Now I know what you are telling yourself…..I’d enjoy to camp, it looks fun but I have no idea how to camp, what things to bring or what things to expect. There are a few things that you really have to determine before you can figure out what you must do to ready for your camping trip. Answering the next basic questions will show you to finding your footing.

1. What type of camping have you made a decision to do? Did you want to RV camp? Camper/Trailer camp? Tent camp? Backpack/Hike camp? Canoe/kayak camp?

Determining the type of camping you should do can aid you in what sort of equipment and expertise is needed. For example, you’ll need a vastly different type of equipment for RV camping versus hiking camping.

Camping descriptions:

RV Camping (or recreational vehicle camping) is most like living at home as you bring a furnished vehicle that you basically reside in with you. You can make your RV just as comfy as you prefer. Everything that you need from home can most likely be brought with you in your RV. Whatever you really need to consider are what foods and personal items you want to stock it with. This sort of camping is normally for the people who don’t like to “rough it” but also might like to be social because so many times RV are parked fairly near one another or in similar sections. Though there are several normal maintenance items with RVs, you basically park them and reside in them.

Camper or Trailer camping is a step more rugged than RV camping. Often campers or trailers do not have showers or toilets, unlike most RVs. With respect to the camper or trailer, a refrigerator will not be included either. Generally, camper or trailer camping is more for those who don’t like to sleep on the floor or be worried about severe weather but still want to get on the market.

Tent camping is generally more for people who want to “rough it.” Tent camping requires you to think about your entire basic needs ahead of time (food, hygiene, restroom requirements, shelter, seeing at night, warmth). There are varying degrees of tent camping aswell. Some people prefer to bring a tent and look for all of their needs while others prefer to camp in more remote areas from people. Packing for a tent camping trip could be time consuming because you have to think about everything you might need.

Backpacking or Hiking camping is a bit more for the experienced campers. Think about it…everything you think you are going to need you have to be in a position to strap to your back and carry it for quite a distance. You have to be in a position to pack well and pack light!

Canoe/kayak camping is similar to hiking camping in regards to packing but you have to add another element. You must make sure that everything is waterproof. Canoe/kayak camping will be for the more experienced camper not to mention, for people who know how to canoe and/or kayak.

Tips for camping situations:

RV Camping – Check around and do research before you decide on an RV for sale. Talk to people who already own them and ask them what they like and don’t like about their unique model. Go to RV dealerships and walk by way of a bunch of them. Maybe, go so far as renting an RV on a little trip to see everything you do or can’t stand about RV camping.

Camper/Trailer Camping – Because there could not be amenities such as a refrigerator, more setup and forethought is required. You most likely must purchase a cooler or two to help keep your meal and beverages chilled. Also, you may have to think about generators if you want to perform electrical items. Though you may have beds in the camper you may have to place bedding in.

Tent Camping – Think about the type of tent camping you would like to do. Does my tent need to be lightweight? Waterproof? Wind sturdy? What size tent do I need (family size or just for me personally)? What terrain am i going to be camping on? A good camping tent can make all the difference on your trip.

Backpacking/Hiking Camping – Search for lightweight supplies, as you have to carry them all. Equipment research into lighter weight sturdy hiking backpacks is a good idea. Always check in advance if the area you wish to hike and camp allows visitors to do so. Pay attention to “no trespassing” signs and heed them. Check your weather! You should know what equipment to pack for the elements. It is also recommended that you camp with a buddy. In the event something should happen, there should be somebody who can go get help.

Canoe/kayak Camping – It may be advisable to take some canoe or kayak lessons (and swimming lessons) before trying a camping trip in this way. Perhaps you may wish to rent a canoe or kayak to be sure you like the experience before diving in.

2. Where have you decided to go camping? Are you going to be camping in the Desert? Beach? Forest/woods?

This is a essential question to answer to be able to figure out your main needs. You’d prepare very differently for desert camping than you’ll for camping in the forest.

In Desert camping temperatures can have extreme ranges from the heat of your day to the cold of the night time. The biggest threats (a lot of the year) in the desert are the sun and dehydration. It is crucial to safeguard yourself with sunscreen and drink a lot of water. As Camping and hiking experiences of dry air you are not aware of just how much you are perspiring since it evaporates so quickly off your skin.

