Camping Guide: Here’s Everything You Need Before Hitting the Road!

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You’re checking our camping guide, which could only mean one thing: you’re interested in camping (duh!).

Great!

There’s no experience out there that can compare to camping.

There’s an exhilarating feeling that comes from connecting with nature on such a deep level. It’s one of the best ways to let go of the stress and problems of one’s daily routine. It’s also an amazing opportunity to bond with the people you’re camping with.

This camping guide will go over everything you might need to plan out your camping trip and have the best possible experience you can.

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive camping guide, you have come to the right place!

So, shall we begin?

Jump to your preferred section!

First, Why Should You Consider Camping?

Infographic showing why you need to go camping as part of the camping guide by Sherlinglake.com

Here’s why everyone should try camping even once:

It’s a fun activity

Camping can be one of the most fun experiences, especially if you love the outdoors. You’ll get to interact with nature in a unique way and get the chance to observe wildlife and plantlife firsthand.

You’ll learn plenty of new skills

Camping will teach you new survival skills that will allow you to survive without any electronics. These skills can also feel very freeing to learn as they will help you survive on your own. It’s definitely a welcome change of pace from the regular environment we find ourselves in every day.

You’ll get to bond with your friends and family member

There is no better bonding activity than going to camp with your friends or family. You’ll have so much time to connect with each other, and you’ll be put in unique situations where you’ll have to help each other and work together in order to have the best experience.

There’s so much you do. Whether you want to gather around a campfire at night, sharing stories, go fishing, or go on nature walks, you’ll be able to build a strong bond with your friends and family when you go camping.

You’ll learn to let go of luxuries

Camping is by no means an easy thing to do. You’ll have to let go of many things that you’re used to, especially electronic devices.

Also, you’ll need to learn some survival skills in order to have a pleasant experience. However, all of this will make you appreciate the things you have even more, which can be a breath of fresh air to your life.

It’s an affordable activity

It doesn’t cost a fortune to go camping. In fact, you don’t have to spend much at all. There are free camping sites, and even the ones that cost money are very affordable. However, you might want to invest in some camping gear if you intend on going to a free walk-in camping site.

Now that you know just how fun camping can be, it’s time to get into the heart of this camping guide. Let us take a look at some of the places you can go camp in.

Camping Guide: Deciding Where to Camp

Deciding on where you should go camping will depend on when you intend on camping. Taking the time of year and holidays is very important when you’re planning out your camping trip location.

One of the most vital things that a lot of beginner campers seem to forget is doing proper research about the place they’re going to. There are a plethora of great camping destinations. You can also find many helpful camping tips online. This camping guide will also provide all the information you need to have an excellent and fun camping trip.

Another thing that you should take into account is what kind of activity you plan on doing when you go camping.

For instance, if you want to go kayaking, fishing, wakeboarding, or boating, you should choose a camp that’s near a water source such as a lake (don’t forget your water filtration system, such as the Sawyer Squeeze or Mini).

If you want to go surfing, swimming, or relaxing in the sun, you should choose a camp that’s near the beach.

Lastly, if you want to connect with nature, camping in the bush might be the best option for you as you’ll be able to enjoy hiking on trails, backpacking, and spotting wildlife.

Bush Camping

In most cases, bush camping is free. If you love the outdoors and want to explore nature on a closer level, this is where you’ll find what you’re looking for.

However, you need to keep in mind that bush camping often means that you’ll have to stay at a site that has no facilities. This only makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Beach Camping

If you want to go camping on a beach, keep in mind that in some states and countries, it’s often illegal to camp on the beach directly. You’ll have to do your research and find a place that has activities such as surfing, snorkeling, boogie boarding, swimming, etc.

Camping at Caravan Parks

There’s a wide range of caravan parks. You can find ones that provide the basics, and that’s it.

However, you’ll also find caravan parks that provide luxurious facilities. Keep in mind that the cost of staying at a caravan park can vary between $15 and $35.

