Pre-season Planning

So far it's been a typical March in Southern Ontario; snow, blizzards, freezing rain, rain, and +10 to -15 in the same day. Combine all that into one soggy, muddy mess and it's hard to get excited about anything to do with camping. But there is a way to drag your thoughts to babbling brooks and the warmth of summer and get a jump on the upcoming camping season at the same time. Head to the basement or garage and start taking inventory of your camping needs so that you're ready when warmer weather finally breaks through.

Here are 5 tips to help you through the late winter and early spring:

1. Take Inventory – That's right, take a good look at what you have, what you need, and what you want for your summer adventures. Check things like bedding, dishes, tent pegs, fabric repair kits. Now's the time to replenish those non-perishable supplies.
   
2. Examine Fabrics – Take the time to check your tents and sleeping bags for broken zippers, split seams, etc. Also check for rodent damage. Mice just love the fabric of your tents and sleeping bags for a cozy winters nest. It's not a pleasant discovery but it's better to find out now than when you're ready to leave for that long awaited first camping trip of the season.
   
3. Check Appliances – Fire up your portable stove, lantern, BBQ, etc. to be sure that insects haven't decided to make a home in the tubes or burners over the winter.
   
4. Lights – this is a good time to check all your flashlights, electric lanterns, etc. to be sure they're in good working order and that you have a good supply of replacement batteries. Have you ever arrived at a campsite after dark only to discover that your lantern batteries are dead?
   
5. Plan your Trips – This is a great time of year to pull out the camping maps or check the Southern Ontario Outdoors camping destinations page and start planning your warm weather adventures. A glass of wine, some roadmaps, and campsite brochures are sure to make the final gasps of our Southern Ontario winter more bearable.
   

Remember that you don't have a timeframe for all this work. Don't think of it as a job, but rather as a precursor to your summer fun off the beaten trail. Take your time and make pre-season planning an enjoyable part of your camping experience.

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