Solar Powered Camping Trips

Could your next camping trip be solar powered?

Sometimes inspiration for blog posts strikes me at the oddest times and in strange situations.  This morning, I was snuggling in a bed in a chilly room at my parents’ house.  I remembered that they had an electric blanket on the bed.  I was thrilled to turn it on and feel the gentle heat warm up my cold toes.  Then I thought…. why not a solar powered sleeping bag?  How about a tent with solar panels that could charge up cell phones, lanterns, “electric” blankets and the like?

You might be wondering why I am thinking about camping in December.  Well, I am a den leader for cub scouts and camping is a regular activity, come rain, snow or shine.  Why not combine survival skills with some renewable energy lessons through a solar powered camping trip?

I set out to research whether anyone else had such a brilliant idea and found several websites that sell solar powered tents!  The Woods Solar Powered EZ-Tent has LED lights for the interior that are powered by solar panels on the top.  The panels can also power an LED flashlight, essential for checking out noises in the dark, or heading to the woods to take care of “business.”  Regardless of whether you get direct or indirect sunlight, about 6 hours outside will get you enough juice for 2-4 hours of interior lighting so you can play cards or cribbage after the sun sets.  The cost for a solar powered tent varies between $150-250.

Even if you don’t have a solar powered tent, you can still have a solar powered camping trip if you charge up your gear with solar panels as shown in this video:

Wouldn't it be nice to have a solar powered camping trip to add some heat and light?

So, I wasn’t the first to think of solar tents, or using solar power to provide energy to remote camping areas.  But what about solar powered sleeping bags?  Struck out again!  But at least I know that great minds think alike.  For only a few dollars, you can get a Mayday Solar Blanket.  This is a good investment for the trunk of your car in case of emergency.  I also discovered some sleeping bags marked as “Solar Flare,” although they do not appear to be solar powered.  They do look toasty warm (as well as fairly expensive).  My Google search turned up several U.S. Patent applications for actual solar sleeping bags that are equipped with solar panels that can help warm your frozen camping toes.  I cannot tell if there are actual products on the market yet, but I told you it was a great idea (pause for my modesty).

My next solar inspiration may strike me again over night.  I just hope that if I’m out camping with the scouts, I am nice and snuggly warm in my solar powered tent with a solar powered sleeping bag!

Tags: solar powered camping trips, solar powered sleeping bags, solar powered tents