How to get the best camping experience from your campsite
Everyone loves a nice camping experience at one point or the other. It provides them a getaway avenue to connect with loved ones and relieve themselves of the stress involved in daily hustle and bustle of life.
Do you plan to unwind, get to spend time with your friends, partner, family or acquaintances by organizing a camping event? If yes, then it is important to know the steps to take that will ensure you a memorable lifetime camping experience. It does not have to be difficult planning a camping vacation. Knowing the camping basics is quite enough to guide you on how to have an amazing time camping.
The basics
You will get to know these basic lessons in the following tabs that will address the prerequisites for enjoyable camping: building a camp, handling a camping kitchen, what you need to sleep comfortably, how to prepare sumptuous meals at the campsite, outdoor recreational activities, breaking down your campsite, and safely stowing away your gear.
- Setting up your bed
You can discover how to set up your camping bed and not wake up with a sore back or waist pain. Regardless of you either tent camping or sleeping outside under the night sky, it is required for comfort that you have something comforting between you and the cold hard ground.
- Bedding
You need sleeping pads to help you comfortably relax and enjoy a great night’s rest while camping. It is necessary to have a layer of comfort between you and the ground. You can also access other alternatives to sleeping pads.
- Blankets, bedsheets and pillows
Most campers have camping bedding as the primary standard sleeping bag. However, you may need to take regular bed items to the campsite, in order to reduce the expenses that would be spent on purchasing camping gear. These items include blankets, pillows, bedsheets, quilts, and comforters. You can nicely set up your campground bed without having to purchase a new gear.
Campground shelters
If you intend to camp outdoors, you would need a camping shelter – most times, this is a camping tent. There are various tents these days that come in various shapes and sizes to meet the demands of campers and weather requirements. Having a camp shelter transcends just pitching a tent to have a shelter over your head. You can find out more on campsite shelters via this guide: camping guides.
The type of tent you will need
There are various tents that are available in different shapes, sizes, and varieties. Also, they range from high-tech models used by mountain climbers to the multi-room cabin tents which are convenient for fair weather family camping. You need to select a tent that suits your camping needs.
Setting up your tent
It is important to note that there are various factors to consider when setting up a tent. Wind is one factor to consider as it can create an adverse effect on your tent. Your choice of tent should be considered from an aerodynamic perspective. Ensure that you stake your tent with the right stakes for the terrain.
Building your camp
Having arrived at your campground and studied the area where your camp will be built, here are some rules to follow when setting up your campsite.
- Handling outdoor pests
You may encounter outdoor pests such as ticks, bugs, and animals on the campsite. It is necessary to know how to efficiently deal with them and establish precautionary measures towards staying safe from them.
- Soothing campfires
Once you are done with the day activities, you can always retire to the warmth of a cozy campfire. Ensure that you set up a campfire in a safe environment.
- Leave no trace
This is a golden camping rule that must be abided by any camper seeking vacation. It is vital that you leave your campsite as clean as you met it, or even better. Ensure that you dispose used items properly and keep your environment as clean as possible.
- Kitchen duty
Most people find outdoor food more mouth-watering, however a camping kitchen is as good as its level of neatness. Take precautionary measures to maintain a clean camp kitchen. In addition to this, you should respect wildlife. Do not let your kitchen activities disrupt the activities of animals within the vicinity.
- Gear storage
One last step to take during your camp stay is to properly store your camping gear away after your vacation is over. This would help you easily pack them when next you need to take on another trip. Keep your gear clean and long-lasting.
Campground location
Your campsite location matters a lot. It is crucial to map out an ideal place to create your camp which includes the kitchen, and bathing area. Safety should be one of your main priorities. Your choice of location should be in a flat area, where you can easily set up your tent and fire, and likewise get rid of any trash and food to avoid attracting wildlife. Once this is accomplished, you can safely enjoy your stay camping.
Locate a relatively high level ground
This is paramount for your safety. Never set up your campsite on a sloppy land, as it is may not be safe or convenient for you to stay on. For example, you may find yourself rolling out of your sleeping bag all night, or you may find your camp swept away when it rains heavily. Additionally, do not set your campsite on a low ground, as this could create flooding issues as well.
Set your camp close to a water source nearby
You need water for camping, which includes drinking, washing, cooking, and bathing. It is beneficial to have a water source nearby to your campsite, as you do not want to commute great distances with water storage containers. Some campgrounds are equipped with water pumps within the vicinity. However, if you are backcountry camping, it is required that you know the terrain before you go in search of water in streams and rivers. Furthermore, you need to bring along chlorine tablets and a water purifier that will help make your water safe for use.
Select an area that is safe for cooking
You need to be cautious when dealing with a campfire. Make sure that your camping kitchen area is free from twigs, leaves or brush that are prone to ignition. Abstain from cooking anything inside your tent. Extinguish the fire totally when you are done preparing your meal. It is dangerous to leave a campfire neglected or flaming for a long period of time.
Use biodegradable bath products
Bathing with hot, soapy water is not safe for the flora. However, there are alternatives you can go with. It is ideal to use eco-friendly soaps and discard soapy water in assigned areas or places with less impact. You can make use of portable eco-friendly shower bags – some come with solar-powered features.
Dispose your garbage properly
As discussed earlier on… keep a clean environment. Properly dispose of all trash in a location that is out of reach of wild animals. Do not keep your food lying around in the tent. There are hanging bags you can store your food in to keep bears and other animals away.
Select a campsite that has comfortable shade
It is great to have a campsite that comes with a shady spot you can relax during the sunny day or while hanging out. For places with less foliage cover – like a beach or a meadow – it will be necessary to take along with you a light spring-up tent that will prevent your body from being exposed to U.V rays. Additionally, you can pack a comfortable collapsible lawn chair and ice chest.
Camping first aid kit
It is essential to have a fully stocked first aid kit when camping. Should you eventually need it, you would be glad that you brought it along. First aid kits could be lifesavers in periods of emergencies; which is why you need to have them on any camping trip you embark on. Sometimes, hazards tend to occur while camping – a simple trip and fall can lead to bruises which can be infected when it comes in contact with dirt. One may end up being bitten by insects which may lead to skin irritation. Having a first aid kit will help you treat such wound or infection.
Having this essential kit makes you prepared for camping accidents. You can either come up with your own wilderness first aid kit or purchase a basic first aid kit from a local pharmacy closeby. A well stocked first aid kit comprise of the following items:
Basic items
- Butterfly bandages
- Adhesive bandages featuring various sizes
- Antiseptic creams and ointments
- Gauze pads with various sizes or rolls
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medicine
- Sterile wipes and rinse solutions
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Eye drops
- Tweezers, safety pins, scissors, and knife
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Sunburn relief spray
- Antihistamine for allergic reactions
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Hand sanitizer
- Moleskin
Additional items
- Super glue
- Duct tape
- Sunscreen
- Aloe vera
- Epi-pen
- Emergency blanket
- Prescription medicine
With your first aid kit fully stocked and other measures being checked, you can embark on that memorable camping vacation with your friends, family, partner, or acquaintance. To get started today, please visit this link: Britain’s camping sites