Camping Guide for Beginners
Camping is real fun as it throws ample opportunities to haul with close acquaintances along with long hikes, campfire dinner and extreme relaxation. Taking a day off from the regular schedules of work and relaxing in the wild is everybody’s aspiration. What fun would it be to pitch a tent in the meadows of a high valley surrounded by greens and mountains and enjoy a sip a drink with your close buddies?
But camping is not just choosing a site and setting a tent, it is not that easy as it sounds. It deserves considerable precautions and preparation to enjoy the trip to the fullest. Most of the youngsters are wedded to their jobs and their electronic counterparts. They need to include such camping trips in their holiday list for it is the best antidote for all the stress their job renders. Let us discuss on how to prepare for the camp, what gear to pack and some common errors to avoid during camping.
- Pre-requisites for Novice campers
- Choosing the Campsite
- Basic Camping Gear to Pack
- Tent Essentials
- Some Common mistakes to avoid
- Observe campsite rules
- Packing enough and right food
- Final words:
Pre-requisites for Novice campers:
Beginners should start their camping journeys by choosing a location close to civilization and their dwelling. A considerable amount of research goes in to exploring the venue and the leveraging on the best time of the year for camping. Novice campers have to review the standing policies of the camping site. Especially protocols relevant to children, pets and also on the stay duration. Precautions should be taken in including health relevant information of all camping members, their medicines and standing orders if any from medical practitioners. Checking the weather forecast is mandatory to avoid extremes of conditions while camping.
Choosing the Campsite
There is a distinct array of campsites available for novice campers. Before choosing a site, the camper has to consider if the place is safe. Scrutinize the space for some basic facilities such as assess to shower and toilets etc. Beginners should choose a site with excellent facilities, close to a town. This leaves them with options to buy supplies and food when needed.
Basic Camping Gear to Pack
Lighting:
One important gear that needs a place in the backpack is the light. Novice campers can pack two or three battery powered lanterns and flashlights with additional batteries. Lanterns that can hang upside down inside the tent are highly beneficial as it illuminates the entire space. Flashlights should be kept close to the bed at night. Rechargeable lanterns are of high demands with campers of recent times.
Hiking Sticks:
Camping on high terrains demands tough hiking for a considerable distance. A hiking stick comes handy for beginners to ascend steep grades. Lightweight collapsible metal alloy hiking sticks are available online and are easy to pack for camps too. It will be a good idea to make one’s own stick with a slender tree in the woods as well.
Fire Starters:
Some campers prefer gas filled stoves to cook in the camp site, but it could be heavy on the backpack for novice campers. There are always enough twigs and dry leaves at the campsite to start a campfire. Some homemade fire starters such as newspapers and hemp ropes are a must in the backpack. They help with instant fire cooking along with long handle utensils.
Duct Tape:
Duct tapes are miracle camping tools and a roll or two should always be kept handy. The duct tapes are useful to mend rips in the tent, mend clothes and also shoes. They behave as excellent wraps around injuries and sprains as well as a splint.
Trash Bags:
Trash bags helps in preserving the integrity of the camping site. They are useful to collect all trash, keep equipment dry. When not in use the bags can also transform into a rain guard. Food and garbage can be hung from tree branches to avoid animal attention.
Tent Essentials
Camping tents have come readymade these days and are available in different sizes and shapes to choose from. Ideally tents should be one or two sizes bigger than the number of people using it, so that there is enough room for additional gear. Larger tents also have extra sleeping space for comfort.
New campers should be proficient with tent pitching so as to solve any problems in the campsite instantly. While pitching up the tent, it is important to choose a plain ground free of debris with equal levelling so that it doesn’t damage the tent.
Even during summer months, sleeping bags are mandatory as there are chances for the temperature to drop at night. But they occupy additional space in the tent and make it a big congested.
Some Common Mistakes to Avoid:
The following is a brief compilation of common errors performed by campers. This would help beginners to prepare for all their camping trips and to enjoy their outdoor adventure to the fullest.
Managing food waste and trash:
It is important to keep trash and food contained so that it doesn’t attract wild animals such as raccoons. They can easily sniff and reach the campsite posing life-threatening threats to the camper. Food should be kept in air-tight containers and not brought inside the tent. Heavy duty garbage bags are an essential ingredient of the backpack and can be hanged from a tree branch.
Batteries:
Though every camper will bring flashlights with new batteries for the camping trip, it is a good idea to store spares in a waterproof container for radios and lanterns. Every camper should have a flashlight for self and two lanterns, one inside the tent and one outside the camp site. Cell phones, tablets and other gadgets should have a full charge before leaving home. Battery operated chargers for electronics are other alternatives.
First Aid kit:
First aid kit is of top priority to treat emergencies during camp outs. Items like gauze, bandage, antiseptic ointments, adhesive tapes, insect repellents and basic medications should be placed in the kit. Having trained in basic cardiac life support is an added advantage for beginners.
Packing enough and right food:
Taking plenty of food for the camping is a top priority as it demands a lot of physical activity. Food is the fuel for the body to function promptly during activities that consume a lot of calories. The rule is to pack 1.5 pounds or more food for each person per day, depending on the level of activity and a gallon of water a day. Camping food should compose predominantly of protein for energy without bloating.
Initiating Fire:
We have to store matches for a campout in a watertight container along with newspaper bundles and dry sticks for kindling. The best way to be sure of fire is to take one’s own wood rather than relying on woods in the wild for fire.
Clothing:
Rain gear is a must to pack for camping. A coat with hoot that fits on everything with boots is mandatory to protect from rain. Additional pair of socks, towels to dry self after drenching in the rain is all mandatory in the backpack. Waterproof sneakers and hiking boots can also be footwear of choice for all camping trips. Additional set of clothing that is climate specific should be kept handy to keep the camper comfortable in all weather.
Observe Campsite Rules:
Beginners should practice camping in campsites that are closer to their house location. Campsites lay a number of rules to retain the purity of rules toe such rule is observing silence and respect the private space of the fellow campers. One noisy campsite can keep a number of fellow campers in the adjacent site from a good night’s sleep. It is also important to respect the space that others have chosen and not to occupy the same. A smart camper always observes campsite rules.
Final Words:
Camping is real fun when promptly planned and executed, especially for novice campers. There are a number of good things about camping to recollect and rejoice. Preparing oneself will alone offer a number of cherishing memories about the trip. We hope that our guide on camping for beginners would help you stay prepared for the worst while exploring the wild backcountry.
