Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
A surprising number of people have never been camping before. If you have lived your whole life in a city or far away from proper sites, then you may be included in this percentage. Thus, going camping for the first time can be a rather daunting prospect. Don’t worry, though as with these guidelines, you can ensure that your adventure is a success all the way!
Determine Your Destination
First things first, where are you planning on setting up your tents? There are a lot of long weekend camping ideas to choose from – it is simply a matter of determining what suits your preferences best of all.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to head out into the woods. Go ahead and plan a beach camping trip or go up into the mountains. You can even stay fairly close to the city if you don’t want to travel too far. There are far more options available to you than you realize – do your research and make your decision carefully.
Choose the Right Gear
Selecting gear and accessories for camping can be pretty confusing. After all, there is just so much to choose from, how can you narrow down your options? The first thing that you should do is to figure out what you actually need. This includes a tent, sleeping bag, possibly air mattress, stove, and torches and batteries.
If you are spending several days at the spot, then items like a firepit, camping tables and chairs, and similar objects may also become necessary. If you are going by car to the site then you can carry a few more items. Otherwise, make sure to narrow down the list as much as possible.
Do Basic Research
From blogs to guides, there is a lot of information available to you out there. It is a good idea to read up as much as you can. This is something that you should do even if you aren’t headed out to a remote location. The more that you know, the better that your trip will be.
In case you are planning on roughing it, you should definitely know what you are getting into. From finding water to navigating terrain and setting up a campsite in bad weather, figure out all the skills that you will need. Even if you don’t end up utilizing any of this knowledge, you will still have peace of mind.
Plan Some Activities
Don’t assume that your trip will magically unfold for you. Although setting up your campsite can take time, you are going to need to find other ways to fill your day. Read up on your site and all the things that you can do there.
Then, plan activities such as hiking, fishing, learning basic outdoor skills, etc. Don’t forget to prepare for rain and pack some boardgames or similar activities that you can try out in poor weather.
These are all the tips and tricks that you need to know about to make your trip a success. Focus on these and you should have a wonderful time!
How do I prepare for my first camping trip?
There are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your first camping trip.
First, you’ll need to choose the right location. Make sure to pick a spot that is safe and has good amenities nearby. Once you have a location in mind, start packing your gear. You’ll need a tent, sleeping bag, rechargeable power supply, and all the other basics. Don’t forget to pack food and water, too.
Finally, make sure you know how to set up your campsite before you go. Once you have all of these things taken care of, you’ll be ready for a great camping trip.
What should you not bring camping?
You might be surprised at some of the things that are actually on this list. Most people would never think to bring these items camping, but trust us – you don’t want to!
Alcohol: It might seem like a good idea to bring some booze to drink around the campfire, but it’s actually a pretty bad idea. Alcohol can impair your judgment and make it more difficult to handle potentially dangerous situations. It’s also just not very safe to drink alcohol in nature.
Illegal drugs: This one should be pretty obvious – illegal drugs are, well, illegal. But even if you’re not worried about getting caught by the authorities, drugs are a bad idea for camping. They can make it difficult to stay safe and can also be a major contributor to accidents.
Fireworks: Fireworks are fun, but they’re also incredibly dangerous. Not only can they start fires, but they can also cause serious injuries. If you want to enjoy some fireworks, save them for another time.
Pets: Pets might seem like they would be fun to bring camping, but they can actually be a major hassle. They need food and water, and they can make it difficult to enjoy nature if you’re constantly worrying about them.
Perishable food: Perishable food is another item that might seem like a good idea to bring, but it’s actually not. This type of food can spoil quickly, and it’s not worth the risk of getting sick from eating it.