Going camping is one of the most exciting things that you can do. Not only do you get to reconnect with nature, but you can also forget your worries for a while, and just enjoy being at one with the natural world. Sure, you have to be somebody who can go without life’s luxuries for a few days, but once you’ve got over this hurdle, you’ll have a great time. However, you need to go prepared if you want to make sure that you’re not going to be freezing cold during the night, or going without food.

Here are 10 ways that you can prepare for a camping trip!

#1: Decide where you’re going

One of the most important things to do is to decide where you’re going. Are you going to camp somewhere local, like in a forest or on a beach near you, or are you going to venture further afield? It’s a good idea to look into what your options are, and whether you can actually camp there: is it a legal camping space, and do you need to pay for a plot? There may also be limits on lighting fires and cooking stoves, so look into this too.

#2: Choose who you’re going with

Choosing who you’re going with is another important thing to do. If you’re going with your kids, for example, you will need to tailor your packing to this, and there may be limits on how far you can walk without them getting tired. If you’re going with friends, find out a date that works for everybody, and see what equipment they have. Working this out means that you don’t need to bring too many items with you.

#3: Pick out the food that you’re going to take

Another important thing to consider is the food that you’re going to take. If you’re going for a few days, you’ll probably want to take non-perishable items, such as cans of beans, soups, and other foods like rice and dried pasta. Cans will protect the food inside, no matter what conditions you’re going to be camping in, and they are easy to store. Think about how much you’ll need: don’t underpack!

#4: Pack the tent and some sleeping bags

Obviously, you’re not going to get very far on your camping journey without tents and sleeping bags! You may want to get blow up beds and other more comfortable items if you’re camping for a long period of time, but it all depends upon what you’re looking to spend, and which items you already have in your camping stash. Some sleeping bags are better than others for cold temperatures, so look into this.

#5: Buy some safety supplies

If you’re a first-time camper, you may not know which safety supplies you’ll need. A torch is the most important thing to bring so that you can see your way around at night, but lamps will also be useful for when the fire goes out. Bringing mobile phones and battery charging packs is also a good idea (if there is a signal there), and a whistle, hand warmers, and a Swiss army knife may also come in useful whilst you’re out camping.

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#6: Bring a first aid kit

Although you always hope that you’re not going to sustain any injuries whilst you’re out camping, the reality is that it may happen (however small they may be). Check out some prepackaged medication for dispensing if you’re going with a big group, but if not, you should be able to buy a camping first aid kit online. Bandages, band-aids, painkillers, and other supplies could be useful for your trip.

#7: Check the weather and pack some clothes

Before you start packing up your clothes, you need to make sure that you’ve looked into what the weather will be like. Even if the forecast suggests that it will be sunny, however, you may want to bring a raincoat and a jumper, particularly for those cold nights. Bring a range of clothes if you can carry them, and don’t presume that you won’t need that raincoat at some point! Getting dry again could be difficult.

#8: Stock up your toiletries bag

Even though you’ll be embracing nature on your camping trip, and the ladies amongst us won’t be applying a full face of makeup whilst we’re out there, you will still want to stay as clean as possible. Bring baby wipes, deodorant, and a bar of soap in the event that you’ll be able to wash properly somewhere. Insect repellent is also worth bringing if you’re somewhere with a lot of mosquitos and other bugs, and you can buy it at many stores.

#9: Think about entertainment

Although you’ll be spending most of your time enjoying the world around you, there may be times when you wish that you had some entertainment to hand. For example, if you’re one of those people who struggles to sleep – and your friends are those people who sleep pretty much straight away – then you’ll probably want to have a book or some technology, like an iPad or a camera to fill the time!

#10: Bring marshmallows (and something to light a fire with)

As we all know, the best part of camping is sitting around a fire, eating marshmallows and enjoying the company of your loved ones. Make sure that you bring a few along if you want to go down the traditional camping route, and also be sure to bring something to light a fire with. Again, you may want to check that you can do this where you’re going, and it’s a good idea to learn how to light the best fire!

So…

If you’re going on a camping trip, then it’s important to make sure that you’ve prepared these 10 things, especially if you’re a camping newbie. If you do, you should be enjoying the natural world, whilst being comfortable and safe, too! Enjoy your time recharging in the wild, and don’t forget to bring those marshmallows with you, either…

Troy Lambert

Troy is a Freelance writer, editor, and author who lives, works, and plays in Boise, Idaho where he hikes, cycles, skis, and basically enjoys the outdoor lifestyle of the Northwest. Troy writes about business, sports, GIS, Education, and more. He is most passionate about writing suspense thrillers, and his work can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Lambert/e/B005LL1QEC/