5 Essentials for First-Time Camping

Living in this busy modern world, all of us strive for experiences that hit different. It goes without saying that one of the best ways to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city is camping. Being in touch with nature and enjoying simple life can be really rewarding. Not to mention, camping is a perfect getaway option in these uncertain times of pandemic: according to Forbes, camping is getting more popular than ever in a socially distant world.

5 Essentials for First-Time Camping
[image: pexels by vanessa garcia]

If it’s going to be your first camping trip, get this: a good or bad camping experience boils down to a single thing — what you’ve packed (or failed to pack) for the trip. To make it easier for you, we’ve prepared the list of top five camping essentials. Let’s jump right in.

1. Tent 

[image: pexels by vanessa garcia]

Without any doubt, a good tent is the number one item on your camping trip. While choosing your wildlife shelter, pay attention to its size and season of use.

Tips

● When picking a tent, it’s a good idea to go for one that’s a size or two bigger than the number of campers using it. This will give you enough space to store your gear and feel yourself comfortable inside.

●For camping beginners, it’s recommendable to bring a camping stove which enables easy and safe cooking. So keep in mind to choose one of the tents with stove jack.

● Tents come in 1, 2, 3 and 4-season ratings. Which one to choose? You never know when you’ll set off for your next camping adventure, so it’s the best idea to go for a 4-season tent, which you can use all year round. Check out an impressive collection of reliable all-season tents at hot-tent.com.

●You’ll need a source of light to be able to do things in your tent and outside when the night falls. Consider getting a portable, battery-powered light. Headlamps, flashlights and lanterns are the most popular options.

2. Sleeping Bag

Whatever time of year you choose to camp; you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag as temperatures usually drop at night. When choosing a light sleeping bag, pay attention to its size, season and temperature rating to ensure it will keep you warm and cozy.

Tips

● For the most comfortable sleeping, get a sleeping pad or an air mattress.

● If you’re hesitating between a down and synthetic sleeping bag, it’s really up to your specific needs. Get this: down sleeping bags are lightweight and easy to compress, they have a wider comfort temperature range and are suitable for both cold and warm temperatures. Plus, they have a longer lifespan. On the downside, they are more expensive and take a longer time to dry out.

● Synthetic sleeping bags are cheaper than the down ones, they are easier to clean, and most importantly, retain insulation when damp. However, they aren’t as good at retaining heat as down, and, to top it off, they are heavier and bulkier.

3. First Aid Kit 

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Although it’s unlikely that you'll experience a life-threatening injury while camping, you or your friends can get small cuts, scrapes, or burns. Also, be ready that all-day hiking can result in painful blisters. A first aid kit will give you peace of mind if stocked with the right items.

Tips

● Items to include into your first aid kit:

1) adhesive bandages of various sizes

2) hand sanitizer

3) gauze roll

4) antiseptic cream

5) anti-diarrhea medicine

6) headache remedies

7) any prescriptions.

● If you go on a camping trip in the summer, don’t forget to pack sunscreen and insect repellent.

4. Food and Water Supply

You’re going to be more active than usual, so pack food rich in proteins, fiber and complex carbohydrates. Don’t forget about snacks like fruit, granola bars or nuts. Remember that cooking at the camp isn’t as easy as at home, so when you go camping for the first time, keep your food part simple. If you don't feel like camp cooking, it’s an excellent idea to go to a campground with cooking facilities and bring some pre-cooked or frozen meals. Some campgrounds also offer running water, and if you’re car camping, you can bring plenty of fresh water to the campsite. However, if you are camping in the backcountry, you’ll need to camp near a water source and bring along a water filtration system. Apart from food, take care of fuel, cooking utensils, cups, bowls, dishes, forks, spoons and knives.

Tips

● If you plan to cook from scratch, you’ll need to take plenty of food with you. So invest in a decent cooler to keep your food fresh. Freeze the food before you pack it, and unless you can freeze anything, at least make sure it’s chilled. Plus, remember that the fuller your cooler is, the more effectively it will keep its contents cool.

● Plan your meals for each day, thus you’ll know exactly what groceries and cooking equipment you’ll need to bring to the camp.

● If you are going to use water from the nearest water source, you can purify it by boiling. For this, take care of extra fuel.

5. Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Footwear

Before you set off for your first-time camping trip, check the weather forecast. Still, remember that temperature can dramatically change in the mountains and the desert. So while you’re packing for 80-degree days, get ready for 30-degree nights.

Tips

● Bring layers. Firstly, this will protect you against getting cold, plus you can remove outer layers when it gets warmer. Merino base layers combined with fleece sweaters and pants are a good solution.

● Bring a waterproof jacket.

● Take care of extra socks and underwear.

● Bring additional clothes to sleep in.

● Take your most comfortable footwear.

To Wrap It Up

Camping trips are perfect to spend your time in nature, however, they need proper preparation and planning. Of course, there can be a lot more items on your list apart from these essentials, but they depend more on your individual needs and preferences.