How to Prepare for a Week in the Great Outdoors

Traveling across the great expanses of the United States – or anywhere else for that matter – offers plenty of adventure, sight-seeing, and fun. With such hectic and busy lives for most of us, getting away from the hustle and bustle of it all can be a rewarding and relaxing experience. It's not surprising that many people want to spend some time in the great outdoors, unwinding and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of Mother Nature. However, it can be a bit of a shock to leave your comfortable, convenient life and suddenly submerse yourself in the primitive surroundings of the outdoors. To help bridge that gap and balance things out, we've put together some tips for preparing for a week-long excursion into the great outdoors.

Always Bring the Right Clothing

Regardless of season or weather, having the right clothing when enjoying the outdoors is essential. What’s particularly important if you are camping or being exposed to the elements, is investigating what the local climate(s) and weather patterns will be like during your stay. It never hurts to bring clothing for all occasions, but be sure to prioritize for the most likely events. Additionally, you absolutely should bring waterproof clothing – including headgear, jackets, blankets or sleeping bags – that can keep you from being exposed to wet weather (regardless of temperature).

Peruse Camping and Survival Gear Options

There are dozens of activities you can enjoy while spending a week in the great outdoors, each of which presents its own needs and hurdles. For most, having a diverse array of outdoor or survival gear is a prerequisite. Whether you are safeguarding against injury or just ensuring a higher level of comfort, many individual accessories designed to help those exploring Mother Nature are available. Retailers such as woodburyoutfitters.com offer hundreds of unique forms of survival gear, camping accessories, and outdoor appliances. By researching a full list of items available, you can more adequately prepare for whatever adventures you'd like to have over your one-week vacation.

Plan Your Budget

While enjoying the great outdoors may be free in many cases, it's not entirely without cost. Besides the gear you may need to purchase for your one-week outing, you'll also need to consider other costs. Among the most common are food and drink, but there are plenty of other elements. For example, if you're visiting multiple locations, you'll need to have transportation costs covered (whether that be public transit or fuel for your automobile). Many outdoor venues where people love to hike, camp, and hunt charge entrance fees and may even charge you per night to stay there. To ensure you'll have enough money available for the entire week, sit down and plan out your travel itinerary ahead of time. This will give you an idea of what you'll need, and also provide you with some extra time to think of any missed items that need to be added to the list. Most people don't get to break away from the stresses of daily life, but if you're fortunate enough to spend a week in the great outdoors, make sure it counts. By planning for the costs involved, bringing the right clothing, and ensuring you have all the gear you need, you'll be able to relax – while still taking care of the basics.