“It is an age of hurry and worry. Anything slower than steam is apt to “get left.” Fortunes are quickly made and freely spent. Nearly all busy, hard-worked Americans have an intuitive sense of the need that exists for at least one period of rest and relaxation during each year, and all—or nearly all—are willing to pay liberally, too liberally in fact, for anything that conduces to rest, recreation and sport. I am sorry to say that we mostly get swindled. As an average, the summer outer who goes to forest, lake or stream for health and sport, gets about ten cents’ worth for a dollar of outlay. A majority will admit—to themselves at least—that after a month’s vacation, they return to work with an inward consciousness of being somewhat disappointed—and beaten. We are free with our money when we have it. We are known throughout the civilized world for our lavishness in paying for our pleasures; but it humiliates us to know we have been beaten, and this is what the most of us know at the end of a summer vacation. To the man of millions it makes little difference. He is able to pay liberally for boats, buckboards and “body service,” if he chooses to spend a summer in the North Woods. He has no need to study the questions of lightness and economy in a forest and stream outing. Let his guides take care of him; and unto them and the landlords he will give freely of his substance.” -Nessmuk” (George Washington Sears) 1920

Nothing in Nessmuk’s Woodcraft and Camping is more relatable to me than this part of his opening passage. The time of relief and relaxation from the day to day is so prized that I intentionally try to look ahead, prepare, and plan out what I would like to do on my time off and I always have a running list of things I want to do in preparation for the excursions away from home. I think each of us should purposefully set aside time to get away from the hustle and bustle and use the smaller pockets of free time to prepare in anticipation for the longer excursions, life is too short. I prefer to use the winter months to prepare for my camping trips and living history events since I am not as active. I offer my following checklist for you to adapt and add to your own system to help your preparation and usefulness of available time. I hope you have fun with it!

1. start with the bigger stuff and see if they need repaired or replaced (upgraded): tents, pack, bedding such as sleeping bag or blanket
2. What projects did you want to achieve? put together a sewing kit, first aid kit, fire starting kit, make a packing box, camp furniture, organizational system
3. What expendables need replenished? flashlight batteries, first aid kit, sewing kit, fire kit, emergency rations, emergency gear like emergency blankets or contact information, water filtration, water purification tablets
4. What has been a staple of your gear that needs checked for service and reliability? compass magnetization, maps, knife, hatchet, saw
5. Update list of places you want to visit, hike, camp
6. Put together your own cookbook or try new recipes
7. Test out new equipment, even if it is in your back yard