Camping For Beginners – A Beginners Guide To Camping
Are you planning to go camping for the first time? Or maybe you have had one, and the experience was not so good. Either way, I bet you realize you need a guide. Going camping can be stressful, especially if you don’t have the latest tips on camping for beginners. If you want to have a memorable and enjoyable camping experience, this guide is for you.
Do I Need A Beginners Guide To Camping?
Yes, it would help if you had a guide to make your trip a success. Or if you had previously gone on a camping weekend, this guide will improve where you went wrong. It will help you cut unnecessary costs and reduce stress.
In a nutshell, with a beginners guide to camping, you will make the most outdoor adventure. Camping does not require experience, but without a proper guide, most probably you will have a nightmare.
How To Prepare For Your First Time Camping
Here is how to prepare for your first time camping.
The Ideal Campsite
While various campsites could be within your reach, it doesn’t mean that you should hop into any campsite. You should have your requirements and select the campsite that meets them.
For instance, how safe is it? Are dogs allowed in the facility? It is also important to consider the availability of basic amenities such as toilets and showers. Accessibility is another essential point in camping tips for beginners. If you are a beginner camper, it is important to select a site that you can easily access.
Ideally, choose a campsite closer to the urban, or town so that you can easily go shopping or eat out. Thankfully, with the advance in the internet nowadays you can easily pick a campsite using google map.
2. Avoid Mistakes, Test Run And Practice Your Equipment
Camping for beginners can be a daunting experience; therefore, it is prudent to test your camping equipment in your backyard. To get the feel of camping out, you can start by sleeping in a tent for a night or two. It will also help you gauge if your equipment is adequate and the type of clothing to wear at night.
As a beginner, it is essential to practice pitching your tent at home. This will ensure that you will effortlessly put up and take down your tent and tackle any problem at home, but not at the campsite. It is a grave mistake to test gear in the campsite because it could be faulty or difficult to set up.
3. Camping Period And Time
The period to go camping is a personal decision. It depends on your experience and desires, but if you are going outdoors for the first time, keep it short and sweet. You may start with shorter stints such as weekends or overnight getaways, then build up from there.
The best time to go camping also depends on you. But there are some things that you should not ignore. The meteorologist is very important. To have the most out of the outdoor trip, plan for pleasant weather and a favorable temperature. You may not be comfortable with high temperatures, winter, or storms.
Because of wildlife behavior, certain months may not be suitable for camping for beginners. It could be breeding season for certain animals like antelopes or bears. In some months, you will see more insects and mosquitos.
Tourism season is also crucial. If you prefer a quiet camping experience, it’s best to avoid the peak season, weekends and holidays because of the many visitors at campsites.
4. Traveling To Campsite
The means of transport to the campsite cannot be ignored, either. It’s best to select campsites you will easily get to and move out of for convenience. If you are not driving yourself, select an easily reachable campsite by public means, cycling or walking.
When it comes to carrying your luggage, have a good quality backpack or panniers if you are cycling. But if you are arriving by vehicle, a duffel or big bag is okay.
5. Check Your Camping Essentials
The camping essentials significantly affect your experience; however, your camping list for beginners doesn’t have to include expensive stuff.Below are some basic camping essentials for beginners that you should take on your trip:
- Tent – a good camping tent should be lightweight, large enough, simple to pitch while providing excellent weather protection.
- Sleeping bag – while selecting a sleeping bag, consider its temperature rating, but an all weather season bag is the best.
- Sleeping mat – it is like a mattress but has higher insulation properties.
- Mobile phone with good power backup.
- Portable lighting – to save on energy, select energy-efficient type.
- Headtorch
- Water containers
- camping cooking equipment – this includes a burner stove and utensils.
- Camping clothes
- pillow
- first aid kit
- coolers – for preserving perishable goods.
- Food and drinks.
Don’t worry if you do not have enough cash for all the above essentials. By hiring or borrowing some expensive equipment {Tents, sleeping bags and mats}, you will still go for a camping trip without breaking your arm and leg.
Pack utensils and foodstuff in large transparent containers with lids for easy storage, preservation and transportation.
6. The Early The Better
It makes sense to arrive early at the campsite so that you can pitch your tent and set up your sleeping bag and mat during the daytime. You don’t have to fumble in the night setting up your camping gear.
7. Be Careful With Campfires
Outdoors, a campfire provides warmth and ambient lights. When lighting a campfire, adhere to the camp’s rules and be cautious. Light a small fire and keep it under control with boundaries or pit. Do not light a fire under overhanging foliage and always extinguish it completely before leaving the campsite.
8. It Pays To Be Safe Outdoors
There is always some danger looming outdoors, and you should take great responsibility for your safety.Here are camping for beginners safety tips to help you avoid trouble.
- Have a functional first aid kit.
- Check the weather before going camping.
- Get good quality camping gear.
- Pick a safer camping spot.
- Use mosquito repellent to prevent yourself from insect and mosquito bites.
- During hot weather, drink plenty of water, carry a wide hat and apply sunscreen.
- Be wary of wild animals.
- Cook in a well-ventilated tent.
- Always let somebody know your plans.
- Keep your mobile phone on.
9. Clothing And Toiletries
Since there would be many things to do when camping and get dirty, it is better to dress appropriately, wear loose-fitting clothes and boots but avoid cotton material. According to winter camping for beginners, wet cotton clothes will only make you cold and miserable.
Do not forget to pack your prescription medicine, painkillers, and bandages. Better still, get a fully stocked first aid kit, and bring sanitizers, soap, toilet paper and towel. It may disappoint you because the management may not provide them at the camps or run out quickly, it is better to be prepared.
10. Eat Healthily
Another camping for beginners outstanding tip is to eat healthily. Plan your meals and carry enough food. For instance, you may prepare breakfast at the camp and eat lunch and supper at nearby restaurants or hotels. But if you cook well, then you can prepare your meals at the campsite.
You can carry canned food or fresh foods, or a combination. Carry, also plenty of snacks, instant coffee or tea. Be wary of animals that hang around campsites; therefore, do not leave food or garbage outside overnight, unattended.
Anytime you are away from the campsite, store foodstuff in tightly sealed containers and keep it locked in your vehicle or food lockers. Bears, monkeys, and baboons are notorious raiders and easily steal food at campsites if not kept well.
11. Camping Etiquettes
While you are having a pleasant time at the campsite, always be mindful of the environment. Always endeavour to leave the environment better than you found it. The thumb of the rule is to respect the environment, avoid littering and leave nothing behind.
Here are camping tips for beginners etiquettes you should stick to:
- keep your surroundings clean.
- Adhere to the camp’s rules.
- Avoid making loud noises.
- Be mindful of other campers’ privacy and space.
12. After Camping, Maintain Your Camping Gear
Camping for beginners tips does not end at the campsite. Once you break camp and reach home, you still need to maintain your camping gear. At least you will save money and time on your next camping trip. Here is what you need to do:
- let the tent air and dry out in the open before storing it.
- Wash your clothes and boots.
- Clean the camping gear.
- Pack all the camping equipment.
Takeaway
Spending a night at a campsite is a memorable experience you should not miss. The stresses of first time camping may spoil a wonderful getaway, and that’s why your experience should start and end with this camping for beginners guide.
The best approach to have fun is by testing your gear, have the essentials, planning and abide by the rules.
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