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Tips for Your Summer Camping!

Beach Camp - Roof Top Tents in Baja
Off The Grid Crew on the Beach of Baja

Tips for Your Summer Camping: Make the Most of Your Adventure!

The weather’s warming up, so we’re gearing up for summer camping! Don’t let the heat make you shy away from your camping urges this summer. There’s great things to see, do, and conquer in the wild during the summer. With the sun comes good times and great trips with your crew! Today we’re looking at tips for camping during the summer! 

Start with the basics, choose a shady campsite! When setting up camp, look for a spot that is shaded by trees or other natural features. This will help keep you cool during the day, make sleeping more comfortable at night, and keep all your belongings in a better spot.

As always, stay hydrated! Bring plenty of water and drink regularly throughout the day. You can also bring electrolyte drinks to replace lost minerals and salts. Plan out your water supply for packing purposes, with the heat in mind. Don’t be afraid to plan for needing an excess amount of water, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Protect your skin, wear sunscreen!  Apply sunscreen liberally to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Remember to reapply frequently, especially after swimming or sweating. 

Dress for the heat! Choose lightweight, breathable clothing that will keep you cool and dry. Avoid cotton, as it tends to hold onto moisture and can make you feel clammy and uncomfortable. Pack accordingly for all your activities with high temperatures in mind.

Be aware of the bugs! Pack insect repellent. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects can be a nuisance during summer camping trips. Pack insect repellent and use it regularly to avoid bites and potential diseases while you’re out adventuring. 

Cool down when you can! Bring a fan. If you’re camping in an area with access to electricity, consider bringing a portable fan to help circulate air and keep you cool. If you don’t have access to electricity, bring a manual fanning device to cool down anywhere, or bring a battery powered device to keep you cool for longer.

Get around it! Plan activities for early morning or late evening. When the sun is at its hottest, try to stay in the shade or near water to cool off. Plan activities like hiking or fishing for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Keep swimming and lake time for the height of the day so you can cool off!

Expect all weather! Be prepared for thunderstorms and monsoons. Summer often brings thunderstorms, so be sure to bring rain gear and keep an eye on weather forecasts. Set up camp in a spot that is elevated and not in a low-lying area that may flood. Keep an eye on the forecast if possible, and pack equipment and clothes for emergency weather situations.

Keep your energy up! Bring plenty of food. Summer camping trips can be physically demanding, so bring plenty of healthy, high-energy snacks and meals to keep you fueled throughout the day. You’ll want to keep yourself energized for your fun activities, don’t let the heat wear you out.

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace

2023 Stargazing Events Everyone Is Talking About

Celestial Spectacles: The Ultimate Guide to Meteor Showers, Planets, Comets & Lunar Eclipses of 2023!

Who doesn’t love stargazing on their camping excursion? We sure do! When you’re out & ‘Off The Grid,’ the stars are in their most beautiful state. Here are the eclipses, meteor showers, and other stargazing events that you’ll definitely want to see on your trips over the next couple of months!

LYRIDS METEOR SHOWER

On April 22nd and 23rd, the Lyrid meteor shower is at its peak where there will be around 20 meteors per hour. The entirety of the shower lasts from April 16th to April 25th and the dim moonlight over this period will produce a great shower. Set up camp and roast some smores for the shower!

BEST TIME TO SEE MERCURY

From March 28th to April 18th, Mercury will be viewed in the Western US states low in the sky. The planet will set over 90 minutes after the sun does, and in its fiery state, it will be able to be seen against the dark sky. Get your crew together and view Mercury just above the horizon after that beautiful sunset!

 

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

On April 25th, a total lunar eclipse is expected to occur. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon, giving it a reddish hue. This eclipse will be visible from most parts of  North America, Asia, Australia, South America, as well as Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean regions. 

 

ETA AQUARIDS METEOR SHOWER

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of May 6-7 in 2023. This meteor shower is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet and is typically one of the best meteor showers of the year, with up to 60 meteors per hour visible under ideal weather conditions and brightness of the moon. The exact number of visible meteors can vary depending on the location. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres so get ready for a show!

 

DELTA AQUARIDS METEOR SHOWER

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower is going to peak on the night of July 28 this summer. This meteor shower is caused by debris from the Comet 96P/Machholz and is known for producing about 20 meteors per hour under optimal viewing conditions such as weather and brightness of the moon. Start your campfire at dusk and get ready for an amazing shower!

 

PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER 

The Perseids meteor shower will be most visible on the night of August 12 in 2023. This shower is one of the most anticipated showers in this upcoming season. It is famous for showcasing up to 60-70 meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions. This meteor shower is a result of debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteors will appear to radiate from a constellation in the northeastern region of the sky. The dim level of the moon will produce a beautiful show for your camping trip!

 

DRACONIDS METEOR SHOWER

The peak of the Draconids meteor shower will be on October 7, 2023. The Draconids is a minor meteor shower, known for producing about 10 meteors per hour under normal conditions. However, during certain years, the Draconids can produce an outburst of hundreds or even thousands of meteors per hour. This meteor shower is caused by debris from the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner,. The meteors will look like they are coming from a constellation in the northern sky. Due to the second quarter moon setting earlier this year, the shower will produce a great show for you and your crew!

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace