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Sunday, May 2, 2004

Get a Handle on All Your Camping Gear

By Marilyn Gruen
For the Journal
    Before you leave on a camping trip, do you end up looking for the infamous two-in-one salt-and-pepper shaker? How about the rope for your clothesline or the portable shower? These tips can help you with your camping or RV trips:
   

Use covered, plastic containers to store your camping gear. Label each container with the contents. Store like items together.
   

For cooking, buy duplicates of everything you use in your kitchen (e.g. Ziploc bags, aluminum foil, utensils) so you don't have to pack every time you want to take a weekend getaway. Label all camping items (utensils, coolers). Keep a running list of items you will need to buy or replace when you return from your trip.
   

Use a master camping/RV supplies list that includes categories such as clothing (rain gear, hiking, sleeping), cooking/food, hygiene, entertainment (books, camera) and emergency/safety (first aid, flashlight, lighter or waterproof matches, cell phone, maps). Modify this list annually as your needs change.
    Marilyn Gruen is the owner of Simply Organized, an organizing service for home and office. You may reach her at 332-9676 or mgsimorg@comcast.net.