So, you’re a first time camper and you want to make sure your first trip is a success. You’ve come to the right place! Below, we have some advice for people who are in this situation and want to stay comfortable while having the best time imaginable. Read on to learn more!
Make Sure Your Tent Is Large Enough
First time campers famously buy tents that are too small. You absolutely have to make sure that your tent is big enough. You have to fit you in, your campmates (if you’re all planning on sharing), as well as your stuff (unless you’re keeping most of your stuff in your RV or campervan).
New campers often underestimate the size they really need and end up in a super crowded tent. For example, a group of two should probably have a 4 man tent, while a group of 4 people would be better off purchasing a 6 man tent. Your future self will really love your past self for taking the time to buy a tent that’s the right size!
Get To Grips With Your Gear
Don’t wait until you’re on the campground to actually get to grips with your gear. You’ll have a nightmare. You don’t want to spend a ridiculous number of hours attempting to put up your tent, so try setting it up in your garden first. You’ll be really pleased you did this. If you’re pretty sure you’re going to be camping regularly, then by all means buy your gear outright. However, you could potentially save money by renting or borrowing big ticket gear, do that instead to see how you feel after your first trip. There are a few pieces that will likely benefit you regardless, such as the Zero Tolerance knives for sale. Having an everyday carry knife can help in numerous situations, not just camping.
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Make A Camping Checklist
It’s too easy to forget some of the essentials when camping - you need a lot of stuff if you’re going to do it properly and stay comfortable. With a great checklist you can ensure you take everything you need, and don’t forget anything on the way back either. All smart campers use checklists!
Get To The Campground Early On
As a new camper, you’ll be largely unfamiliar with camp site rules and etiquette. Arriving early means you can get a great spot, set your tent up in peace, and then get to grips with how you’re supposed to behave at this campsite. You’ll want plenty of time to get to know the campsite layout during day time, too - don’t kid yourself into believing you can do it when it’s dark. You’ll just annoy your fellow campers and won’t set a very good impression upon arrival.
As well as this, make sure you set up your tent when it’s light (not just for your sake, but for your fellow camper’s sakes). It can be really exciting and you probably want to go and explore, but get the important stuff done first.
Plan Your Meals
You can make things so much easier by planning your meals in advance. You can chop up things like veg and meat, marinate them, and keep them in ziploc bags. For this, one of the greatest things you’ll invest in is a great cooler. You don’t want your food to spoil. Planning your meals in advance will ensure you have plenty of good grub to feed your group and you aren't just left with snacks like chips that won’t really fill you up! Treat this as a priority.
Take The Right Clothing
Camping for the first time means going shopping to make sure you have the right clothing, too. Many new campers fail to take enough clothing with them, and end up too cold or uncomfortable during their trip. You want to head to a great store and ensure you have things like quick drying items and sweat wicking items. A rain suit, a swimsuit, light jackets, layers, thermal underwear, and more. Make sure you’re prepared for various weather scenarios!
Camp Close To Home
Rather than travelling far and wide for your very first camping trip, consider going somewhere close to home. When you do this, you’ll have peace of mind as you know you can just nip home in case of an emergency or if you’ve forgotten something. You can then learn from your first trip and travel further afield on your next one. It’s also worth mentioning that although camping can be fantastic, it’s not for everybody. You might realize a day or two in that you’re just not cut out for camping. You can keep your options open and bail if problems do arise when you decide to stay close to home.
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Keep An Eye On The Weather Forecast
Don’t make the biggest mistake of your life and ignore the weather forecast. It’s easy to do, but you’ll curse yourself once you arrive if extreme weather conditions make themselves known. There’s no shame in bailing on your trip if the weather forecast just isn’t great. You’re not going to get a very good first impression of camping if you attempt to set up your tent and camp in torrential rain! Everything will be soggy, you’ll feel wet to the bone, and it will be a struggle to enjoy yourself. Make sure you know what the weather is going to be like leading up to your trip and you’ll have a much better time. It’s worth noting that good tents can withstand a little rain, and a small amount shouldn’t necessarily put you off your trip. However, if there’s set to be numerous downpours, you should probably reschedule.
Being a first time camper is great, because you get to experience the joys and excitement of camping for the first time. Many people fall in love with camping and do it a number of times a year, which allows them to get back in touch with nature and themselves. Have fun!
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