck also makes it easier to set up your tent. You can use one of those collapsible shelters that come with a built-in sleeping mat and a rainfly for when it does start raining – but let’s be honest, the rain is a part of the camping experience and you’ll have more enjoyable moments when it isn’t raining than when it is.
Another way to improve your camping experience is through insulation. Everyone likes to be warm (especially after being cold for so long), and the best way to achieve this is with some good insulation. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags aren’t enough, as you’ll still be laying directly on the ground and, therefore, won’t be keeping warm. Instead, consider taking a look at bat tents. These tents are specifically designed to keep bats away from your campsite, so you don’t have to worry about nasty creatures ruining your sleep. In addition to that, bat tents also keep the rain off your sleeping mat (and the ground around it), which means you can enjoy a good night’s sleep without worry.
Now, you might be wondering what all of this has to do with solar energy. Well, everything you need for a luxury camping experience can be achieved with simple and effective solar power. And what’s more, using solar power is not only good for the environment, as you’re not producing any carbon emissions while on the trip, but it’s also good for your wallet. So, consider going green while enjoying your luxury camping trip and you’ll have no regrets.