Camping offers a great chance to strengthen relationships with family and friends. The experience of sleeping outdoors, embraced by nature under the twinkling stars, holds a special and undeniable appeal.
Camping can be romantic, fun, relaxing, and an adventure all at the same time. Whether you are a novice or advanced camper, there are some basics that every camper should know.
How to camp like a pro starts with choosing your camping location, organizing your gear, setting up your camp site, staying comfortable and safe, and finally breaking down your camp to pack up in the morning. This article will go into detail on all of these points.
Camping can mean different things to different people. For some people, camping just means sleeping out under the stars with just a blanket or sleeping bag– no tents! For others, it means having a fully set up camp with multiple tents and maybe even a fire pit.
Pack your camping gear
Once you have decided what kind of camping you will be doing, whether it be car camping, backpacking, or somewhere in between, pack your gear.
Car campers should pack all of their gear in the trunk and in the cabin of the car. Make sure to have a tarp or tent cover in case of rain!
Backpackers should weigh their backpack and make sure to include essentials such as water and food. Depending on the length of your hike, also include a sleeping bag and tent.
Anyone can camp, so do not worry if you do not know everything about every type of camping. Just learn what you can before you go out and camp!
Make sure to include things like entertainment for kids and adults, extra blankets, towels, and things for rain like a tent cover or tarp.
Also make sure to include things like batteries for flashlights and radios in case of emergency.
Get your camping gear
Once you have decided to go camping, the next step is to get your camping gear. There are several ways you can do this.
You can purchase gear at local stores or online. Locally-sold gear may be more expensive, but it may be better quality as well. Online retailers like Amazon have very reasonable prices and great quality equipment, making it a good source to buy from.
There are many resources to learn how to set up your camp equipment, so look into those if you find yourself struggling.
Some campers prefer tented camps while others prefer RVs (recreational vehicles). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so decide which one you want and go for it!
For tent campers, waterproofing your tent is important to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Find out the weather conditions
Before you go camping, it’s crucial to know what the weather will be like. Will it be hot and sunny? Cool and rainy? Cold and snowy?
If you are going camping during the summer, you will most likely sweat a lot. Therefore, you need to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. You will also need a way to cool yourself down as well as shelter from the heat.
If it is raining, you will need to bring waterproof gear and a good shelter against the rain. If it is cold outside, make sure to have lots of warm clothing and blankets!
It is always a good idea to check the weather several days before you go camping so that you have time to prepare for any changes in conditions.
Bring blankets and pillows
While sleeping in a sleeping bag on the ground is great for saving money, it is not so great for comfort. Besides, how can you sleep well if you do not have a comfortable pillow and blanket?
Sleeping bags are designed with thin blankets in mind, so you will still be cold without one. Pillows are also hard to come by when camping, so bring one of those as well!
You can also use blankets and pillows to make your tent feel more like a room. Put up the blanket as a wall and put the pillow and blankets on the ground to make it more comfortable.
Camping can be fun, but only if you are comfortable. Keep this in mind when deciding what to bring! Campers love being outdoors, but sometimes they are too tired to stay up all night- give yourself a break and take down the tents before that happens.
Cook your food properly
When camping, it is expected to cook your own food. If you bring pre-made or bought food, it is expected that you would grill it on a portable grill.
Many people think that cooking over an open fire is difficult, but it really is not! As long as you have a good fire starter and wood for the fire, you are set.
The most important part of cooking food on a campfire is making sure your food is cooked all the way through. The best way to do this is to use a meat thermometer and check that the innermost part of the meat or fish is cooked to a certain temperature.
Another tip? Make sure your bread does not get too crispy- if it does, then it may burn and there goes your breakfast! Try to keep it slightly soft so that everyone can enjoy it.
Bring utensils
While most campsites provide picnic tables, it is best to bring your own utensils as well. Not only will this save you the walk to the food table, you will have your own set of dishes to use.
Whether it be for eating snacks, mixing drinks, or cooking your meals, having your own utensils is a pro camping trick. You can even bring paper plates and plastic forks, cups, and knives to save yourself the wash later!
If you are going camping for more than one day, it is also best to bring more than one set of dishes. Since you will be doing a lot of cooking and eating, there is a good chance you will use all of your dishes.
First off, having enough sets of dishes for everyone in your group is a good enough number.
Bring plates and bowls
While eating directly out of the bag is fun, it is not very sanitary. Plus, it is much harder to clean dirt and grime off of plastic than it is off of ceramic or steel.
Plates also come in handy if you want to cook in your pot. You can use a plate as a cover while cooking to prevent burning or spilling. Then, you can use the plate to serve your food on!
Even if you are not planning on cooking, having plates and bowls comes in handy for snacks or just for display. Having colors besides black makes them easier to find when packing up and sorting gear.
These are not necessary items, but make camp setting slightly more comfortable.
Plan activities for the camp site
Once you have arrived at the camp site, one of the first things you should do is decide on activities for the site. Most camp sites have a covered area where people can gather and play games, or where they offer activities like canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
You can also bring your own games to play with other campers, or to put together a fun night game or day game. Some popular camping games are:
Card games like War or Go Fish
Dictionary games like I Never or Questions
Betting games like Asshole and I Doubt It
Board games like Operation or Jenga
Camping is a great way to socialize with new people as well as re-acquaint with old friends. People tend to feel more free and relaxed when at the camp site which makes it even easier to socialize!
Socializing at the camp site can help you make new friends for future adventures.
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Olivia is the Editor in Chief of Laienhaft – a website dedicated to all things outdoor and camping. If you’re looking for the best tent to take on your next camping trip, or need some advice on how to get started with recreational camping, Olivia has you covered.
