Camperland's Guide to Settings Up Camp
(News archive - May 8th 2009)
So you’ve got your tent, sleeping bag and other camping equipment packed and ready to go. However, it is not always as simple as packing up and heading to your destination. Manchester-based firm Camperlands, which stocks camping equipment, airbeds and trailer tents, has these tips for you...
Think about where you should set up. ‘High and dry’ is the idea here – setting up your tent on high, level ground will ensure you do not roll out of it at night and will also mean you are less likely to fall victim to bad weather, such as heavy rain.
Setting up your cooking equipment. It is obviously important that before you start preparing or cooking food, that you find a suitable flat area away from leaves, twigs and other greenery that could catch fire. Don’t ever cook in your tent!
Dominic Ryder, Managing Director of Camperlands, added, “Be careful if you are planning to build a camp fire as many sites do not allow it. If it is only for food, then a stove or barbeque is likely to be easier for you.”
Pick a suitable area for cleaning. A true camper is always considerate of nature – hot, soapy water might work well in your kitchen sink but when camping, it is better to use bio-degradable soap to avoid any harm to the environment. After having cleaned your dishes, make sure the water is disposed in the designated area and not just anywhere!
Be a clean camper. All litter must be collected and be disposed of securely for both hygienic reasons and also to avoid attracting the local wildlife to a buffet in your bin.
Enjoy yourself – but respect the rules. Most campsites will have basic rules so it is certainly worth taking a good look.
Stay safe. A simple enough message but sometimes quite easily forgotten, as Mr Ryder explains, “Camping, of course, is all about having fun and making the most of an enjoyable experience. With technology these days, it is worth taking a mobile phone with you. We even stock the Bayliss Magic Torch which also acts as an emergency phone charger, which is ideal for the average camping break.”
Make a checklist. Before you set out, it is always worth putting together a list of all the kit you are taking with you, which will help you when you are packing to head home. It also means you would be able to make a note of any items, which may have been lost or damaged while camping.
Clean up before you leave. Even if you are on the camping trip of a lifetime that is still no excuse to leave a mess behind when you leave. Remember, the heart of a true camper lies in nature so leave your campsites as clean as possible. You wouldn’t want to turn up to a dirty site, would you? If there are no bins or disposal means, put all of your unwanted items into a separate bag to your belongings and put it in the bin when you get home.
About Camperlands
Camperlands Ltd was founded by the late and much missed Mike and Peggy Ryder in 1968. The original concept was to hire frame tents out in the summer season to generate some extra income for their growing family. Their first season lasted 6 weeks during the summer school holidays and was run from the back garden of the family home. It was a resounding success, which gave the Ryder's the confidence to begin tent sales along with camping equipment and caravan accessories. The business grew and the following year relocated onto a garage forecourt, where all the tent displays had to be erected and dismantled every day. So in 1970 the company moved to its present premises, this gave Mike and Peggy Ryder the space and security required to begin creating the purpose built open-air camping and leisure exhibition that exists today.
Today there are quite literally thousands of caravan, camping and motorhome accessories in stock, with several covered display areas dedicated to trailer tents, tents and folding campers.