Independence Day is upon us, and in my family we usually go camping.So for this weeks list I want to share some of my tips for making the most of each trip. So weather your going for a week long adventure or just one night at the beach, I hope these ideas will help you enjoy your 4th of July adventures.

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1.  Prep your food - Nobody wants to be slicing and dicing when you could be swimming or hiking. I suggest preparing everything you can before you leave the comfort & cleanliness of your home. Pre-make salads, and tin foil dinners. Dice up veggies and cheese for breakfast and lunches and individually package up each meal so all you have to do is open, cook and eat at the camp site. The more time you spend on this step the better.

 

2.  Vacuum seal all your food - If you do not own a Food Saver get one. By vacuum sealing all your food it will save room in your cooler and prevent your meals from getting wet as the ice melts. Plus you will impress every one when dinner time comes and all you have to do is simply open your pre-cut, pre-seasoned meal and throw it on the fire.

 

3.  Use a bin in the cooler for food - If your only going for a day or two, a separate bin in your cooler will help keep your food from getting squished and keep it out of the melting ice.

 

4. Use a 2nd Ice box for your drinks - A drink cooler is essential for any trip over two days. By keeping your food in its own safe environment your kids and friends can open and close the drink cooler all vacation long without disturbing all your hard work and melting all the ice.

 

5.  Build a permanent camping box - If you go camping all the time this step will make each trip even better. Place all your dry camping gear in a rubber tote. Include pots & pans, dishes, & serving equipment. Add napkins,garbage bags, first aid, toys, flashlights, soap, TP & hand towels. I can fit my camp stove and gas as well. I also add a dustpan and hand broom. Everything but FOOD. I keep mine always packed so when the time comes I all have to do is throw it in the truck.

 

6.  Hand wash station - You may be surprised but camping is dirty...

There are lots of creative ways to make your own hand washing station, so get creative. A simple way is:  place a water jug with a open / close valve on a table or flat surface, set a large bowl underneath to catch water, stuff a bar of soap in a nylon stocking and tie it to the water jug, have towels handy to dry.

 

7. Leave every campsite cleaner than you found it - this may not seam like a tip but by cleaning up any and all garbage from your site you will encourage those behind you to do the same. Hopefully, when you come back it will be clean. This includes human waste. If there are no bathroom facilities be sure to bring a shovel or in pristine locations, individual bags for your waist. Either way come prepared.