If you want to have a great time outdoors camping, you need the best guide to help you prepare better. It is why some would ask the question, first time camping, what do I need? If you are a newbie to camping, that should not be a problem as we will guide you through planning and getting ready for your first camping activity in this guide.
How to Prepare for First Time Camping
Having a great time camping is awesome if you can prepare in advance. We have taken the time to develop a few tips that you need to keep in mind before heading out for the camping trip. Let us check them out below.
1. Choose the Correct Gear for Camping
First time camping, what do I need question does not have to be hard when you start with the right gear.
For beginners to camping, they might be confused about which gear to get for themselves. It is then important that you stick to the basics.
The first gear you will ever have to buy is the tent. You do not need a fancy tent. Just get a model that will be easy to set up and use.
Of course, it should be the right size when you choose the best tent. Let us say you are going camping with several friends, then consider getting a model that you will fit with so much ease.
There are many types of gear you can get for the first time camping other than tents. We will look at such types of gear in our camping checklist later in this guide.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Gear
The most common rookie mistake is using camping gear when you are already in the wild.
It can be frustrating when you find it hard to set up a tent. There are tents that the manufacturer claims that you can set them up in 20 minutes. Without preparation, you might find yourself 2 hours in the process, and still, the tent is not set up.
Take the tent into your backyard and practice how to set it up. Once you are good at setting up the tent, try out the different types of gear too.
Another thing you should try out is the sleeping bag. Try sleeping in it at home to see how comfortable it is before using it in the wild. The last thing you want is to end up being too cold in the wild because you got the wrong sleeping bag.
Check to see if the lanterns are working properly. No one wants to be in the dark while camping. As a first-timer, you might want to get some backup light sources just in case the lanterns fail.
The camp stove is another important gear to try out. It will come in handy to cook your food while in the wild.
3. Plan Your Camping Meals
It is common to find that people who ask the question, first time camping, what do I need overlooking their food needs.
Well, you might bring all the food that you need, but is it the right one for camping applications.
So, what is the best approach towards getting the right food for camping? We recommend that you consider how many meals you will eat while at the campsite, how many people will eat that food, and how much food is possible to carry.
If you plan to go with your friends, it is best to plan the meals together. Some might be allergic to some food types. As such, this is something you need to keep in mind too.
It would help if you always considered aiming for healthy options to get the right food even when having a great time outdoors.
You should also be open to different types of recipes meant for camping.
With a simple Google search about food best for camping, you are likely to come across different types of great recipes to try out. It is advisable to try out such recipes at home first before cooking them at the campsite.
4. Come Up with a Camping Checklist
If you are to travel for a vacation, it is common that you would make a checklist of the different supplies that you will need. So, under first time camping, what do I need question? You also need the best checklist for camping.
The checklist needs to be prepared with you and the other people joining you on the trip. This is to help you get all the things you need for the trip just right.
Do not worry, as there are many camping checklists samples online. You will always have the option of choosing the best checklist and tailoring it to your needs.
Having a checklist is great as you would avoid forgetting the little things. Such include matches, toilet paper, sunscreen, and more. The last thing you want is to get to the campsite and realize you do not have toilet paper.
Do not worry; the use of a list is for the first few times before you get used to camping. After a while, you will no longer need the list. You would have already memorized what you need for a camping trip to be successful.
5. Pack the Correct Clothes for Camping
Still on the first time camping what do I need question, we recommend that you get yourself the correct clothes for camping.
It is common for first-time campers to bring more clothes than they need.
Sometimes it is hard to know if it will be too hot or too cold. You will have to rely on the weather forecast of where you want to camp to choose the best clothes for the trip.
If it seems that it might rain, then bring a jacket to keep yourself warm during the rain.
Of course, the weather forecasts are not always accurate, so you need to balance the different types of clothes that you carry for the trip.
The type of weather can also influence the type of gear you get to carry to the camping area. Let us say that the area is prone to storms; then, you need a tent that can handle the stormy weather. Yes, the tents are classified differently. If you are unsure which one to buy, then go for a model that can handle the different seasons to be safe.
6. Choose A Spot Close to Home
Once you get accustomed to camping, you will have plenty of time to explore the outdoors. It is why we recommend that you start with camping sites close to home.
It is your first time in the wild, so it is great to be in an area close to home.
Another reason is that you might realize that you did not pack enough food or clothes after a day or two. At this point, it would be easier to go back home compared to if you would be camping hundreds of miles away from home.
So, take your time to check out the various camping spots in your hometown before picking the best one.
You can always rely on your friends too. They might have done camping before, and they have an idea which site would be perfect for you two to enjoy yourself.
7. Always Play by The Rules
As much as camping is supposed to be a place you feel free and wild, you still have to be respectful to the other people on the same camping ground.
Different camping grounds will have different rules. You will be given the set of rules as you get into the camping ground. The aim is to help all the campers get along great and have a good time camping.
So, what are some of the camping rules you can expect to come across? Here are a few rules that most camping grounds might need you to follow.
- Control your kids
- Always leave the campsite looking better than how you found it
- Keep it quiet during the night
- Clean after yourself always
- Do not leave the food out
- Be mindful of your butts if you are a smoker
- Pay attention to any limits within the camping ground such as bringing pets
The list of rules depends on which campsite you decide to visit.
If you can adhere to the different rules, it should be easy for you and your friends to have a great time camping.
Do not worry; the rules are simple and easy to follow. They will not curtail your fun in any way. So, go ahead and have as much as possible while camping, even if it is your first time camping.
First Time Camping Checklist
Well, at this point, the question of first-time camping what do I need feels answered for most campers. However, you still have to consider the camping checklist. This is what will determine if your experience will be great or not.
Here is a quick list of the most common camping gear you will need for the first time.
- Tents
- Sleeping bag
- Camping stove
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and water
- Matches
- Flashlights and lanterns
- Maps and compass
- Jacket
- Multipurpose knife
- And much more
The list can keep going on depending on various factors, such as how many people will be on the trip and how many days you plan on camping.
Have Fun
We believe that your first time camping what do I need is now fully answered. We recommend that you be open to new experiences. You will undoubtedly love camping if you can get yourself to the campsite fully prepared. Let our tips mentioned above guide you to picking the correct camping spot and carrying the necessary supplies for the adventure.
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