When so much of life is about consuming, looking good, uploading your memories to social media, and keeping abreast of the latest news, there can be nothing more nourishing to your soul than abandoning all of this for a weekend away in nature.
By inviting your friends on a trip into the great outdoors, you’ll be providing them with an opportunity to leave their urban lifestyles behind for a couple of days, and to enjoy your friendship in a stripped-back and exciting environment. Here’s how you’ll organize it.
FIND A LOCATION
Where, near you, is the finest nature to camp in and to hike around? It’s a question you possibly know the answer to – but don’t be so sure. There are often hidden pockets of the natural world that you’re unaware of, located just on your doorstep. Take a little time to scroll through Google Maps, searching for the wilderness you’ll base yourself in for the weekend with your friends. Bear in mind, of course, that some areas are out of bounds for campers, and that you should always obey state and federal law when setting up camp in the great outdoors.
INVEST IN GEAR
The great thing about buying camping equipment is that you only have to do it once. With the gear that matters most to you, you’ll be able to take many more excursions into the unknown over the course of your life – and all that you buy now will bear a symbolic resonance with you, attached to so many fun memories. Head over to Self Reliance Outfitters to find all that you need for your trip away, including knives, fire-starters, clothing and other essentials to make your camping trip burst with energy and excitement – and comfort, of course.
FOOD AND DRINK
Your trip into the unknown shouldn’t be a trial: it should be an opportunity for you and your friends to cook on an open fire, and to eat in the heart of nature. As such, planning the food that you’ll take, and the drinks that’ll keep you hydrated, are important stages in the planning cycle of any trip into nature. Think carefully about the food that you can bring that won’t perish, and bring a little more than you expect you’ll need: camping, walking and existing in nature can be tiring, and you’ll need food to replace the energy that you expend keeping warm.
BACK-UP PLANS
Sometimes, sadly, nature isn’t as welcoming as you expected. In the event of heavy rain or other difficult weather, it’s important to have an escape plan, and a Plan B to take your friends to should your camping trip prove to be a washout. As such, find hostels, guest houses, lodges, cabins or other locations that you could retire to should weather or circumstances really turn against you as you arrive for your time in nature. Also, bring some emergency supplies – like a first aid kit – and a charged phone to help you should you run into any trouble during your time away.
These tips should help you make the most of a weekend in nature with your nearest and dearest, briefly escaping your busy urban lives for the serene natural world.
