What You Need to Know Before You Go Camping

Even for the most urban of creatures, the call of the wild can come at any time. When you’re unable to resist it any longer, you’ll inevitably end up on the internet, searching page after page for the perfect campsite. Perhaps you’ve even booked one already. Before you tell the kids, there are a few things you should know about camping, especially if this is your first time. 

1. Pick the Right Pack 

Whether you camping with little kids or adult children, it’s important that everyone wears their own backpack. Just imagine the hassle of unstrapping your sack every time someone wants a snack or a sip of water. You’ll be stopping every 10 minutes! Choose packs based on how long you plan to camp and the length of your spine. Visit your nearest outdoor adventure store to fit everyone for a pack and find the right ones for your trip. 

2. Grab Quality Gadgets 

The type of gear you need for your camping trip will depend on a variety of factors, including weather, location and time of year. However, there are a few essential pieces of equipment that practically anyone could benefit from having. In addition to basic tools like flashlights and pocket knives, you might also pack a GPS tracker in case you get lost or someone injures themselves. Just a press of the button and help will be on the way. 

3. Check the Weather

Before you head out on your grand adventure, remember to check the weather. Clouds can roll in at a moment’s notice and rain on your parade, so you must prepare for anything and everything. If conditions look less than favorable, you can reschedule for a different weekend or simply bring all the gear you need to tough it out. However, you must familiarize yourself with local weather forecasts if you’re to prepare well and still have fun in the rain, snow, sleet or whatever else comes your way. 

4. Dress for Success 

Once you know what kind of weather and temperatures you’ll be camping in, it’s time to pack your clothes. Assemble outfits that allow you to easily layer one item on top of another. That way you can add or remove items to stay comfortable in changing conditions and tough terrain. If you plan to sit outside at night, bring clothes that will protect your skin from mosquitos, ticks and other biting insects. Make sure they’re items you don’t mind getting dirty. You will be outside, after all!

5. Prep Campfire Food

Cooking over a campfire, grill or small propane stove sounds difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can prep most of your meals at home so everything’s ready when you arrive at the campsite. For instance, you can chop toppings for cast iron pizza and store each ingredient in its own Ziploc bag until the dinner’s ready for assembly. Foil packet, shish kabobs and mason jar meals also allow for pre-trip prepping so you have delicious food and time for more outdoor fun. 

6. Pack Snacks

Of course, you’ll also need food to fuel you on long hikes, which is why you should pack plenty of portable snacks. This tip is especially important if you have you’re camping with kids because they eat more often than adults. Granola bars, trail mix, pretzels and dry cereal are obvious choices because they don’t require refrigeration. However, apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, celery sticks and other foods are also shelf-stable. Plus, they’ll provide everyone with the nutrients and energy necessary to hike in and set up camp.  

7. Bring Toiletries

You’d be surprised how many people go camping and forget to pack toiletries. Whether you have running water or not, you still have to brush your teeth and wash your hands at the very least. If your campsite lacks a flushable toilet, you’ll also want toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products and a way to dispose of them. Pack it in, pack it out and leave no trace. You know the drill. 

8. Plan for Emergencies 

Regardless of how well you plan and prepare, accidents still happen. When disaster strikes, you must have the right equipment to keep everyone safe and healthy. Packing a first aid kit is a good place to start. However, you may also need flares, bear mace, a water purifier, pocket radio and other supplies depending on what you might face out in the wilderness. The more you can ready yourself for “what ifs,” the more confident and capable you’ll be when things go south. 

Making Memories in the Wild

With so much to think about and remember, you might wonder whether camping is really worth the effort. Why leave all the comforts of home behind to traipse around in the wilderness? Well, it turns out there are plenty of health benefits from going camping, many of which you can’t easily get indoors. From boosting productivity and memory to lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure, there are endless advantages to pitching a tent and calling it home for a night. 

Oh, and you don’t have to rough it to make memories. Keep your trip simple, short and sweet. Make a packing list and check it twice. When your camping trip finally comes to an end all your hard work will have been worth it. Why? In the end, you’ll only remember the fun you had in the wild as a family, not the time and effort it took to make it happen.