Camping isn’t for everyone. This was made very clear to me one day when I suggested to my (now ex-) wife that we go camping for our summer vacation. Whoops… “Camping??? Good one. So which resort are we staying at?” True story.
Want to look as though you’ve been camping all your life, even the first time? If you find it difficult to visualize yourself having fun in the descriptions that follow, camping may not be for you. Follow these tips from veteran campers, who not only have about 90 years of personal experience among them, but also are in the business and help campers from beginner to expert work through their issues on a daily basis. We’ll just call them Tom, Dick and Harry. Don’t try to find them if your trip turns sour.
“I can’t say this enough: Camping is about relaxing,” says Tom. “The more you bring, the more you gotta set up, the more you have to take down, the less relaxation time you have.”
That said, he adds, “Don’t forget the toys. Bring your bike, boat, a big kite, your Frisbees. But don’t overdo it.”
Where you camp can have a big impact on whether you like your first camping trip or not. Camping near water, such as a lake or river can make the experience more enjoyable. “If you’re used to a hot shower every morning, be sure you either choose a campground that has them, or camp near water for a cold bath each morning”. This from Harry.
Don’t forget that just planning, packing and getting there can be fairly arduous the first time around. Most campers use a SUV, minivan, or trailer, along with a car rack for bikes, boats, kayaks, etc. Stretch a tarp off the side of your vehicle and make a porch, and then use your car as a place for folks to get away from their tent. It really comes in handy when it rains. Some campsites have few trees, so a makeshift porch gives you a way to have another shelter with shade.
Dick suggests consolidating items to serve more than one function. “Think about each thing that you pack, which works for backpacking or car camping,” he said. “Like a bandanna, which can be just a bandanna, or it can work as a coffee filter, you can use it to wash dishes, it can be part of a first-aid kit.” See yourself having fun yet?
Other ideas from the veterans
The three Cs - Consolidate, Contain, Clean are well known to experienced campers. “I keep all of my gear, my food, everything I use on camping trips in giant Rubbermaids,” Tom says. “My sleeping gear is in a giant duffel. Organize your stuff so you can pull it out easily when you get to the campsite and have it contained in something that keeps it clean and dry. Then, clean it before you put it away at the site, so you can unpack it, put it in a corner, and it takes 15 minutes to put it together for the next trip.” Fun yet?
Put food in large plastic containers, which protects it from rain, critters and smashing. If you don’t know what a critter is, you’ll find out pretty fast. Like when you wake up after your first night camping.
Disposable wipes maintain a hygienic camp - they keep your hands clean, and can be used to quickly wipe off tables and gear. There are now green options, as well as full-body wipes instead of taking soap and washcloth.
Headlamps are great for backpacking and provide hands-free light for trips to the outhouse or dishwashing.
A dromedary or hydration bag can be used as a makeshift solar shower or dishwasher. Hang it off the side of a truck and let the sun warm it up. Bingo! Instant hot shower.
Always think multi-use. “Stuff sacks, those things your sleeping bag comes in, can be used to hold wet or dirty clothes, you can hang food in it off a tree for a bear bag,” Harry says. “And you can stuff it with soft clothes and use it as a pillow.” Storage bins can serve as wash bins.
Have a variety of ingredients to do a combination of simple and elaborate dishes. Bring in-season foods, and don’t forget herbs and spices.
Never go camping without a deck of cards. “If it rains, this will save your life,” all three campers agreed. Bring whatever other small games will fit.
“There are some amazing boxed wines out there,” says Tom. “They travel well too.” Not having fun yet? Get drunk after the kids are asleep.
Be courteous to your neighbors. Walk around others’ campsites to get to the restroom. Don’t let your dog bark all night. And all three emphasized: Leave no trace.
So, do you get the picture? Do you see yourself in it? Hey you’ll truly never know untill you try it. If you have kids, you owe it to them to try at least once.
The rest of this site teaches you how to plan that first camping trip. Ready? Let’s go!
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