Camping amid the nature and wilderness with a relaxing and unwinding time around your family is the idea for most families during summers. Summer brings with it the joy and pleasure of exploring the outdoors with bountiful sunshine and a conducive weather. And this is what that keeps us through the shilling and snowy winter months of cabin fever. So here comes some tips for the first timers in the world of camping. Be sure to check all necessary things for camping and make your camping for beginners checklist.
Camping advice for first timers:
While every camping trip you take brings you closer to deeper understanding of the tools of trade but there are a few camping advice for first timers. You ought to accomplish them to have a successful camping endeavor. As camp sites are a few hundred miles away from your home and there is not much you can do if you missed on any of these important supplies. Or if luck favors you get a store around where you can buy them but why having to shell out extra when you can prepare it all before hand
So all your worries on what supplies do I need for camping are take care of below. Just begin planning and organizing at least a few weeks ahead of your camping day. You need to look through it all at least twice to not miss the important supplies. Some camping tips for the first timers include:
1- Know all about camping gears specially the ones you would use:
Most first time camper wait until they reach the camp site to read the instructions on how to install the tent or other gears. It not just consumes your precious hours at the camp site but also spoils the mood too. If you could practice it all while at home and seek suggestions from family and friends to easier ways of doing it, things would get better at the camp site. Also use these sleeping supplies at home at least one night to get a hang of it, maybe you need some more in terms inflatable sleeping bags or pillows to put yourself to sleep.
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2- Don’t spend too much on classy camp set up:
The first timers just don’t know whether or not it becomes an activity every summers or its just once and for all. So do not spend a fortune on arranging all those fancy supplies for your camping set up. Best is to borrow or rent it out since its your first time and maybe you dislike these and come up with other alternatives for further camping expeditions. So its better to keep a budget when heading towards your first camping trip
3- Buy a bigger tent and you will thank us for this advice:
Even if you think you need a smaller tent, trust us when we say, buy a bigger tent. You never know how much space is enough and its all the more creepy to sleep just one onto the other, after the hectic schedule of the day at camp site you would need some privacy and space. So buy or rent a tent which is bigger than what you think is sufficient.
4- Make a checklist:
Organize the items you would need by separating a box from at least 15 days prior to heading towards your camp. You may think of many items randomly during the last few days and with a box set you are less likely to forget once you keep them in. Begin with pantry and food supplies, insect repellents, camp gears, utensils, games and activities, cosmetics and sun protection, weather wise outfits and be sure to pack for unforeseen weather outrage.
5- Arrive early at the campsite:
You don’t want to miss the perfect camping spot just because you came in a little late. After all that preparation all you need is to begin early. And for your first time camping experience you may need a lot more time to decide which is your spot for the few days off at camp site. Also you may not be aware of campsite rules and amenities when on your first camping expedition. So reaching early will help in knowing it all in time.
[Read: Tips for camping with toddlers and baby]
6- Meals must be planned well:
Its never easy to find delivery around camp sites and even if there are pizza parlors there’s no guarantee they deliver at the camp site. You must be able to visualize meal preparation at week ahead when at home. Then begin packing everything you could need for preparing food at campsite. Specially food can make the camping experience bitter if it is not planned well. Start by writing the meals you would need say for each day you will need 3 full meals and 2-3 snacks. Lunch and dinner must be prepared fresh and rest you can have fruits and vegetables in addition to crackers, chips, peanut butter, tortillas and more such. Pack ample of these as it may not be possible to find them at camp site
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7- Check camp ground rules and amenities online:
You may have some food supplies or more at camp site so its better to check all rules before hand. Some camp sites have rules for cooking as they may be prone to bear attacks so littering around late at night will be dangerous. Read it all and be prepared. Also check the nearest hospital and pharmacy and put it all in your phone and GPS for any contingency if at all it occurs.
8- Bring ample clothes and all weather items:
Though its a summer camping expedition but you must be prepared with wind breaker, rain jacket, shrug, blankets and more supplies as you don’t know how the weather turns out
[Read: Confessions of a first time camp mom]
9- First timers must pick a camp location closer to home:
Best tip for first timers in camping is, pick a camp location less than 200 miles from home as its easier to head back if things go awry. You may also forget important things so a trip for 2.5 hours to and fro wont cost much and you can make the camping trip a memorable one too
10- Stay hydrated and keep your campsite clean:
It is very important to pack ample fluids and stay hydrated as camping trips can be tiring and painful. You must consume at least twice the water you would otherwise and drink less of caffeine but more of sugar free drinks. Keeping camp site clean not just adds up the experience by making it a pleasant one but also dirty dishes, leftover food littering around and bad odor not just attracts animals and insects but also can be dangerous.
Camping for beginners checklist:
Wondering what supplies do I need for camping, well here is a generalized checklist for your first time camping experience. Keep adding more and more as you would have specific needs for your family.
1- Campsite gears- tent, pol, stakes and more tools to set it up
2- Medical supplies
3- Tent footprint to cover the ground
4- Pantry and food preparation supplies
5- Sleeping bags
6- Extra tarpin and canopy
7- Chairs
8- Blankets and pillows with extra of each
9- All weather and ample clothes
10- Toiletries
11- Camera
12- Games and activities
13- Books to read
14- Hammock
15- Hats, sunblock, bug repellent and more supplies
16- Fuel for fire
17- Utensils to cook and eat
18- Washing and drying supplies
19- Flash lights
20- Kid and pet supplies if there are any accompanying
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The above compilation on 10 Tips for first time campers is to help all the beginners in camping plan and work out their memorable expedition in a structured and organized way. For all you know, camping is not just fun but also truly enchanting and you don’t want to miss for the simple mistakes you did while planning.
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