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Organize and Maximize Your Outdoor Time

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Self-storage can help make your camping more organized.

With spring on our doorsteps, thoughts of camping trips are on many minds. Maximize the time you spend camping and lessen the work that goes into the set up with a few organization and storage tips from some longtime camping pros at our storage office.

Making yourself a couple of prepacked containers will help get out the door quickly for those spurs of the moment camping trips driven by great weather or a little extra time off.  Your first container will be nonperishable food, label it as such so there is no guessing what’s inside. The second container will have toiletries. And if you are tenting consider a third container.

Container one: nonperishable food. Think about quick and easy meals, dry soup mix, cereal in small, sealed containers, graham crackers and chocolate bars ready for smores night, trail mix, granola or protein bars, jerky, freeze dried meals, instant coffee, drink powders or shelf stable milk products.

Container two: Biodegradable toilet paper, Hand sanitizer, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, quick drying towel, feminine products, a first-aid kit, or first-aid supplies.

If you are tenting consider a third container that has kitchen equipment like a can opener, tin foil, cutting board, knives, paper towel, weatherproof matches, or a BBQ lighter, cookware, travel mugs, utensils, a sharp knife, biodegradable dish soap, water bottles, trash bags, a dish towel and pot scrubber. This could mean doing a double up purchase, so you are not stealing from the kitchen.

Pro tip: If you are glamping or renting a condo somewhere have a kit on hand that contains, favorite spices, gravy mixes, cutting board, knives, dish cloth and tea towel, rope, corn holders, salt, pepper, and sugar because not every short-term rental comes with these items.

Happy Trails…  

….. oh yes, now you don’t have to unpack these contains in colder months. Now, let’s consider where and when you are keeping all this summer camping gear during the cold months.

A 5 by 10 storage unit will hold a person’s camping gear.  Take some time and wipe down your tent, tarps, storage containers, and small equipment. If you found un-used items, its now time to think if they can come off your list for next summer.  Things like oars, water skis and life jackets can stand up in a corner of your storage unit in a laundry basket to keep them together. Pull out all batteries from lamps or other equipment to avoid damage from corrosion that can happen when these items sit.

Keep your heavy items at the bottom of your unit, putting the lighter containers or boxes on top to maximize your space.

A hint to help keep all your items dry over the winter months is to keep all those little silica packets that you find coming in nearly everything you purchase. Also to avoid musty smells consider hanging your tent and sleeping bags instead of storing them in their stuff sacks.

A little organization and storage wisdom will help get you get quickly on your way to your next adventure.

If your adventures take you on the road long term, remember we have offices in Lacombe and Drayton Valley

 

~ Sue Sage

Guide to Summer Gear Storage

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As the sun-soaked days of summer fade on the horizon, they leave behind the simple joy of outdoor pursuits, from pedalling along scenic trails, to setting up camp, or gliding gracefully atop shimmering waters—summer gifts us with a multitude of cherished experiences.

Whether you are a biker, camper, or paddler, summer gives us great pleasure. All these wonderful activities lead to an accumulation of outdoor gear. What is your plan for storing it during the off-season?

In this guide, we delve into preserving these cherished adventures—cleaning, organizing, and storing your summer gear. It’s a journey that involves not just safeguarding your possessions but also ensuring that the magic of summer continues for years to come.

Summer Gear Storage Tips:

  1. Clean Your Equipment

After every summer adventure, it’s essential to clean your equipment thoroughly. Use warm water and mild soap to cleanse your gear, including tents and sleeping bags. Removing any dirt and ensuring they’re completely dry before storage is vital, particularly for preventing mold and mildew.

  1. Choose the Right Storage Containers

Long-term storage of tents and sleeping bags should be in breathable mesh bags or cotton bags like old pillowcases. Loosely fold these items for long-term storage instead of tightly rolling them. This allows airflow, preventing mold and mildew growth. Remember, compressing a sleeping bag for extended periods can damage its fill.

  1. Organize Smaller Items

Store smaller items like flashlights, matches, eating utensils, plates, cookware, and more in clear storage containers. This way, you can easily identify and access them when needed.

  1. Organize Water Gear

Choose a large container to hold wetsuits, life jackets, water shoes, and other water gear. This ensures they’re kept together and protected during the off-season.

  1. Follow Manufacturer Recommendations for Watercraft Storage

Store paddle boards, canoes and kayaks indoors so the winter weather will not degrade fiberglass, plastic, fabric or specially-coated wood hulls.

 

Pro Tip: keep a checklist stored with your equipment so you don’t forget anything for your camping trips. Your list should include all items you will typically want to bring along.

Many of our clients store their summer gear in the garage or a spare closet so they can quickly pack up the car for a weekend getaway. But if these items are filling your halls and other living spaces self storage is an option that comes in many sizes to accommodate these items in the colder months.