Camping on National Park Sites

If you want a peaceful camping experience where you’ll get to observe nature, you might want to go camping at a national park site.

It’s quite affordable. The rates range between $5 and $10 per night. There are some national park sites that are free too.

The great thing about camping on national park sites is that they also provide basic facilities such as running water and toilets.

Here’s an online tool that you can use to find a campsite: Find a Campground by NPS.

Camping Guide: Deciding What Gear You Need

Depending on where you want to camp, the type of gear you’ll need will vary drastically. That’s because the weather conditions vary greatly from one place to the other, especially if you live in a big country, such as the United States or Australia.

For example, in Australia, you’ll find that the southern parts tend to be extremely cold while the western and northern parts tend to be scolding hot. In the US, it’s the other way around.

Make sure you take into proper consideration where you want to go camping.

Weather Conditions in the United States

Because of the sheer size of the United States, the climate and temperatures vary considerably depending on the season and the region.

  • Summer: June to August
  • Fall: September to November
  • Winter: December to February
  • Spring: March to May

In summer, the northern states enjoy pleasant (even warm) temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures in the morning and at night, while the southern states and tropical regions experience very high temperatures.

In autumn, temperatures cool down throughout the country. This season is beautiful in the northern regions, where the leaves change to beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange.

Winter is quite mild in the southern states, while the Great Plains and mountainous regions of the North, Northeast, Midwest, and West are frequently exposed to lower temperatures and snowfall.

In the spring, temperatures become milder. Throughout the country, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are frequent and continue into the summer.

Weather Conditions in Australia

Here are the weather conditions by the months and seasons:

  • January through February: summer in the temperate zone and the wet season in the tropical zone.
  • March through May: autumn in the temperate zone and the wet season in the tropical zone.
  • April through May: start of the dry season in the tropical zone.
  • June through August: winter in the temperate zone and dry season in the tropical zone.
  • September through October: spring in the temperate zone.
  • November through December: a transition from spring to summer in the temperate zone and the wet season in the tropical zone.

Now that you understand the different seasons and weather conditions throughout the year, let’s jump to the gear that you’ll need during your camping trip!

Camping Guide: Tent Camping

No matter when and where you choose to camp, you must have a shelter. There are different options you can choose from, such as a tent or a caravan to help you avoid humidity and cold weather.

It’s very important that you choose the right size of your tent. Thankfully, this camping guide also features tips for choosing a tent.

Size:

The indicated number of people the tent says it’ll sleep is often inaccurate. You should only look at it and use it as a vague guide. Just because a tent says it’ll sleep three people doesn’t mean you’ll be able to sleep comfortably.

You should also take into consideration that you’ll probably have to put your gear in your tent.

All in all, always pick the size of the tent to be larger than the group of people you’re going with. For example, if you have a family of four, it’s best to choose a tent that can sleep six people so you can ensure that everyone can sleep comfortably.

If you’re part of a really big group, you might want to consider getting a pop up canopy tent.

For more details regarding choosing the best tent for family camping, check our guide.

Material:

Tents can vary in terms of their materials. Some tents use thicker materials to help keep you warm in cold weather. However, if you’re going to be camping in mild weather conditions, you might want to get a three-season tent as it can keep you protected from cold weather, winds as well as heavy rain.

Here are some other things you might want to consider when choosing the material of your tent:

  • Canva and cotton tents are waterproof. However, keep in mind that they become much heavier when they get wet. They are also more durable than nylon.
  • Polyester and nylon tents are also waterproof. However, you need to check the seams and make sure they’re intact regularly. The main issue with these materials is that they degrade over time. They degrade even faster when exposed to sunlight.

Flooring:

Make sure that the flooring of your tent is durable enough to handle traffic and movement. You can get a footprint, which is a piece of fabric or tarp you can put under your tent to protect its flooring.

Ventilation:

Good ventilation is vital as it greatly reduces the amount of condensation in the tent. Condensation makes things moist and makes the overall experience much more uncomfortable. Make sure the tent you’re getting has well-placed vents and windows.

