Fall camping in Virginia

• Tarps and Bungee Cords – Bring one tarp for under your tent and one for over your tent. Use the bungee cords to *gently* suspend a tarp above your tent by way of trees. The tarps help to protect your tent from the elements.
• Lantern with extra fuel and/or flashlights with extra batteries.
• Waterproof matches and a few fire starter sticks or fatwood.
• Find decent sized rocks to create a fire ring. If you have a small camp shovel, dig a pit and line it with the rocks. Lowering your fire below ground level will help protect it from the wind. Be sure the fire area is clear of limbs and foliage up to 3-5 yards. Check for low-hanging limbs, too.
• Inquire with the park or campground about firewood. Some allow you to gather your own or they have it for purchase. Rarely is firewood allowed to be carried in.
• Plastic zipper bags will keep dry the things that need to be dry.
• A large plastic bin is great for food storage. (Ahem, critters have a keen sense of smell.)
• Multi-tool. Many include knives, corkscrews, screwdrivers, a bottle opener … you never know what you might be able to make use of.
• Bring a skillet, a small pot, a large pot and metal skewers. Oh, and don’t forget a potholder or oven mit! Those pieces will get hot over the fire. Use the large pot to heat water over the fire for the purpose of washing your dirty pots and dishes. Skewers are great for hot dogs, marshmallows, and kebabs (if you feel like going that far).
• Sleeping bag, a few extra pairs of socks, and clothes that enable layering will make your adventure much more comfortable. The nights are chilly!