Call us now at Medicine Hat Storage where we prioritize your storage needs — 1-877-415-6576

Top 5 Mistakes When Storing Your RV

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If you are new to the RV scene, welcome! We hope you had a great summer visiting all the beautiful camping spots Alberta has to offer. It’s hard to say goodbye to summer and park the RV. To help you get back on the road without delay next RV season here are some winter storage blunders to avoid: Read more

Camping During Covid-19

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Now that the weather is finally nice most of us have the itch to get our campers out, spruced up, and on the road to our favorite camping spot so we can enjoy our summer. Well this season it is looking very different thanks to Covid-19.

Provincial campsites will all remain closed until after a government assessment on June 21, 2020. However, the private camp grounds are under county discretion as long as they comply with rules set out by Alberta Health Services. Here’s what to prepare for this Covid camping season:

  • Only Motor Homes and hard sided travel trailers that are completely self contained with an internal water supply, holding tanks and personal washroom will be allowed.
  • All public washrooms and shower facilities will be closed.
  • Campers will need to bring their own water as there will be no access on site.
  • Campground capacity will be limited for purposes of social distancing
  • There must be a minimum space of 30ft between camp sites
  • No group camping and no co-mingling of campers.
  • Campers must disinfect tables upon arrival and departure.
  • No garbage collection. Campers will need to take their garbage with them when they leave.

 

We have found some campgrounds around central and southern Alberta that are following these guidelines and hoping to open to campers June 1.

  • Close Drayton Valley we have Elevated Experience Camping 780-542-5821 and Kay-son RV Park 780-514-5969.
  • Around Edmonton we have Glowing Embers RV Park & Travel Centre 1-877-785-7275.
  • By Rocky Mountain House is Outwest Camping 403-844-3083.
  • In Blackfalds Watipi Campground 780-852-6176.
  • By Okotoks we have Riverbend Campground 403-938-2017.
  • Also, the Hoodoo RV Resort in Drumheller, 403-823-2790. This site is also taking snowbirds and essential workers only until June 1st.
  • In Nanton. the Lions Campground, 403-336-9999 will be open.

Let’s not let this discourage us from enjoying one of our all-time favorite summertime traditions, as with like the rest of our lives this is our new normal until we can get this virus under control. Happy camping!

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-private-and-municipal-campgrounds.pdf

~ Candice Sinclair

7 Essential Steps to De-Winterize Your RV

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Information Courtesy of Western RV

Get ready for another great camping season by de-winterizing your RV. Here are seven essential steps to getting ready for the road.

SEAMS AND SEALANTS

Winter weather can wreak havoc on rubber, plastic and caulking compounds so inspect seams and seals for leaks. Read more

Getting Your RV Ready for Spring – Western RV Feature

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Camping Season is upon us, here’s some great advice we received to get your RV ready for the spring! Thank you to Mike Kwasek from Western RV, Leduc for the great information on how to “de-winterize” and the services available at Western RV. Read more

Top 5 Day Trips Around Medicine Hat

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Want to take time away but you’re under a time constraint? Here are a few places you can go for the day or longer that are nice for vacations or a day trip and won’t interfere with that dreadful time limit. Read more

Top 10 Camping Must Haves

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Ever get that feeling when you leave on a holiday that you’ve forgotten something at home? Besides the basics (tent, sleeping bags, pillows etc.) follow our staff’s top 10 list for things to bring with you camping so you don’t forget those little things again!camping_fullsize_story1
  1. Bug Spray, Sunscreen and After Bite
    • Be prepared for the outdoors and bugs! Having a sunburn or bug bites can make a camping trip very uncomfortable.
  2. First Aid Kit
    • Make sure you keep a First Aid kit with you in case of any accidents or injuries.
  3. Flashlights
    • Have an extra set of batteries with you or use a solar powered flash light.
  4. Cell Phone and Charger
    • Most of us always have our cell phones but don’t forget the charger; you don’t want to remember in a time of emergency.
  5. Lawn Chairs
    • Enjoy the fire from a chair not the ground 🙂
  6. Axe and Matches/Lighter
    • You might need the axe to chop wood and the matches to light your fire, don’t forget to put your matches in a water proof container so they don’t get wet if it rains.
  7. Spare Water and Food
    • Don’t forget to pack in case of an emergency and you’re stranded. A little extra food and water can go a long way.
  8. Toiletries and Antibacterial Wipes
    • Remember your bathroom items you might need them.
    • Bring Antibacterial Wipes they are more convenient for soap and water when around the fire for your sticky marshmallows or around other messes.
  9. Garbage Bags
    • Go green don’t forget to pick up your garbage. Use a different bag for cans/bottles to recycle later.
  10. Camera
    • Don’t forget while you’re enjoying your trip to take photos to remember the great time later.

For a more extensive packing list visit: Camping Essentials List  We hope you enjoy your vacation this summer!