Tents, Personal Hygiene & Meals at Camp

It's the very end of winter here in Bozeman, MT! Still some falling flakes in the high country, birds are chirping, ice on the rivers and lakes are all breaking up, and snow drifts are shrinking daily - sure signs that spring is on its way. And for those of you in warmer climes, perhaps green things and flowers are already bursting forth. 

While we patiently await those first green shoots, here at Alpengirl we're already gearing up for our favorite season: SUMMER.

If you've been following the blog this winter, you know we've already covered a number of camp-prep-related topics: from Deciding if You're Ready for Camp, to Choosing Hiking Boots and Socks, and Getting in Shape, Common Concerns (Bears, Bugs, and Backpacking).

As you can see, when camping or backpacking for the first time, there is undoubtedly a lot to learn. Even the most basic tasks, things we rarely give much thought to in our day-to-day lives -- sleeping, showering, cooking, drinking water, washing dishes, using the bathroom -- can look entirely different!  

Many girls come to Alpengirl with loads of awesome questions and valid concerns:

• How will I sleep in the woods? What if I get cold?
• How can I stay clean without a shower?
• What do I do if I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night?
• How will we cook outdoors?
• What will I do if I have my period while camping?

Whether at campgrounds or in the woods, the answers to these questions take several things into account: clean water and soap resources, the importance of hygiene and personal comfort, and our pristine natural surroundings, which we don’t want to harm with human waste or artificial chemicals.

Our Alpenguides understand that unknowns can be incredibly intimidating to first-time campers, and want to alleviate this stress! Within the first couple of days at camp, we will have detailed lessons on “Tent Camping”, “Meal Preparation,” and “Hygiene,” among many other topics, and girls will soon realize that although daily routines may be different when camping, they can also be FUN!

At Alpengirl we always do our best to make learning exciting while giving girls the practical tools and knowledge they need to live comfortably in a tent, without household amenities. Any anxieties campers may have when coming to camp will quickly subside and even the most apprehensive girls will head home with newfound comfortability in the backcountry. 

By the time camp is over, Alpengirls will be ready to pitch a tent, cook a delicious meal on a camp stove, and purify water wherever they go! They may never want to use an indoor toilet again... But we doubt that :)

At camp, learning together and trying new things is part of the adventure!

• Read more about tent camping at Alpengirl
• Read more about food at Alpengirl
• Read more about bathrooms at Alpengirl