To paraphrase... "Adventure begins when everything goes wrong", and that is sort of how you need to approach camping. Even the best-laid plans will not always go as expected.
To help mitigate the impacts of chaos, here are some general tips on how to start your camping adventure to ensure everyone has a great time!
TENT/SHELTER
The tent is where your camping journey begins and ends. This is the Alpha and Omega of your adventure and care should be given when taking the following into consideration.
While most tents are user friendly, some may test your patience when it comes time to set up and tear down if you are unfamiliar with it. Try to receive a demo on how to use your selected tent from the vendor you've purchased from and/or be sure to set up and pack away your tent for the first time while safely still at home. Becoming familiar with the tent in a controlled environment will no doubt increase your success while at camp. This will also confirm that you have all required poles and equipment needed to setup and stake down your tent securely.
Choose one for the appropriate size of your party/family. Too large and on a colder night, your body heat will never warm up the dead space. Too small, and you'll feel like sardines in a can.
Use a proper footprint with your tent. This can either be a specific to your tent tarp or a generic tarp, that should be slightly smaller than the base of your tent. This will ensure water doesn't become trapped under your tent and will protect the tents bottom while also offering some insulation.
Inspect the ground where you'll be placing the tent. Ensure no large sticks, rocks or uncomfortable items are under your tent and understand the terrain you're setting up on. Is it a hard rock surface, is it sand, or grass? This will impact how you secure your tent and also your sleeping comfort throughout the night.
Use tent stakes properly and pack more than you think you may use. This includes bringing spare bungee cords or rope to help secure your tent and tarps in place.
Utilize a tarp overhead if rain or a bright sunny day is in the forecast and verify the tents rainfly is properly secure and ready to handle the weather of the day. This will help provide either shade if needed, or direct water away from the tents roof, keeping you safe and comfortable within.
ESSENTIAL GEAR
While this list will vary depending on who you ask, here is what we believe to be some essential items to ensure success.
Sleeping Gear:
A proper rated sleeping bag paired with a good sleeping pad and additional blankets will provide you with options to remain comfortable throughout the night.
Kitchen Gear:
Beginning with knowing what meals you plan on having should direct you towards what method of cooking you'll be utilizing. An open fire, a BBQ, or a camp stove.
Items to consider: pans, tongs, spatulas, roasting forks, dishes and utensils, etc. We suggest investing in a pre-made kitchen setup by a reputable brand, found at your local outdoor retailer. Don't overlook a couple sturdy tubs to be used as a sink either!
Cleaning Gear:
Subscribe to the "Tread Lightly" mentality and be sure to pack out whatever you packed in. Bring with you, trash bags and environmentally safe soaps to allow for good campsite hygiene. Be sure to properly clean up after every meal to reduce unwanted wildlife visits and to keep the area as close to as it was before you were ever there.
Personal Gear:
To touch on just a few items. Bringing personal effects can provide a comfortable transition while camping. You may determine items to be essential, where others wouldn't, and that's ok. Be sure to bring what you feel you must or have room for. Here are however a few items that would serve you well to not forget at home.
Toiletries, toothbrush & toothpaste, weather appropriate clothing, extra socks and undies, a hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, proper footwear and additional layers like hoodies or long sleeved shirts.
LOCATION & TIME
Where and when you head off to camp will play a large role towards your camping success or failure. Knowing your own experience level and desired goal of the camp trip may dictate if it would be best to camp at a provincial/federal campsite, a campground, or on crown land.
If you plan to camp near people or being remote, paying attention to the time of year is important. Long weekends will bring with it more people and sometimes a different type of camper, which may be counter to your goals.
Staying close to home vs out in the middle of nowhere, should also be assessed. If something was overlooked or goes sideways, being near home allows for a safe retreat and future reset vs possibly turning everyone off due to a bad experience.
GAMES AND ACTIVIES
Be sure to bring along with you some activities and games to pass the time. Weather changes may force you indoors and just taking in the views can become stale. It is advisable to pack along some complimentary distractions. Items like a pack of cards, a boardgame, camp bingo, a book, sport related items, etc. These should help keep everyone entertained during the trip.
Depending on your interests and camping location, mountain biking, hiking, water crafts, etc., may also be worth bringing along as a way to compliment your outing.
MEAL PLAN
Space is a limited commodity when out in the woods, so knowing the real estate required for your meals, snacks and staples should not be left to chance. When camping for a day, or two, or even a week, it is a great idea to poll those who will be in attendance and plan your meals and snacks accordingly.
Knowing what you plan on making and when, will not only help you with maximizing your cooler for example, it will also help ensure you bring along with you all the proper cooking essentials needed, like seasoning, spices, condiments or sauces which will help bring your meals to that home cooked level.
In addition to your meals and snacks, pack some dehydrated food options for those unforeseen situations, which may make your planned meal unavailable for the day.
TEST GEAR AT HOME
Seasoned or green-thumbed campers should all be in the best practice of testing and setting up new gear at home, prior to your camp trip. Heavy use items like sleeping bags, flashlights, propane tanks, should be looked over and ensured to be in good working order, batteries charged or replaced and tanks refilled.
HAVE FUN
The best tip I can leave you with is just this... HAVE FUN! Taking all the above into account may assist with having fun, but even if things go off the rails, which they sometimes do, go along with it. That's what makes it an adventure worth having and talking about for years to come.
"Life Is Serious... Have Fun With It" -Kevin Rego
That prepared camping vibe!
Embrace Adventure
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