2023 October

Car Camping-Conducting a Skills Assessment for New Trekking Dads

Conducting a Skills Assessment- Car Camping

So, if you are like me you are starting this adventure with little to no outdoor skills or experience. My biggest issue when I started was I had no idea how much I didn’t know.

The one skill I did have was the ability to let my guard down and lose my ego so that I could learn what I needed to be successful. This was a skill that I wanted to show and teach my sons. I wanted them to understand that you may not know everything, but can you develop the ability to look objectively at a situation and understand that you could learn something to better yourself and your situation. Having this skill is vital not only when conducting a skill assessment for outdoor adventures, but in your everyday lives. The next skill I wanted to develop was how to take what I learned and then be able to teach these skills to my two sons.

My initial skill assessment appeared to be a simple one. I wanted to be able to take my wife and two boys car camping at a local park.

Just looking at the skills needed, here is what my initial skill assessment looked like:

• Packing List: Do I know how to create a packing checklist of all the things needed for the campout?

• Campsite Selection: Do I know how to choose an appropriate and safe campsite, considering factors like distance from water sources and minimizing environmental impact?

• Tent Setup: Do I know how to pitch and secure a tent properly? Do I know which tent is needed for the camping we are doing?

• Stake and Guyline Use: Am I familiar with the use of tent stakes and guylines to secure our tent and tarps in various conditions?

• Knot Tying: Do I know simple basic essential knots for securing gear, setting up tarps, and various campsite needs?

• Tarp and Shelter Building: Do I know how to set up tarps and create makeshift shelters in case of unexpected weather conditions?

• Campfire Building: Do I understand fire safety and how to build and maintain a campfire for cooking, warmth, and entertainment?

• Basic Outdoor Cooking: Do I know how to prepare meals in the wilderness, whether using a camp stove or open fire?

• Food Handling: Do I know how to handle food safely to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses?

• Campsite Lighting: Do I know how to choose and set up lighting sources, such as lanterns or headlamps, for safe and convenient illumination at night?

• Campsite Comfort: Do I know how to make our campsite comfortable with suitable sleeping arrangements, camp chairs, and other conveniences?

• First Aid: Do I have an understanding of basic first aid and know how to respond to common camping-related injuries, such as cuts, burns, blisters, and/or insect stings?

• Weather Preparedness: Am I prepared for changing weather conditions, including rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations? Do I identify and bring appropriate clothing and gear?

• Bear/Animal Safety: If I am camping in bear country, do I understand bear safety practices, including proper food storage and what to do in a bear encounter? This also includes other animals depending on where you are camping.

• Campsite Hygiene: Do I know how to practice proper hygiene and sanitation, including waste disposal, to minimize health risks and unwanted animal encounters?

• Leave No Trace: Am I aware of and do I follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize our impact on the environment and show respect to the wilderness?

• Camping Etiquette: Do I understand camping etiquette, which includes being respectful of fellow campers, keeping noise levels down, and observing campground rules?

• Navigation: Do I know how to familiarize myself with a GPS device, maps, and compasses to navigate in and around the campsite and surrounding areas?

• Gear Maintenance: Am I able to perform basic gear maintenance, such as patching a tent, fixing a broken zipper, or repairing equipment in the field? Do I know how to take care of this equipment once the trip is over to extend its lifespan?

• Water Purification: Do I know how to purify water from natural sources using filters, chemicals, or boiling to ensure safe drinking water?

Looking back at where I started and where I am now, I can’t believe how much I have learned and taught my family during our adventures. It is a process and you will not learn everything all at once. If you take it step by step, then you will get there. Every trip, every campout, and every adventure, I still learn something and I add these lessons to my “tool” kit.

You do not have to be an expert on all of the above listed items. Being familiar with them is a good start. My next blog post will help you get the essentials need to get outdoors and get started.

I will begin to address all of these items in detail and we will get you the skills you need to get your family outdoors and into the adventure.

As always….

Is Everybody Ready?.....Trek On!