Beach camping is very nice but you should prepare for it. Due to the nature of sand it is difficult to weigh things down with normal tent stakes. There are tent stakes that are much longer for this specific purpose. You also should be prepared for the possibility that sand could easily get into everything. Based on how deep in the sand you’d like to go you should take into account the vehicle you’re using to obtain there. Again, with the type of sand it can be difficult to dig yourself back out. You may wish to bring a shovel or random piece of wood.

Forest/woods are usually great for shelter from rainstorms and sun. They are also great for hammocks but you have to be aware of biting insects and certain itchy plants. Bug spray will be a huge recommendation for camping in the woods.

3. When or what time of the entire year are you currently going camping?

Figuring out what type of weather you are likely to have to deal with while camping is key. Personally, I believe this is the most important information required to plan a proper camping trip. Of course if you have an RV, these details probably doesn’t help you because you aren’t exposed to the elements.

Colder weather camping obviously requires warmer clothes but you may wish to look at a warmer camping sleeping bag regardless of what method of shelter you are using.

Wetter weather camping implies that your terrain may be more difficult to deal with. For anyone who is tent camping, it might be recommended to lay a tarp under your tent, look for slightly higher ground to pitch your tent and always use your rain flys.

In hotter weather always make sure to help keep yourself hydrated. If you bring your water with you, bring lots. When you are hiking camping, you might wish to look at a water treatment or perhaps a camping water filter.

Congratulations on taking pick toward camping by answering these preliminary questions. You are now on the way to planning for a camping trip tailored more to your specific needs and desires.

Below is a set of general what to take camping. Please take as a result what works best for you personally as well as your situation. Note: Personal items ought to be included at your discretion.

What to take camping:

FIRST AID/SURVIVAL KIT

Prescribed medications

Snake bite kit

Calamine lotion

Insect repellent

Distilled water

Rubbing alcohol

Cotton balls or cotton swabs

Bandages

Moleskin (for sore feet)

Tweezers

Needles

Feminine products

Scissors

Thermometer

Individually wrapped gauze pads

Adhesive tape

Antiseptic

Clean old towel or part of bed sheet folded up

Steristrips (to hold cuts together)

Aspirin

Motion sickness medicine

Pepto Bismol

Aromatic ammonia

Glucose packs (for diabetics)

Water purifying tablets or filtration kit

Razor blades

Waterproof matches & container

Whistle

Solid knife

Hydrogen peroxide

BASICS

Tent (tarp, stakes, rain fly)

Sleeping bag (sleeping pad at under or air bed)

Pillow

Small hatchet

Flash lights (& good extra batteries)

Camping lanterns (with fuel or good extra batteries)

Disposable butane lighter

Compass

Maps

Hammock

Cooler (& ice)

Water (and/or water filter or water purification tablets)

Clothing (weather appropriate)

Hat

Sunglasses

Good walking shoes

Personal toiletries

Pocket knife

Canteen (or hydration pack)

Firewood (bring or buy at campsite)

Backpack (and/or day pack)

Camping

Games (cards, frisbee, small portable games)

Camera (& good batteries)

S’mores fixings (large marshmallows, graham crackers & Hershey’s� chocolate)

COOKING?

Obviously food (canned & packaged usually do well)

Stove (& fuel or charcoal) or a grill or dutch oven

Pot & pan (and cooking utensils if planning to cook)

Cups & plates & eating utensils

Re-sealable plastic bags

Plastic containers

Paper towel or napkins

Note: If there are bear boxes where you camp…..utilize them!

THINGS OFTEN FORGOTTEN

Can opener

Wine bottle opener

Utensils

Towels

Soap (dish soap & bar soap)

IN CASE…

Flares

Folding shovel

Tea bags

Broth cubes

Poncho

Candles

Rope or cord (12′ to 24′)

Signal mirror

MREs (military term for “meals prepared to eat”)

Suturing kit (for extreme cases)

Fish kit (& 15′ of 10 lbs. line & sinkers & 35mm film container & fish hooks)

Water filter or water purification tablets

Lifejackets (camping near water)

Baking soda (for toothpaste, insect bites, antacid, odors, etc.)