- Historical Reenactment Camping
Participants, usually members of formal organizations, provide their own authentic kits and uniforms that often include weapons and tools of the period. Some reenactments last a day while others take place over a weekend or longer, featuring maneuvers, marches and historic battles.
For these events, enthusiasts live in camps typical of the period and use accurate replicas of utensils, shelters, furnishings, lighting and food specialties.
Because authenticity is key, historical reenactment groups seldom offer casual "civilian" participant experiences. Consider working with a local organization to give this form of camping a try.
- Overnight Bicycle Camping
- For your first trip, stay close to home in case problems arise. Travel farther away as you become more experienced.
- Trip expenses are quite low once you've purchased the bike and equipment. Food is often the most expensive aspect.
- You can go bicycle camping on most bikes.
- Minimalist Camping
In this form of extreme camping, you pack only what you need. This list of items to bring includes:
- One small to medium sleeping bag per camper
- A tent big enough to sleep in and a ground sheet or tarp. If you do bring a groundsheet, pack a tarp as well, in case of an emergency.
- A minimum amount of clothing. This means you'll wear everything more than once and bring enough to layer in case of cold weather.
- Basic cooking gear: a small camp stove, one pot or pan, tongs, a single set of utensils, a cup or water bottle, tin foil, matches and a basic ax.
- Survivalist Camping
For this form of extreme camping, the entire adventure is stripped down to the barest essentials:
- Water: You can't live more than four days without water, and that's pushing it. For this reason, make camp near a river or lake, remembering to stay at least 100 feet away, based on the leave no trace principles. Always boil the water for at least one minute, if it's not from a treated source.
- Shelter: This varies dramatically with the weather and temperature. Try to find high ground that's protected from wind and distanced from any drainage channels, such as gullies or washes. The simplest shelter is an A-frame tarp tent. Get up off the ground if you can, either on a pad or a bed of leafy tree branches or brush.
- Food: There are three options for food. You can bring it with you, which can add a lot of weight, pack some food and forage for the rest, or you can find everything as you go– an option reserved only for the most dedicated survivalists.
- Heat: Know how to make a fire with a variety of tools, as well as with no tools at all.
- Work Camping
Work campers collect camping fees, help visitors find available sites, answer questions, and watch for problems on the property. Work campers may also work in park concessions, food service and other positions.