Camping for the first time? Wondering how to go camping? When the experience is going to be entirely new, things can get a bit scary.
But don’t intimidate yourself. If you think you can enjoy camping, then it should be simple for you. That said, it can also be highly affordable and the fun that comes with it is just unbelievable and too much of it.
Still, if you have your concerns, which you should since its your first time, we have prepared a guide for you. This guide will help first time campers make the most of their experience and hopefully, they will plan again and again.
Table of Contents
Camping For Beginners
There is a lot to know and learn. But in this piece, we’ve covered it all, mostly. If you follow the tips given here, you’ll for sure end up being a happy camper.
We were beginners at one point. But look at us now, pro campers sharing viable piece of information with our fellow campers who have no clue about it. You only learn with time and practice.
In saying that, we need you to know that its not a bad thing leaning the hard way. remember, even most experienced campers can overlook some really important aspects and they also end up sharing funny anecdotes with their fellow comrades.
Let’s not keep you waiting any further to know how to go camping. Read to learn all about the best tips for camping for newbies.
You Need To Be Familiar With Your Camping Gear
One of the most common mistake campers make from time to time if getting them familiar with their gear they’re taking with them camping.
Only when they’re in the camping field do they try out their gear, and that too for the first time. The sight of newbies fumbling for hours in hopes of figuring our the easily way to pitch their tent can sometimes be amusing, and not a very uncommon one too for that.
Before you go camping, its best you try to pitch the tent the backyard a few times. Also, check out all the gear at least once and give it a try or two to be familiar enough.
This will also ensure all the gear like stoves and lanterns are working fine.
You can also sleep in the sleeping bag a few days before your trip to know how it feels sleeping in the gear. Smart camping means you have idea about all your gear and how to make use of it.
Buying The Appropriate Size Of Tent
When it was my first time camping with the gang, we were all over each other. Wanna know why? Because we didn’t have the right size of tent.
We had a tent that was big enough for 4 and we were a total of 6 people. Believe you me, we were so jam-packed inside the tent that it was really hard for us to sleep at all.
We barely made it to the entire trip and had to call it off because of the small sized tent that wasn’t big enough for all.
Don’t worry about the weight and size of the tent. These are packed to fit in the car trunk easily. But buying the right tent for the right number of people is important.
If you’re a couple camping, a camping gear for two is enough but if you are a larger family, go for the ones that will be able to house you all.
Remember this simple the rule of thumb, the many number of people, buy a tent based on that. Don’t worry, the choices and sizes are just countless.
Camping Checklist:
Newbie campers don’t even think of making a checklist. They overlook this crucial fact as a result of which they end up missing out on some very important things.
Just think for a while that you’re at the campground and while going through your gear you suddenly realize, you’ve forgotten something. Jeez! That doesn’t sound fun at all.
To be as much organized and ensuring that you don’t forget anything back home, you need to make a checklist.
Use this list while doing everything from packing to organizing every necessary item you need. Once you’ve completed a task, check it off the list.
But remember, once it not enough. Revise the list a couple times to be certain that nothing is overlooked. This way you will have ample of time to replace something that breaks or has worn out.
Smart camping implies using a checklist all the time, even when you’re really good at it.
How To Go Camping – A Video Guide
Getting To The Camp Site Early
Since you’re new to camping, its pretty obvious that you’ll have no clue about the campground’s surroundings, rules and amenities.
If you think about it, how can you know? Isn’t this your first time?
To make sure you get yourself familiar with the terrine, the layout and surroundings, you reach the camp field a little sooner and get acquainted.
There’s another important factor you need to keep in mind. That is to pitch the tent in broad daylight. This will not only make your neighbors happy but you will also be able to pitch the tent correctly.
It’s a very noisy task pitching the tent and if you do it at night, well you know what you’re in for.
Another good thing about doing it in the day is you’ll be able to see what you’re doing and how.
Smart camping means you doing all the right things like getting early for better acquaintance.
Meal Planning
We know that newbie will never give enough thought to meals for camping. Another big mistake they’re making.
You simply cannot go grocery shopping from the camp site. You need to figure this out prior to going there.
Plan through enough. How many people are going? How much you think you need for cooking? What do you plan to cook? Plan all these things before.
Bring together a menu for the trip. Go shopping only a day or two before the trip to keep the food items as fresh. Shopping a couple days before will also allow you to have enough time to add in something or just scrap it out.
Avoid shopping for grocery on your way. Also, don’t go for munchies.
Planning meals ahead of time means you’re camping smart.
Know The Camping Rule To Observe Them
You should know when you’re out in the open and you have other campers nearby, there is no concept of privacy left there and then. In a scenario like this sound travels like speed. Whispers can easily be heard too.
Now with this in mind, just imagine you and the gang making such a racket that people nearby are deprived of a good sleep.
Do you want to be that camper? No, right! Its best you observe the quite hours so it doesn’t bother anyone else.
Also, you need to respect other campers and their space by not just walking though their camp site. Go around it if you have to.
Know RV Reversing In Advance
Its best you learn how to reverse the RV prior to reaching the camp site. Backing an RV can be real tricky business.
You don’t want others to make fun of you while you back your RV and it’s a complete mess. Make sure you do it a few times at home to be able to do it good at the site.
Enough Clothes For The Camping Trip
You need to be prepared for anything and everything. From bad weathers to food shortage to running it a wide animal, you need to be prepared.
When it comes down to bad weather like heavy rains or a frosty night, its best you have sufficient clothes meant for the unforeseen.
Moreover, you can’t simply sit there washing all the dirty clothes. You didn’t go all the way up there for that.
You need to have suitable attire. If you want to dip, there should be a swimsuit; if there’s rain, you should have something to cover that up; if its cold, bring a jacket or hoodie.
In other words, just be prepared and have all the essential clothes that you think will be beneficial for you and can come to use.
Avoid Foul Weather Camping
Camping outdoor means enjoy the wide and open; enjoying nature at its best. But it won’t be any fun if it constantly rains through your trip.
Make sure you have a clear weather for your camping days. Stay up to date on the weather report. Its best to know when rain or heavy winds are expected to avoid making a plan in those days.
Don’t Camp Too Far
Since its your first time camping, you should try to camp near your home. Don’t pick a far off location.
Maybe the first couple nights sleeping on the ground may make you realize camping is not meant for you. You might want to call it off and head home.
But if you’re camping site is far away from the house, you will keep having second thoughts. You didn’t travel all the way far away just to head back home after a couple days.
Even if you do stay back, it will take all the fun away. You won’t be able to sleep properly; you might be interested in doing anything. Don’t spoil your trip. Just stay near so if anything were to happen, you can easily come back.
Final Thoughts
If you are a smart camper, no matter its your first or thousand trip, you will keep consideration of all these factors.
That said, we have shared all the best tips how to go camping. Now make the most of your trip. Happy Camping!
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