If you have never had the pleasure of being able to lie under the stars then it’s safe to say that you are missing out. Sleeping outdoors comes with a huge amount of freedom and it’s not something that can be beaten. If you want a great activity for your family, your friends, or even yourself, then camping is certainly the way to go. One of the main reasons why people haven’t tried camping before is because they just don’t think that they would enjoy it. That being said, it’s more than possible for you to make the most out of your experience if you know what steps you need to take.
Don’t Buy a Small Tent
First things first, you have to make sure that you don’t buy a small tent. For two people, it’s safe to say that a two-man tent is a squeeze. If you want to have any space at all then make sure that you double the number for the people you have. In other words, buy a four-man tent if there are two of you going. You might also want to check your tent over before you travel. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination, only to realize that you have left some of the poles at home. Bin bags and tape will fix just about anything, so take some of that with you.
Think about Warmth and Comfort
If you are taking an airbed or an inflatable mattress, then make sure that you take a space blanket with you. If you put this underneath, then this will stop some of the cold coming from the ground. It will give you a level of insulation and this will really work in your favor. If you are concerned about space then don’t pack a pillow, put your clothes in the bag that your sleeping bag came in. This will serve as a fantastic substitute. If you are going to splash out on a single thing before your trip, then make sure that you make it a sleeping bag. You might think that a budget sleeping bag is perfect for your first trip, but it may end up making you miserable. Invest in a goose-down sleeping bag and you will soon find that your camping experience is completely transformed. The bag will be smaller, you will have extra filling and less air. You won’t regret it.
Pitching under a Tree is Not a Good Idea
The spot under the tree may look somewhat inviting, after all, you have the sun coming through the leaves and you may find that it’s very private as well. That being said, you need to avoid camping there if possible. In the morning, your tent will be covered in sap and you may find that this makes packing up a nightmare. You will also have to clean your flysheet when you get home, and if you end up experiencing a thunderstorm, the last thing that you want is to have to move your tent. It’s just a bad idea all-round, so take the time to pitch somewhere else so you don’t have to worry about this at all.
Camping Isn’t all about Eating Noodles
If you have never been camping before then you may think that you have to eat dried noodles all the time. This is not true at all, in fact, there are plenty of meals that you can cook. If you want to make sure that you get the best result out of your camping experience, then make sure that you take an electric stove with you. When you do, you will soon find that you can open a world of new possibilities. Throw some rice in there, some couscous or even some grain. When you have done this, you can then add some spices and some curry paste. If you add some vegetables then you will soon find that you will end up with a stunning meal that is a far cry from the watery, salty noodles you were expecting. If you are concerned about how you are going to take all of this food with you then freezer bags are your best friend. Make sure that you stock up on them and then double bag anything that may be liquid. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you are able to take full meals with you and that you no longer have to worry about going hungry or having bland meals.