Weight:

Unless you plan on carrying your tent with you as you hike, weight shouldn’t be too much of an issue. If that’s the case, make sure you get a tent that’s both lightweight and durable.

Price:

The most important thing you need to take into consideration when you’re looking to buy a tent is its quality. Even if you might end up shilling more money in the short term, you’re going to end up saving yourself a lot of trouble and also money in the long run.

Essential Gear for Tent Camping

Here’s everything you need to set up camp:

  • Tent guy-ropes
  • Tent pegs
  • Mallet or hammer
  • Lanterns
  • Torches
  • Tent footprint
  • Tent pole repair sleeve
  • Sleeping bags
  • Air pads (with a repair kit)
  • Pillows
  • Multi-tool or knife (such as the Leatherman Skeletool or Skeletool CX)
  • HAM Radio (if you’re a fan)
  • Folding table
  • Folding chair
  • Clothesline and clothing pins
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Camping Guide: Caravan Camping

Camping in a caravan is very different from camping in a tent. There are new things you have to take into consideration since you’ll basically be towing your shelter behind you.

Make sure you find a caravan park or campground that can accommodate your size. It’s also worth mentioning that not all roads are suitable for towing caravans.

Furthermore, some campgrounds impose certain restrictions. Make sure you do your research beforehand.

Speaking of which, this camping guide also has some buying tips you can use to help you find the right caravan for your camping expedition.

How to Choose a Caravan

  • Rent or Buy: If you’re not quite ready to invest in a caravan of your own, you might be better off renting a caravan.
  • Space: Make sure that the caravan you’re buying or renting has enough space to accommodate everyone you’re bringing with you in addition to your gear.
  • Beds: It goes without saying that the caravan you intend on going with needs to be able to sleep everyone in the group. You should also take a look at the bed placement and make sure it provides enough room to move around comfortably.
  • Features: some caravans come with extra features such as showers and toilets. However, keep in mind that the more features there are, the higher the cost of the caravan will be.

Caravan Camping Tips

Once you have chosen the right caravan for you, here are some tips to help you have a fun caravan camping experience:

  • Make sure you have the proper permits and only camp in designated areas.
  • Examine your vehicle’s condition and ensure that it’s fit for the trip.
  • Avoid driving when you’re exhausted.
  • Keep your guard up and watch out for animals that might unexpectedly jump out when driving on the roadways.
  • Make sure you’re properly geared with and equipped with the basics.
  • Drive carefully when crossing waterways such as creeks.
  • Stick to the left of the road and drive carefully in dusty conditions.
  • Never drive faster than 90 kilometers per hour when towing a caravan.
  • Watch out for trains.

Caravan Camping Safety Tips

And lastly, this wouldn’t be a proper camping guide if it didn’t have safety tips when you’re at the campsite:

  • Look out for fire bans. They are the most common and strict during the summertime.
  • Only build fires in designated fire pits.
  • Make sure you put out the fires you start once you’re done.
  • In case the campground doesn’t have any toilets, make sure you bury human waste.
  • Clean up any rubbish you might have left and take it with you.

Camping Guide: Hammock Camping

Camping Guide: Hammock Camping

If you were wondering about hammock camping, this guide has also got you covered.

Why Hammock Camping

If you’re wondering why you’d choose hammock camping over a tend or caravan, here are a couple of reasons:

  • It’s very simple to set up. All you need are two trees.
  • You won’t be sleeping on the ground.
  • Hammocks are lighter to carry.
  • Hammocks are cheaper than tents.
  • They are just as simple to set up as they are to take down.

How to Choose a Hammock

  • Size: Make sure you choose a hammock that is the right width and length for you. If you’re going to use a hammock for more than one camper, you’ll need an extra-wide one.
  • Weight: Unless you plan on hiking your way to your campsite, weight shouldn’t be a concern.
  • Open or Closed: You can either choose an open hammock or a closed one. A closed hammock can help protect you against harsh weather and insects.
  • Material: There’s a wide variety of hammock materials you can choose from. However, the best hammocks for outdoor use are polyester/vinyl ones. They are the most durable and are also waterproof.

