Camping is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors and is an easy and affordable vacation opportunity. Whether you are going with a group of friends, your family or on a solo adventure, a bit of planning and preparation can go a long way in ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Here are 10 ways to prepare for your next summer camping trip:
Remember these essentials for your packing list.
A tent and sleeping bag are obvious essentials to take but there are a number of other items that inexperienced campers often forget. These include:
- A first aid kit (with blister plasters for sore feet from hiking)
- A torch with spare batteries
- A tent repair kit
- A portable phone charger
- Fuel and a lighter
- Spare waterproof clothing
Pack food that’s easy to prepare.
Even if you are taking a camping stove, you may regret only packing ingredients for meals that require preparation. In bad weather cooking may be difficult so it’s best to have a range of snacks on hand that don’t require cooking for refrigeration.
Dehydrated foods like Bacon Jerky are a safe and tasty choice, cereals, long life milk for tea and coffee and dried or tinned foods are also great options.
Where best to pitch your tent
Flat ground is best to pitch a tent on where possible and you should try to leave at least 5m of open space around you. You can use bushes and hedges for shelter but pitching under a tree should be avoided.
What to watch out for
Whether you are in a national park, state park or designated camping ground you need to find out the rules for the site in advance. There may be restrictions on where you can camp or light campfires.
You should also learn about the local wildlife species, including any dangerous animals, and be sure to pack insect repellent to prevent nasty bites.
Stay warm and dry
It may be the summer, but weather can be unpredictable in some regions. Be sure to pack waterproof jacket and trousers and spares in case you get wet. It can be chilly in the evenings, so hats, hoodies and thick socks are also recommended.
Bring along extra shoes as if your boots get soaked or need repairs then a spare pair will keep you comfortable. Sun protection and sunglasses are also recommended for the daytime.
Look after your surroundings.
One of the first rules of camping is to look after your environment. Leave the campsite exactly how you found it in order to protect the wildlife and plant life.
This means bringing trash bags and taking home any rubbish, you have. Be sure to put out any fires you make, never leave them unattended or let them get out of hand as this is how wildfires often start.
Plan some activities.
Whether it’s hiking, wildlife spotting or outdoor sports, be sure to plan lots of things to keep you entertained during the daytime.
Plan your travel carefully.
Camping is most often done in remote locations and so you will likely be travelling by car. Plan your route out in advance, ensure you have enough gas and bring along a physical map in case you have no signal for your map app.
Share your location with others.
Tell others exactly where you are going, especially if travelling solo. You can share your location via your smartphone and let someone know what landmarks you are camping close to.
Don’t forget to take lots of photographs. Camping is often an unforgettable experience, take lots of photos of the beautiful scenery while you are there!