Everyone should experience camping at least once in their life. There is something amazing about driving up to the campground, setting up your tent, enjoying the views and taking in the joy of living in nature. Wake up to the chirruping sounds of birds, spot local wildlife go by, collect water from the nearby stream, make breakfast over your campfire, and get ready to go hiking, biking, exploring or just lazing around reading a book all day! For first time campers, all these are mistakes that can ruin their first camping trip and put them off camping forever. To avoid such disasters, pay close attention to our top 5 first time camping tips.
First Time Camping Tips #5 – Camp Close To Home The First Few Times
First-time campers can experience a lot of anxiety, nervousness and apprehension about camping. Camping and the activities associated with it can easily overwhelm you if you are not prepared. To relieve some of the stress, it is advisable for first-time campers to camp close to home for the first few times i.e. go camping to a campsite or campground at a short driving distance from your house.
This is one of the best camping tips for first-timers since you can easily turn around and head back home if you are afraid, in need of medical attention or even craving your own bed.
First Time Camping Tips #4 – Arrive Early At The Campsite
There is nothing worse than trying to set up your tent in pitch darkness with nothing but your flashlight for illumination. So save yourself the hassles of setting up camp after nightfall and arrive early at your campsite.
If possible, one of the most advised camping tips for first-timers is to reach the campgrounds early in the morning, or as early as the campground rules permit, so that you can get the choicest spots to set up camp. Arriving early also allows you to have enough time to get the lay of the campground, meet the park rangers, and get to know your camp neighbors too!
#3 – Check Weather Conditions
One of the most common mistakes first-time campers make is ignoring weather warnings or forgetting to check the weather reports altogether. So, be a smart camper and postpone your camping trip if you know there is foul weather ahead.
Also important to note is that weather conditions can change any minute, so always be prepared for any type of situations and pack extra clothes, blankets, and waterproof bags to store dry clothes, food, etc. If you have network coverage at your campsite, check up on local weather apps from time-to-time so that you can be prepared for any sudden temperature spikes or drops.
#2 – Practice Setting Up Your Tent Beforehand
Camping is about relaxing, enjoying and being one with nature. Struggling with your tent is not what camping is all about! Save yourself the embarrassment of not knowing how to set up a tent and practice it beforehand. Experts suggest that first-timers should familiarize themselves with all their camping gear, especially their tent, before heading off to the actual campsite.
It is recommended that you practice setting up your tent in the backyard or your house or take your tent gear out to an open space and try to understand the steps required in assembling and dismantling your tent. Other correlated camping tips for first-timers are to check and see if you need to upsize your tent i.e. for a two-person camping trip, it is advisable to get a four-person tent, a six-person tent for a group of four, and so on.
#1 Socialize With Other Campers
Another brilliant piece of advice for first-time campers is to make an effort to socialize with other campers at your campground. Part of the charm of camping is mingling with other campers, sharing stories, sitting around the campfire and even enjoying some s’mores together! Plus, if your neighbors happen to be experienced campers, they can share helpful anecdotes and tips that will benefit you in your future camping trips.
There is a lot to camping than meets the eye, but that shouldn’t deter you from embarking on your first camping trip. Just keep our first time camping tips. Enjoy your trip!