Hammock Camping Tips

Here are some extra tips for hammock camping:

  • Get a water-resistant hammock spreader bar.
  • It’s best to get a quick-drying hammock.
  • If you’re going hammock camping with your children, avoid buying rope hammocks as the holes can make them very uncomfortable.
  • Since air flows through the hammock, you’ll need to use warmer sleeping bags.
  • Bug nets are a must-have.

Camping Guide: Other Essentials

Camping Guide: Other Essentials

In this camping guide, we’ll also go over some other essentials that you must have with you regardless of how you want to camp.

The Sleeping Bag

When you’re looking for a sleeping bag, make to look at the temperature rating. If you’re going to camp in fair-weather conditions, you’ll only need a summer bag. However, getting a 3-season bag will give you more flexibility and help you prepare for unpredictable weather conditions.

The Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad is like the mattress to your sleeping bag. It helps you stay warm during the night. Make sure you choose a sleeping pad that has good insulation.

Camp Chairs

You don’t have to get camp chairs. However, they can make your experience more enjoyable and comfortable.

Camping Guide: Clothing

If there’s anything you should take away from this camping guide is that you should always be prepared. If there’s a chance of cold weather, layering will help you stay warm.

Essential Clothing Items

Here’s what you need to bring with you:

  • Thermal underwear
  • Wool socks
  • Jumper or fleece
  • T-shirts
  • Rain jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves or mittens
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Optional Clothing Items

Here are some other clothes you might want to pack with you when you go camping:

  • Moisture-wicking T-shirts and underwear
  • Quick-drying shorts and pants
  • Sun hat
  • Swimsuits
  • Sleepwear
  • Sandals
  • Shoes or boots for hiking
  • Bandanas
  • Long sleeves to keep your skin protected.

Camping Guide: Cooking

Camping Guide: Cooking

Depending on your personal preferences and the cooking gear you have access to, you’ll need to pack different things with you.

Gas Stove Cooking

If you’re going to cook with a gas stove, it’s best that you pack these items:

  • Stove
  • Fuel
  • Funnel for fuel
  • Cook pots
  • Dutch oven
  • Pot grabbers
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Open Fire Cooking

If you’re going to cook over an open fire, you need to bring the following items:

  • Grill rack
  • Charcoal
  • Matches and lighter
  • Firewood (if allowed)
  • Axe to cut wood
  • Frying pan
  • Roasting sticks for wieners and marshmallows
  • Foil
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Cleanup

Once you’re done cooking and eating, you need to clean things up. Here’s what you need to have with you:

  • Food storage bags
  • Trash bags
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Sponges and pot scrubbers
  • Collapsible water container
  • Portable camp sink
  • Drying racks
  • Quick-drying dish towels

Here are some other kitchen-type items you might want to bring with you:

  • Hot/cold vacuum bottle
  • Hand-crank blender
  • Bottle opener
  • Can opener
  • Food storage containers
  • Tablecloths and clips
  • Water bottles
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Cups
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Utensils
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Egg holders
  • Coolers
  • Ice
  • Food

Food

Additionally, it’s best to bring foods that are easy to prepare along with quick snacks. Here are some ideas:

  • Coffee and tea
  • Cold cereal
  • Porridge
  • Eggs
  • Batter mix
  • Syrup
  • Butter or margarine
  • Sugar
  • Jelly
  • Bread
  • Bagels
  • Crackers
  • Chips
  • Fruit
  • Energy bars
  • Breakfast bars
  • Meats or jerky
  • Soups
  • Drink mixes
  • Canned or bottled drinks
  • Milk (fresh or powdered)
  • Cheese
  • Condiments
  • Herbs
  • Spices
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cooking oil or spray
  • Cocoa
  • Marshmallows
  • Sweets or chocolate

Keep in mind that when you’re packing food, you’ll need to keep items cold so that they don’t spoil. You can bring jerky and powdered milk instead of fresh meats and milk since they don’t spoil.

