If you live in the Ozarks, you’re definitely no stranger to camping. The mountains and streams seem to call out to us, to the point where it’s virtually impossible not to spend at least some time out in nature. After all, life is short and the world is delightful.
The most beautiful thing about camping is that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re 3 or 93; nervous or adventurous; rich or poor. Camping is what you make it, and there’s no wrong way to do it.
That being said, we have a few thoughts about what makes for the ultimate camping experience in our eyes. Feel free to add, omit or modify these items as much as you want — all camping experiences are completely customizable.
Adventuremobile
Before you go anywhere, you need a way to get there. For us, the solution is obvious. It’s a Subaru. Subarus can take you off the beaten path like other cars can’t, which makes it easier to find that perfect camping spot – or at least entry point. They have more ground clearance, all-wheel drive and just better capability all-around. Plus, Subarus have the best cargo-carrying versatility, so you won’t have to leave any of your gear behind. Not even the big toys.
Sleeping Setup
When you decide to plan a camping trip, you need to ask yourself why. What is the purpose of this trip? Is it to spend some quality time with friends? Is it to escape the chaos and clear your head? Is it to actively explore and immerse yourself in nature? Your reason for camping might make the difference between choosing to sleep in a tent, in the car or in a hammock. Whatever you decide, just be sure to have a backup plan. Of course, if you’re driving a Subaru, you can always sleep there if you need a more substantial shelter.
Fire Starter
If you’re one of those people who can rub two sticks together and make a fire without losing your cool first, good for you! You can skip this item. If not, be sure to bring some kind of fire starter, whether it’s a blowtorch and fuel or a basic piece of flint. Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine, as long as it’ll spark. Fire keeps you warm, keeps you lit, cooks your food, boils your water and creates an excellent ambiance for campfire chats.
Flashlight & Batteries
Your fire will be a source of light, as we just mentioned, but it has its limitations. For one thing, it’s a lot more difficult to travel with fire than it is with a flashlight. So if you get the urge to go exploring in the dark, the fire won’t get you very far. Not to mention the fact that it might rain. That’s just part of being in nature. If your campsite gets hit with wind and rain and you’re somewhere off the grid, you’re going to want an alternative source of light.
Duct Tape
Trust us. Duct tape can come in handy for so many things on camping trips! Uh-oh, you just realized your tent has a hole in it? Duct tape can fix that! Is one of your inflatables leaking? Slap some duct tape on it. Did you finally wear down the soles of those shoes? Duct tape! You get the picture. Throw some in your backpack, and it might just become one of your favorite camping companions.
Layer Up
Seriously, dressing in layers is an amazing camping hack. It might seem simple, but it can make a huge difference in your experience. Weather can change on a dime, especially here in Arkansas. You might wake up feeling cold, but you could be sweating by brunch and back to shivering when the sun goes down. By dressing in layers of clothing, you can easily shed layers when the temperature rises and add layers when the temp drops.
Survival Kit
Okay, we’re not going to lie. Sometimes things like a “survival kit” are an afterthought when it comes to packing up for a camping trip, even for us. It can seem unnecessary, especially if we’re planning a more laid-back trip with a big group. But no matter how chill the trip is, it’s always a good idea to have a survival kit on hand. You can personalize the content of your kit according to the type of camping you will be doing, but these are some good items to include: a knife, a first aid box, water, a flare gun and a radio or walkie-talkie.
If you’re in need of a Subie to be your adventuremobile, come check out our vast selection here at Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville. We can guide you through all the different models and help you find something perfect for your next camping trip — and all the other stuff you do, too. Click here to fill out our contact form.
