Camping is a great way to explore the outdoors, get fresh air and enjoy nature. It’s a great city escape and staycation for families. If you’re going camping for the first time and are not quite sure how to prepare yourself for it, here a few tips that will help you get started.

Camping Tips For Beginners

• Choose the right campsite

There will be a variety of campsites catered to individuals with different needs. Check for campsites that have the facilities you need for you and whomever you’re going with. Look for child-friendly sites that have showers and toilets or check if dogs are permitted.

As a new camper, it’s best to stay on a campsite with shower and toilet facilities, and a town nearby just in case you need some supplies or somewhere to eat.

• Choose the right tent

Tents come in all sorts of styles and sizes, so it can be difficult to choose one that’s perfect for you. When looking to purchase a tent, always have in mind how many of you are going to sleep in there. Purchase a tent size that can fit two times more than the number of people who will use it. This is so there is more space and it’s comfortable to sleep in. The tent style you choose will depend on what suits your preference.

• Practice pitching your tent

Once you’ve chosen the right tent, you should practice pitching the tent in your back garden. This is so that you know how to set it up and take it down at the campsite without encountering problems.

• Practice camping

Once you’ve mastered pitching your tent, try to practice camping for the night in your back garden. It will help give you an idea of what to expect and will help you prepare yourself in terms of what equipment is appropriate to bring.

• Create a check list

Stay organised and create a checklist to keep track of the items that you will be bringing to make sure that you won’t forget anything when you leave the campsite. 

It’s essential to bring with you the following: a first aid kit, a packet of matches, a flashlight, a sleeping bag, Swiss Army Knife, camping chairs, folding table and cooking equipment.

• Know your camping gear

If you’ve purchased new camping gear, save yourself from fiddling about with your gear at the campsite by trying it out beforehand to see if it works well and you know how to use it.

• Set up properly at the campsite

The best place to set up your tent at the campsite is on level ground that is clear from any rocks/ debris. You don’t want anything ruining the outside of your tent nor disrupting the comfort of your sleep. When setting up your tent, make sure it is facing against the wind (if any) and put pegs at a 45-degree angle in the ground for more stability.

• Know the camping ground rules

It’s essential to get accustomed to the rules of the campsite to avoid unwanted issues during your stay there. Some campsite rules are to respect the space and privacy of other campers, keep the noise level low, and keep facilities and the area clean.

• Plan meals in advance

If the campsite you’ve chosen allows campfires, prepare your meals in advance to make cooking meals at the campsite easier. Camp meals should be portable, non-perishable and nutritious! Bring food items that are easy to cook, like canned foods and eggs, and bring snacks like fruit and oat bars. 

Research nearby markets and restaurants if your campsite does not allow campfires.

• Bring enough clothing

It’s okay to overpack clothes when you go camping as the weather conditions in the area can be unpredictable and may require you to need different pieces of clothing. There are also no laundry facilities on site, so it’s best to bring extra clothes to be on the safe side.

After your camping trip, you may have a ton of laundry to do, especially if you went as a family. Save yourself the hassle and schedule a collection with Laundryheap. We’ll have your clothes returned to you as good as new within 24 hours. Our services are available in areas within the UK, Dublin, the Netherlands and UAE.