How to Prevent Food from Spoiling

With that said, if you’re going camping as a family, you’ll want to bring a lot of food for everyone. This means that you’ll also have to bring some fresh foods with you.

Here’s how to keep your food cold and prevent it from spoiling:

  1. Use ice packs instead of commercial ice to keep your food cold. Commercial ice is only good if you want to keep drinks cold for a couple of days.
  2. If there’s enough room, bring two eskies with you. Use the first one for food and the second one for drinks. Since you’ll be opening the drinks eskie much more often than the food eskie, it won’t stay cold for as long, so it’s best to split foods and drinks into two eskies.
  3. You can use salt to free ice faster and keep it cold for longer. You can put salt and water in one of your water bottles, freeze it, and put it in the eskie. This can keep the eskie colder for longer. However, you should mark the bottle to avoid mistakenly drinking from it.
  4. Make sure your eskie is cold before placing ice packs inside it, and keep it away from sunlight, so it lasts for much longer.
  5. You can freeze water a week before your trip and put them in your eskie. Not only will you be keeping your eskie colder for longer, but you’ll also have some cold water to drink once the ice thaws out.
  6. Freeze your meals, meats, and foods beforehand to keep them fresh for longer.
  7. Put the most spoilable food nearest to the ice when you’re packing your eskie.
  8. Thermal ice packs are very useful as they can be used for your eskie or even for sprains and other injuries.
  9. It’s best to eat spoilable food first during the trip.
  10. There’s no such thing as putting too much ice in your eskie. Make sure you put ice all around your food.

Planning Meals

When you’re planning your meals, you should decide on how to cook them. If you’re going to cook over an open fire, using aluminum foil will allow you to cook efficiently and easily by wrapping meats and vegetables in closed foil packets and putting them in the fire.

It’s quite easy to make foil meals. All you have to do is pack your preferred ratio of meats and vegetables. Lastly, add in a couple of ice cubes, so you lock in moisture, then close it all up in the foil and twist the ends to make handles. This will allow you to rotate the meals over the fire.

You can easily make a delicious dinner by roasting sausages over an open fire and making banana chocs for dessert. It’s always smart to bring fruit and vegetable snacks with you for when you feel hungry. They’re also quite easy to store.

Another thing that you can do is cook some one-pot meals before you embark on your trip. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A stew or soup along with some break should be enough.

When it comes to breakfast, it’s one of the most important meals to plan out since it will provide you with the energy to kickstart your day. You can prepare eggs, bacon, or pancakes over an open fire or portable gas stove. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of cooking breakfast every morning, you can simply eat something like bagels, cold cereal, or breakfast bars.

As for lunch, you shouldn’t eat too much since it will make you feel tired and sleepy. You can eat wraps, dried fruits, energy bars, trail mix, or basically any snack that boosts energy.

Camping Guide: Camp Toiletries

When you’re going out camping, you need to pack your hygiene items with you, along with any prescription medications you might have. It’s also smart to bring bandages and other medication from home just in case. However, you can just bring a separate first-aid kit, which has all the medical supplies you might need in a nice compact bag or case.

It’s also smart to take the necessary precautions when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun and the bugs. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent with you. Make sure that you also bring your own soap, toilet paper, and towels. Finally, you might also want to bring some hand sanitizer with you.

Camping Guide: Setting Up Your Campsite

Depending on your camping method of choice, you might want to pick a different campsite. This camping guide over every option no matter which camping method you choose.

Tent Camping

Start off by unpacking your tent and setting it up. Make sure that you set up your tent somewhere that’s flat, with no vegetation and rock, has good drainage, and is wind buffered.

While the setup process of the tent can be finicky, here are a couple of tips to make your life easier:

  • Place down a tarp where you plan on setting up your tent. This will keep the inside of your tent dry.
  • Once you have the tent properly set up, place a second tarp inside. This will serve as extra protection.

