From the first time I went on camping back in high school days, I realized how much fewer people plan for camping versus how much more needs to be done. And if you are already feeling very excited about your next camping (maybe your first time too), this guide to camping will be extremely helpful.
There is a lot to prepare for when you are going out for a camp, or if you are ever going to leave your home and spend more than a day outside. The thought alone can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You are worried about what you need to carry and what you have to leave behind. You are worried about which destination to visit and you’d get there, among other things.
But not to worry, I will provide you with a very simplistic guide in this beginner’s guide to camping. You will also see some essential tips and tricks to make your camping adventure a memorable and enjoyable one. So let’s get started on your journey to becoming a fully-prepared camper.
First things first…
Guides to Camping: Steps Before Setting Out
The initial things to consider when planning a camping trip include choosing the right campsite that will satisfy your camping desires, selecting and packing the necessary equipment and materials, and then setting up your tent when you get to your camping destination.
Before you do all these, you should have determined the number of days you would spend at the camp and factor it into your planning.
1. Choosing the right campsite
Choosing the right campsite is one of the most important steps in planning a successful camping trip. You want to consider the proximity to amenities in case you might need some, safety, weather conditions, terrain, etcetera when choosing a campsite.
When choosing your campsite, you should make sure it has easy access to potable water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. In terms of safety, you should ensure there are no dangerous animals in the area. If it is a remote area, ensure that security personnel frequently visit to check the safety of people in the area.
You need to ensure that the weather is friendly during that time of the year and also provide adequate shelter materials from potential bad weather.
2. Packing the necessary equipment
When packing for a camping trip, it is important to take into account the type and climate of the location you are visiting. Depending on the season and geography of your destination, you might need different types of clothing and equipment from the ones you intended.
For example, if you are going on your camping trip during winter, warm layered clothes and blankets would be very required. You also need waterproof outer wears, and extra blankets to stay warm all night.
Clothes and blankets are not the only materials you need to carry along on your camping trip. Other materials and equipment you would need are as follows:
- A warm hat.
- Sunscreen, for summer trips.
- Waterproof clothing.
- Insect repellent.
- A first aid kit.
- Lighting source.
- Electricity source.
- Phone charger.
- Headphones.
- Foldable mattress, pillows.
- Toilet papers.
- Buckets, plates, and fire.
- Extra underwear, and clothes.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Food and cooking supplies for the entire period, including snacks and utensils.
- Storage equipment.
- Shelter for your dog or pet.
This is a basic list of the equipment you may need during your camping trip. As little as some of them may seem, leaving them behind can make your camping experience less interesting than you want it to be. Whether you are going with a tent or a campervan, you should make sure there is enough room in your vehicle or tent for your equipment, otherwise, you should look for smaller options, foldable or adjustable equipment.
When it comes to preparing your camping equipment, there is nothing wrong with being over-prepared. In short, it is better to be over-prepared than underprepared. You may not know for sure what you need until you get there, but as you go camping more frequently, you will know exactly what you might need from what you will not.
Guides to Camping: Tips at the Campsite
When you arrive at your chosen destination, here are some tips you need to keep at your fingertips.
3. Setting up your tent
Setting up your tent should be one of the least stressful things to do after you arrive at your camping destination, but there are a few things to still look out for.
Ensure you have plenty of open space for setting up your tent or campervan. Once that is done, you can set up your tent.
When setting up your tent, you should ensure that the tent is positioned on a flat level surface so that you can have a good and comfortable sleeping experience when you lie down to sleep later in the night. Also, avoid low-lying areas that may collect water during rainstorms.
To ensure a successful experience, make sure that all the pieces are correctly connected and secured with guy ropes. It is important to stake down the corners of your tent and make sure the structure is taut before you begin to fill it with your belongings
Check for any debris such as stones, sharp objects, or tree branches that may damage the tent fabric as this can potentially expose you to the weather and insects when you lie inside your tent.
Again, it is important to orient the entrance of your tent away from the prevailing wind to reduce exposure to strong gusts and smells.
