Try Homemade Camping Gear for that Special Touch

If you’re planning a camping trip, why not try bringing along some homemade camping gear? There are all kinds of supplies that can be crafted by hand, depending on your expertise as a crafter. First, let’s take a look at the basic supplies you’ll need for a traditional excursion. A tent is a must, as are sleeping bags. You’ll also need toilet tissue, lanterns, matches, a first aid kit, insect repellant, water and food, and a compass. Many people choose to bring more than this, but these are the basics for a safe and fun camping trip.

Let’s start with the tent. Can you make a tent yourself? Well, you could, but I wouldn’t recommend it although as a scout leader I have slept  in shelters many a time. The reason for this is because today’s tents are made from high quality, weatherproof material and crafted with factory precision to be ideal in every aspect.

You can make a tent by using some medium-size waterproof tarps, a few long, straight sticks, some short posts, and a coil of rope. To erect your homemade tent, lay out the two tarps side by side on the ground. Then, pick up both front ends, place a grommet from each tarp over a stick, and secure the stick into the ground. Repeat this process with the middle of the tarps, and then the end. Cut some lengths of rope and tie each pair of grommets to the sticks. The next step is to cut six more lengths of the rope. Then, use a rock to pound the posts into the ground alongside the tent on both sides. One post should be located at the front, one at the middle, and one at the end of the tarps. Tie each length of rope to each post, and then to a grommet in the side of the tarp. Make sure that the ropes are taut enough so they hold the tent up so it’s straight and secure. And finally, use another length of rope, and run it in and out through the grommets in the tops of the tarps. Pull it tight enough so the top of the tent is closed up, then tie off the ends.

There’s no need to purchase special cooking utensils, as old pots and pans that have metal handles will work fine while you’re camping. Find three long, relatively-straight sticks and tie them together to make a tripod over the campfire. Then, use two short lengths of rope to tie a fourth, shorter stick across the tripod, about a third of the way down from the top. Hang a pot on the stick, and cook your meal. You can even make boiled coffee by using a pan too. Simply add the ground coffee into the pan, fill it with water and place it over the camp fire. Allow the water to come to a boil for a few minutes, and it’s ready to drink. Just be careful not to get any coffee grounds into your cup!

You can also make another piece of your camping gear but with care

- the lantern- easily by cleaning out an old paint can Use a hammer and a large, sharp nail to poke several holes in the sides of the can at least two inches up from the bottom. Then, place an inch or so of petroleum jelly in the bottom of the paint can. Place four or five votive candles in the jelly, and your lantern is ready for use!

If you are excellent with a sewing machine and want to rough it, you could give it a shot, but don’t expect miracles. Something you can easily sew on your own with a decent sewing machine is a sleeping bag. It’s simply a matter of choosing fabrics and filling, adding the zipper and sewing it all together. You could also sew other blankets and coverings to bring along. If you’re going to a cold climate, try making your own fleece vest for extra warmth.

One thing that is easy to make yourself is insect repellant. Natural insect repellant is a safe way to keep the bugs away without the use of toxic pesticides. Here is an easy and effective repellent recipe you can make and take with you on your trip. It takes two weeks so give yourself plenty of time.

• Gather some herbs. Try fragrant herbs like catnip, pennyroyal, spearmint and lavender.
• Place the herbs in a glass jar and cover completely with apple cider vinegar.
• Close jar and place in cool, dark location for two weeks.
• After the two weeks is up, strain into a spray bottle.
• Now you’ve got your very own safe and effective bug spray for skin, clothes and equipment.

If you are unfortunate enough to get bitten then you can dab milk onto the bites to help take the itch out or sodium bicarbonate

And finally, save some plastic milk jugs for your next camping trip too; they’re quite versatile. Clean them out thoroughly, then you can use them to take, as well as store water. You can also cut the top of one out and poke holes in the sides to make a dipper for catching minnows, if you need bait for fishing. A plastic milk jug can also be cut down to serve as a makeshift bowl for your morning cereal at your campsite

Homemade camping gear is something that, for the most part, is best left to the very experienced. You certainly don’t want equipment that can’t stand up to the elements or falls apart on you. If you must make your own gear, choose easy projects like the ones suggested in this article and buy the more crucial supplies like your tent, safety equipment and first aid supplies from a trusted outdoor supply store