Caravan Camping

The first thing you should do is examine the camping site. Make sure the ground is flat, and be careful of any potential obstructions. The ideal scenario would be to have someone to guide you into the camping site and help you figure out the best placement.

Keep your caravan secure. You can do this by placing blocks under the caravan wheels so that it stays level. Additionally, you can use wheel chocks on each side of the wheels to make sure your caravan stays in place.

If you have a towable caravan, you can secure it by lowering the jack until the caravan is on the same level on both the front and rear ends.

Make sure your caravan is connected to power, water, and sewer if possible.

Campsite Tips

The following advice is for when you have your tent or caravan properly set up, so it’s applicable no matter which camping method you choose.

Keep Essentials Close:

Make sure you keep a flashlight in your pocket. You should also keep other essential items easily accessible such as rain jackets, insect repellent, and a first aid kit.

Find Facilities:

While not every campsite provides basic facilities such as water and toilets, it’s vital that you check whether that’s the case or not. If there are no facilities at your campsite, then you should find the nearest water source and carry water to your site.

When it comes to using the bathroom, it’s best that you go somewhere that’s around 200 meters away from the site.

Choose a Cooking Area:

If your campsite has on-site grills and picnic tables that you can use, you should be good to go. However, you might come across a campsite that doesn’t offer such facilities. In this case, you’ll have to find a safe area to set up a cooking spot. Find a flat surface away from your tent and anything that’s prone to catching fire, such as twigs, trees, etc.

Find Garbage Cans:

Check whether your campsite has trash cans that you can use. Otherwise, make sure you gather up your rubbish and keep the site clean.

Choose a Cleanup Area:

If your campsite has cleaning stations and taps, you can use those to clean dirty dishes. Don’t use the bathroom and drinking fountains to wash your dishes.

Camping Guide: Safety Tips

There are plenty of things that could go wrong if you’re going camping unprepared. However, if you follow the safety tips in this camping guide, you won’t have to worry.

Fire Concerns:

Setting up a campfire can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. In order to prevent the fire from spreading, you need to have someone watching over it at all times. Furthermore; here are some extra fire safety tips:

  • Keep water close to you.
  • Use water to put out the fire and double-check that it’s out before you leave the area.
  • Smother the fire with soil so it won’t reignite.
  • Minimize the size of your campfire and keep it under control.

Campsite Setup:

Clear the area of any rocks, grass, and other debris before setting up your tent. Here are some additional safety tips:

  • Don’t set up your tent in a low-lying area. If you don’t have a choice, dig a trench around the area. It has to be about three or four inches deep. This is done to detour water away from your tent.
  • Don’t set up your tent under a tree. Decaying trees, in particular, can be dangerous as there’s an increased risk of falling limbs.
  • Check if there are animals in the area. Place any rubbish along with food and food preparation items around 100 meters away from your tent.
  • Closely examine the ground of the area to see if you can identify any animal tracks. If the area seems to be heavily treaded, you’ll need to find another spot.

Bring the Essentials:

Make sure you always have a medical kit with you. Having a first aid kit that contains all the medical essentials such as bandages and antibiotic ointments can come in very handy in dire situations. You should also bring flashlights along with water and batteries.

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Camping Guide: How to Make Camping More Comfortable

Camping Guide: How to Make Camping More Comfortable

Even though camping is not known for being a comfortable experience, there are some things you can do to make your experience a bit cozier.

  • Make sure you pack the right gear with you. Having a comfortable sleeping mat and something to use as a pillow is a must.
  • Brings appropriate clothes for the weather.
  • Go to the toilet before going to sleep.
  • Having a water bottle and headtorch close by at all times can be very helpful.
  • Bring an eye mask along with earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Camping Etiquette

Some people might not know that there is a camping etiquette that you should follow. This camping guide covers that too:

  1. Make sure you respect the rules of the campsite.
  2. Don’t be noisy.
  3. Respect the space and privacy of other people.
  4. Always clean up after yourself and keep the campsite facilities tidy.