SUV tents are a great option for campers seeking an all-in-one camping experience. They provide an easy-to-set-up shelter that is both spacious and comfortable, perfect for couples or small groups of friends.
SUV tents come with an integrated frame that attaches securely to the vehicle’s cargo area, providing a large, waterproof shelter for sleeping and living. They also come with privacy panels that can enclose the interior of the tent for added protection from the elements.
4. Camping cooking tips and trick
After a restful sleep in your camping tent, you definitely look forward to another brand-new day, right? Every new day comes with a new requirement to feed. That means you not only need food supplies, but you also need to be well knowledgeable on how to prepare food during outdoor camping trips.
When camping outdoors, you need a reliable and safe cooking setup, one that will not fail you when you urgently need to eat. This is the right time to deploy your kitchen utensils and wares, ingredients, and foodstuff you packed. Because kitchen equipment can be many, you would have preferentially brought lightweight and easy-to-transport equipment.
A good quality camping stove is essential for warm meals, while an open fire is a perfect choice for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, and steak. Make sure to plan ahead and bring enough ingredients to last your entire trip, as spices and condiments you might need, as well as a means to store them.
Hunting for a game is a great way to have fun during your camping adventure. Be sure to pack in hunting tools and equipment if you desire to go camp-hunting.
5. Campfire entertainment
You definitely do not plan to go camping alone. I know you got company. Entertainment is one thing you need to plan for when going camping.
Campfire entertainment just before going to bed is a great way to pass the time after a full day of adventure. You could sing around the fire, play classic campfire games like charades, tell bedtime stories to each other, dance to songs you know, or make up new songs altogether.
If you or anyone play an instrument, that can add to the fun at the bonfire while one of you sings to the acoustic.
When you are back in the tent, you can still plug in your earphones and listen to music or watch a movie. Also, ensure that you have a good source of electricity to power your devices and gadgets.
6. Cleaning and washing up
It is important you arrive at your camping destination in daylight so you can quickly set up your tent and scout around the area for other basic things you might need. Siting your tent not too far from a stream or clean lake will afford you the opportunity to get water easily the next morning.
Clean up the camping area each morning as long as you are still there, and after a successful camping trip, ensure to leave the site as pristine as it was before you packed in. Properly dispose of any waste you may have created and eliminate any exposed fire sources. Leave nothing behind apart from traces of your great memories.
Other Essential Safety Precautions
When camping outdoors, safety should always be a top priority. You don’t want to return from camping sustaining injuries or incurring losses. These are some safety precautions you should adhere to if you want your camping trip to go very well without any problems.
- Before departing, research the local conditions of the campsite to ensure that you are familiar with any potential hazards.
- Check for any fire or hunting restrictions in the area and always keep an eye out for dangerous wildlife.
- Never leave food or garbage unprotected as this can attract dangerous animals.
- Always inform someone of your whereabouts and expected return date before setting off on a camping trip.
- While in the camp, always inform your partners or family members who are present with you, of your whereabouts within the campsite.
- Don’t forget to get some duct tape. It will come in handy when you need to mend a tear in your tent, seal open food bags, repair your broken glasses, cover a blister, or repair a leaking water bottle.
- Never cook inside your tent.
- Cover your body with adequate clothing to prevent catching a serious cold.
- Go with a dog if you have one. Your dog can be helpful in hunting, as well as detecting other important things that might go unnoticed.
- Avoid pitching your tent under a tree to avoid being hit by falling branches.
Final Word
Camping is a great way to connect with nature, relax and have some fun. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous escape or just want to spend some quality time outdoors with friends, there are plenty of activities that can make your camping experience truly special.
With the right preparation and safety precautions in place, it’s easy to create lasting memories while exploring the wonders of nature. You should also remember that the camping experience requires you to be extremely creative. Not everything would be available for you, but your ingenuity will make you find an alternative to everything you don’t have.
Despite the numerous unforeseen challenges in camping, this beginner’s guide to camping equips you with some of the basic essential tips and tricks to know to make your next camping adventure the most beautiful camping trip you have ever had.
