Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent camping experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went camping. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, particular camping routes and spectacular views. The experiences you've forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a camping journal, this won't be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank's Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your camping experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.
A good camping journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don't have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:
1. Who you went camping with,
2. Where you camped and if you enjoyed it,
3. Who you met and contact information for them,
4. The geographic and weather conditions, and
5. Any unique things that occurred while camping.
At the end of the camping trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:
1. Contact information for other campers and people you met,
2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you camp in the location a second time.
3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and
4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren.
To get the most out of your camping journal, you should write in it during while you're camping. Every trip is special, even if you just go out for a weekend.
Camping is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.
