Camping Tips. Top Ten Camping Tips For Beginners
Camping can be lots of fun, but sometimes it does take a bit of planning and preparation. So here are some top ten camping tips for beginners.
1. Safe camping. Camp first in the back yard.
If you are a beginner to camping, practice setting up the tent in the back yard first.
This is an easy controlled way of testing out if you like camping. Also if the weather gets bad, or you forget something, you are only a few step from the house.
For children this is a good way to slowly introduce the children to camping.
2. Practice first putting up tent.
If this is your first time with a new tent, or if you are a beginner to camping, practice putting up the tent.
This way you can see how easy, or how hard the tent is to set up. Also what steps it takes and roughly how long it takes to set up.
By setting up the tent before you go away camping, you can also check all the items are there. Such as poles, guy lines, tent stakes are not missing. Also you can check that the zippers are working properly and the tent has no rips in it.
3. Pack these important camping items last.
When you are packing your camping equipment, pack the chairs last. The reason why is, when you reach your camping site, you can pull them out easily first.
Now you have a place to put the items on, when you unpack. Instead of the dirty or wet ground.
Another item to put in last, is your waterproof jacket and coats. If you arrive at the site and it’s raining, you can easily access your coat. If it was the first thing packed in the trunk, or very back of the vehicle, you would have to get everything out first and the items would get wet.
The other item you should pack last is some lighting. Headlamps and flashlights should be packed somewhere for easy access. Have a couple of lighting sources handy, in case one fails. Check and replace the batteries before you go camping.
You might even place the headlamps in the glove box, for easy access.
4. Pack the tent second last.
After you get the chairs out, the tent should be the next item out for easy access.
If you get to the camping site late, you don’t want to be searching through the car, getting everything out before finding the tent.
5. Freeze the water.
When camping you can go through a lot of water very quickly, so it pays to take extra water. But how do you do that?
One easy camping hack is to use water bottles, like the ones you buy from the grocery store. Put these in your freezer, a few days before you go camping.
Now you have ice to put in the cooler box and keep your food cold.
These ice block bottles, can also be used to drink. This is a good camping tip, if it is very hot where you are going.
Also these ice containers, will stay frozen a lot longer than frozen bags of ice.
6. Camping tips for winter and cold nights.
Having the correct rating temperature sleeping bag is very important. But sometimes for the extra chilly nights, or perhaps it is the winter season, it can get a bit cold at night when sleeping. So here are some quick camping tips for winter nights and the cold.
Wearing gloves, fresh warm socks and a beanie will help a lot with extra warmth. A fresh dry set of thermal pants and top will assist as well.
When sleeping, have an extra layer of clothing close buy. So if you are cold during the night you can put the clothing on to keep warmer.
For extra cold areas, a quality sleeping bag liner will boost the warmth of your sleeping bag.
Other tips are to make sure you are using a sleeping pad or matt. Sleeping only on the tent floor will and cold ground will sap the heat from the body very quickly.
What are the best sleeping mats? Some popular ones and the best sleeping pads are the: Klymit Static V2 sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping mat, NEMO Switchback, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad, and the Sea to Summit SI sleeping mat.
7. Tips for camping with kids.
Camping with children can be a great adventure, however, depending on their age it can be demanding. Here are a few things to do and bring, that can make camping life easier.
Get the children involved with planning the camping meals before you go. So they have something they like to eat. When camping, get them involved in helping prepare the meals.
Look at the stars and try to name them.
Try some navigation with a map and compass. Just don’t go too far.
Make a rope bridge between two sturdy trees.
Go fishing with the children.
Ensure you have the correct phone charger lead, or iPod lead for the child’s device or phone. (I know we should try and get the children away from staring at the screen, but the device might be for a backup plan in case it is raining a screen.) Remember the phone / battery charger.
Go hiking.
Try archery with the kids.
If you have room, take the mountain bikes.
Take the binoculars and see how many birds the children can spot.
Compete and see how much firewood they can collect in a certain time. (Being careful of stinging insects, or snakes if they are about when picking up fire wood.)
If the child is mature enough, get him or her involved in preparing and lighting the campfire safely.
Pack the board games.
Read a book to them before bed time.
Cook some marshmallows.
8. Camping tips. Have a camping checklist.
The question, “What should I bring camping?” pops up a lot when I talk with people about camping tips and the outdoors. So one way to make sure they bring what is important or essential is, a camping checklist.
This checklist can be personalized to you, but will generally include: Tent, poles, guy lines, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, camping chairs, headlamps / flashlights, shovel, Jerry can of water, drink bottle, first aid kit, food, toilet paper, extra clothing, dry bags, etc.
This is not a comprehensive camping checklist, but you might have something similar.
You might even have a, camping with kid’s checklist as well. To make sure the children remember to pack and bring what is important for them.
9. Easy camping meals.
Easy camping meals when out exploring the outdoors make life more stress-free. They can save you time and effort.
When camping you probably won’t have one hundred and one cooking utensils and ingredients. So you need meals that are simple to prepare.
Some quick and easy camping meals are: Ramen noodles, instant pasta, quick rice, like chicken rice. Canned food like, baked beans, stews, and soups keep well and are easy to cook when camping.
Also dehydrated and freeze dried meals, like the camping shops and REI supply are quick to make. Brands like Mountain house have plenty of variety for all tastes.
Easy camping foods and items to take could be: Long life milk, cereal, fruit, pocket breads, pia breads or wraps.
Oats are great to take because you can have them hot or cold. Ad berries or apples, banana to them. Plus Oats are very filling and healthy.
Camping tip. If you freeze the meat, this can help keep other food cold as well in the chiller, or cool box. By the time you get to the camping spot, it might nearly be thawed out for dinner.
Remember the fruit and snacks. Trail mix, beef or venison jerky and some energy bars go well when camping or hiking.
10. Bring the duct tape.
Cable ties, plastic bags, duct tape and extra rope is always handy. In case you have to fix something.
A multi tool, or Leatherman tool, knife, shovel, tarp and hatchet, are handy items to have camping as well.
With the above tools and camping equipment, there isn’t too many things you can’t make, repair or modify for some camping hacks.
Conclusion – Camping tips.
Camping can be challenging and maybe even intimidating if you are a beginner.
So a little bit of planning, the right equipment and a bit of practice with the gear, camping be a great adventure. Or a relaxing way to spend the weekend.
We hope you have enjoyed these tips and have fun when camping.
Additional resources and tips.
Best Apps For Camping And Hiking
