Your success in camping depends upon how well you are prepared for the trip as well as your commitment towards it. As a beginner, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused while starting out as a camper. When I myself started out with camping for the first time, I was not sure what to do. What things to pack, how to light a fire, how to set up a tent and so on. But I was lucky to have some experienced fellow campers with me who knew the tricks of the trade well.

However, if you are going solo or with fellow first timers, have a proper plan in place and take things one at a time. So things might not seem so difficult after all. Here are a list of some tent camping tips for beginners that I could collect that will surely help you out:

Choose a campsite and make your reservation well in advance

You have to consider all the relevant factors before arriving at a decision of selecting a camp-site. The proximity to a water body, availability of emergency services and preferably other people camping in close proximity to your camping area are some of the factors you can keep in mind.

If you are planning to go camping during the spring or summer which is the peak season for camping, make sure that you book your spot if you are camping in a common camp-ground.

Make a list of all the equipment that you will                     need

Sit down, take your time and prepare the list. You will be out, away from home for some days. You do not want to miss out on something crucial that you may need for the trip. Make sure to include a first aid box, water purifying equipment, mosquito and bug repellent among other things.

Store all your equipment preferably in                       backpacks

Backpacks are easy to carry. Even though you may be going to the campsite by car, sometimes you may have to hike some distance before arriving at the campsite. In such situations, a backpack comes handy. But if it’s a family camping trip with kids, it might not be feasible to carry all the equipment in backpacks. You wouldn’t want to burden your kids with a backpack on their shoulders, would you? 😉

Carry along sufficient food supplies and raw materials for cooking

The thrill of cooking food in the open while camping is unmatched. Not only do you get to eat freshly cooked food, but it is quite an adventure in itself. However, you must be well prepared in order to cook outdoors. While you must have the requisite raw materials for cooking, yo must also have suitable utensils and equipment.

In addition, carry along sufficient supplies of ready-to-eat food items in case you don’t like to cook and even otherwise.

Learn how to make a fire

This is a valuable tip that you must learn if you are a beginner or a seasoned camper. While at the camp, you must know how to build a safe campfire. Not only will it provide warmth in the night but it will also be used for cooking your food. And then not to forget the traditional campfire activities that you can have in the evening.

However, if you feel uncomfortable with making a natural fire, you can try a portable outdoor fire pit

Make a list of the activities or games for the camp

Whether you decide to go fishing, hiking or just playing with a pack of cards sitting by the tent, deciding the camping activities you want to do will save you time. Deciding what activities to do at the camp. prevent confusions later on. You can make a list of the activities or games which you can carry out at the camp.

This tip can help not only the beginners but also experienced campers.

Carry a mosquito and bug repellent

If your campsite is near a water body, or even in the wilderness, there are bound to be a lot of mosquitoes and bugs that can make your experience sour. You must stay protected by carrying along a mosquito and bug repellent. An alternative to mosquito repellent is to carry a mosquito net.

Try out the camping gear in advance

So you have decided and booked a campsite, bought all the necessary equipment and can’t wait for your camping adventure to begin. Before you start on your camping trip, you must make it a point to test all your camping gear.

Especially equipment like tents, sleeping bags, flashlight, any knives or activity items like fishing rods. Learn how to set up a tent. Make sure that you fit in the sleeping bag 😛

Go through the forecast for the next few days

First up, the best season to go camping is either summer or spring. Now I’m not saying that you cannot go camping during the winter. Winter camping is also a preferred form of camping among the experienced lot. However, if you are just starting out, it is better to go camping when the weather is more likely to be clear and chances of a storm or bad weather are much less.

However, if you still plan to go camping in the winter, make sure that you go through the forecast for the next few days. Even otherwise, it is always better to read the forecast for the coming days. You do not want to get caught in bad weather in an unknown place. If the forecast predicts bad weather, you can always postpone your trip.

Keep your near and dear ones well informed

It is always a good idea to let someone close to you know about the location of your campsite and also the way to reach it. You never know when you might need help and the cell phones might not work.

Learn to use a GPS, map or a compass

This is an invaluable skill you must learn in the beginning itself when you are starting out with camping. Even though you might be having a fairly good idea of the campsite or you might be in close proximity with other campers, it is always an asset to read a map or GPS. In fact, it can actually be handy when you go hiking.

This is an important skill that you should learn which will not only help you with camping but also in other outdoor activities.

Budget your trip

It is very easy to get carried away on your first camping trip and buy all kinds of fancy equipment that you might never even use while camping. It is therefore highly important to set up a budget for your camping trip with the help of someone who has already camped before and is willing to give you their time.

These are some of the tips you must keep in mind when starting out for camping. If you have any other tips in mind, please feel free to share in the comments section below!