It’s important to keep in mind that camping is all about respecting nature and appreciating its beauty. You shouldn’t leave any trace behind you. You should also avoid littering.

Lighting Campfires

Campfires are cozy and awesome. However, they can easily lead to disaster if the person making them is being reckless. Make sure you follow the rules of your campsite and make sure that they allow campfires in the first place.

If you’re making a campfire, you need to keep its size as small as possible. Set up a pit so it doesn’t spread too far. When you’re putting out the fire, make sure you use water and cover it with soil so that it doesn’t reignite. Always double-check as you can never be too cautious around fire.

Here’s a great guide on how to make a campfire by REI:

If you don’t have outdoor experience, it’s best that you avoid campfires altogether.

Camping Guide: With Kids

Camping Guide: With Kids

Camping is a fun activity for the whole family. However, if you’re bringing your kids with you, you need to make sure that your campsite is kid-friendly.

Make Sure They’re Ready

One of the most important things is to prepare your kids for camping before you go. This will help your kids adapt faster and place themselves in the right mind frame. It’s important that your kids learn a little bit about setting up the tent and have an idea about how it’s like to sleep outdoors and eat campfire meals.

Involve Them

You also need to take into consideration the whole family when you’re choosing your camping destination. Make sure that, wherever you might go, everyone will be able to have a great time. Here are some other things that you’ll need to plan ahead for:

  • Choosing activities.
  • Planning and shopping for meals
  • Preparing and packing gear and other equipment

Gear

You should also bring some extra gear with you since kids need more things to keep them entertained. Here are some things you might want to bring with you:

  • Extra clothes and warm clothes
  • Kid-safe insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain gear
  • Toys, games, and activities
  • Familiar bedtime pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals
  • Flashlights and glow sticks
  • Kid snacks
  • Plenty of drinks

Activities

Furthermore, you should stick to doing kid-friendly activities. Here are a few examples:

  • Fishing
  • Short nature walks
  • Scavenger hunts
  • Telling stories
  • Preparing the campfire
  • Teaching them about respecting nature and the importance of safety

If you want, you can also bring with you some board games, music, puzzles, or anything you need to have fun with the little ones.

Be Prepared

Lastly, make sure you always have a backup plan. If anything unpredictable happens, your initial plans might be spoiled. This is why you need to plan something for when that happens. You can prepare some side activities so that the whole experience won’t be ruined.

Camping Guide: With Pets

Do you want to bring your pets with you when you go camping?

Well, this camping guide has you covered.

Pets always bring joy wherever they are. Camping is no exception. If you have a family dog, you can bring it with you, and it will liven up the atmosphere. It can also be an opportunity to bond further with your pet.

Sadly, a lot of campsites and parks don’t allow any domestic pets and will impose heavy fines, so make sure your camping destination allows pets before hitting the road with your furry buddy.

Here are some tips for camping with a pet:

  • Make sure your dog is properly vaccinated.
  • Bring a leash, harness, and an identification tag for your pet.
  • Bring water for your dog. Don’t let him/her drink directing from standing water sources.
  • Don’t change up the diet of your dog. You must pack food, water, and dog bowls with you.
  • Bring bags so you can pick up your dog’s waste.
  • Keep your dog by your side, and don’t let him/her stray away while walking or hiking.
  • Regularly examine them for ticks and thorns.
  • Keep your dog away from dangerous areas of the campsite. This also includes campfires.
  • You can bring your dog’s favorite toys and bedding. This will help them stay calm, and they won’t give you too much trouble.

Camping Checklist

Here’s a comprehensive checklist that you can use to make sure you have everything you need before heading out:

Campsite

CAMPSITE EXTRAS

KITCHEN

CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR

HEALTH & HYGIENE

TOOLS & REPAIRS

PERSONAL ITEMS

You can download the checklist as a PDF here:

You can download the entire guide as a PDF here:

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