Why You Should Go Camping, Even in the Rain
This storyline is different than it originally set out to be.
We thought we’d camp for a night at Vermont's Green River Reservoir and use our experience to offer some tips on organizing a last-minute summertime overnight. Yeah, most likely with a suggestion that you find a crew of females to do it with; nine enthusiastic women down to paddle in all their gear and kick back for a night has success written all over it.
Except when severe thunderstorms and heavy rain bombard your weather app. Then you wonder if you should cancel. But we went anyways.
Yes it rained, and we can admit, sun would have been nice. But the showers passed, and we cooked dinner on an open fire, ate s’mores, drank drinks, and told stories. In the morning, finally drying off and still warming up by the fire, we were shouting out items for the tip list.
- Make sure your crew is right. Because anything can happen.
- Find a primitive camping spot — it’s way better than staring at your neighbor’s camper all night!
- Make a group pack list so you don’t over-pack or double up.
- Remember your headlamp.
- Stick to the plan. Especially if you are in a paddle in / paddle out scenario without any cell phone service. If your arrival time changes, call the Park Ranger to let them know so they can pass a message on.
- Even if it’s cloudy, swim before you leave. The water might be warmer than the air.
- Start the fire early, especially if there’s rain in the forecast and you’re using it to cook. If you get the coals built up enough, they’ll stay lit through passing showers.
- Definitely cook over the campfire, that was delicious.
- Keep your towel out of the rain.
- Be optimistic in the face of weather variability.
- Just go, regardless of the forecast.
That last one’s compelling…don’t you think?
There are plenty of reasons to stay at home. Work is too busy, the drive is pretty far, camping is a commitment — real talk — packing takes forethought, and you might not sleep that well. Throw a crummy weather forecast in the mix, and we’ve got a hall pass to rain check, literally.
But when it's warm enough, what’s so bad about rain, really?
You want the right pair of shoes or be willing to go barefoot, and you should for sure have a rain jacket. Your tent needs to be reliable and 100% waterproof. You need to stay positive: Showers will pass, and you will dry off. Packing a couple of extra tarps to tie up and keep things dry is smart, do that. But without a doubt this is our best advice: Dismal forecasts don't matter, just go.
Because really, that's what sets us apart.
Heading outdoors when the rest of the world goes in is one of our better habits. It’s easy to be outside in the sun, but it’s rewarding to witness weather patterns roil overhead. We saw lightening, heard thunder, and watched the wind pick up and down. In the morning, the water was warmer than the air so we jumped right in and swam around, just like the Loons we heard calling throughout our stay. We cooked breakfast around a fire with a bunch of our friends and went for a group canoe ride long before we’d typically arrive at work.
Rain or shine, we'll do it again. ∆