Cooking
Today there are many options available for adding to cooking choices. Outdoor camp kitchens that have places for stoves, pots, pans, plates and tools are available. There are also stoves that have griddles, grills and even ovens that hook up to propane tanks. Another route to take is more of a back-to-basics approach, such as using a dutch oven to make meals and bake desserts.
Power
New designs and technology have paved the way for a new generation of generators available to help supply power for camping. It's no longer necessary to rely solely on a 12-volt battery to keep lights and other accessories running. These new four-cycle generators run quietly enough that they are hard to hear. You can power your camper from them or use them to charge the 12-volt system.
Caffeine Fix
Coffeemakers and even espresso-makers are now available for camping. Coffeemakers that equal what you use at home now run on 12-volt systems. There are also espresso-makers for the extreme coffee drinker that can be used on a camp stove or open flame. Another option available is using a French Press, which is available in plastic.
Hot Showers
If your choice of camping locale takes you away from hosted campgrounds with amenities such as showers, there are portable showers on the market. Not only can you shower daily, but it can be a hot shower.
The Night Sky
Stargazing is an incredible evening event while camping. Many campgrounds and areas are far enough removed from urban centers that light pollution is much less of a problem, and the night sky opens up. In many areas, the Milky Way can be seen when camping. A good pair of binoculars is all that is needed to search the sky at night. Astronomy binoculars are more powerful, but they do require a tripod. Using a simple star chart will help you identify many of the basic constellations.
Electronics
For those who have trouble making the break from civilization, there are a number of electronic gadgets to take along. A GPS is great for mapping and safety, portable radios assist communication between camp and people out for the day, weather radios keep you abreast of current conditions and, if you want, you can even use an electric blanket that runs off a 12-volt battery.
Article Written By Andy McVeigh
Andy McVeigh lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast who enjoys paddling, biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, scuba diving and photography. McVeigh is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and is currently working on his MBA.
