Questions for Camping
Created by QFL May 29, 2003

The Experience

        Planning

• Are there specific places where I have always wanted to go?

• Have I considered the different types of camping such as car camping, canoe camping, overnight backpacking? Which do I prefer?

• Have I identified my ideal camping situation?

• Will I bring friends?

• Are these friends experienced campers?

• How can I make this trip the most fun?

• What is the goal of this experience?

• What are my hopes with regard to this trip?

Food

• Where do I plan to eat?

• Will my fellow campers and I  prepare our own meals?

• Do I  have access to a propane stove?

• Have I checked to make sure the stove is working, prior to using it at camp?

• How much fuel will I  need, given the temperature, time needed to prepare the meal(s) and duration of my camping trip?

• Will I have access to water for cooking?

• Does the water need to be purified with a filter or potable aqua pills?

• What kind of food is quick to make, enjoyable to eat, and easy to prepare?

• Have I prepared this meal, at least once, in my own home?

• What will I do with leftover food, if there is any?

• What cleaning supplies and water access will I have to clean my dishes?

• How much food is necessary to bring for the course of the trip?

Gear

• Do I know what I need to bring?

• Do I have checklist that is specific to the type of camping experience I plan to have?

• Do I know how to use all the equipment I am bringing?

  Do I have to buy additional gear?

  Do I have the right navigation equipment?

  Do I really need everything I have packed?

• Do I have the appropriate essentials  for all possible situations?

Selecting Locations

• What is the average temperature in this location?

• What is the worst-case scenario regarding weather?

• What is the best-case scenario regarding weather?

• What is the weather supposed to be over the this time period?

Safety

• How many days will I be going?

  What will the evening temperatures be?

  What will the daytime temperatures be?

  What type of transportation am I using: by foot or canoe?

  To address the people who I'm going out with? WHAT?

  Is this activity safe?

  What are the risks?

  What are the greatest risks?

  What can I do to minimize the risks?

  What type of safety equipment do I need?

  Are there any technical components to this camping?

  Do I feel pressure to compete with the other people with whom I am camping?

  How does my relationships with the other people  in the group effect my judgment?

• If there is an accident, what would be the possible escape routes?

Questions Specific to Cold / Winter - Camping

• Do I have the correct provisions?

  Am I going with the correct people?

  Does anyone know where I am going?

• Is what I'm doing, safe?

• What are the risks associated with this trip?

  What are the weather temperatures that we could expect?

  Do we the have the necessary high- energy food?

  Do the other campers have the right clothes and equipment?

  Have the other people been educated in backcountry experience?

• Do I have the physical strength to do what I am asking my body to do?