So, you have decided that it is time to take your family or friends and go on an exciting journey through the picturesque corners of nature. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing difficult in this. Tent, sleeping bag, food and that’s all - the rest will be a success! In fact, everything is more complicated. You will make sure of it by yourself after your first trip (or you already have). In camping, details are very important and they will help to facilitate your stay in nature and make your vacation unforgettable.
But not every tourist knows all the details of good preparation for such a vacation. That is why we decided to consider in this article several tent camping tips for beginners.
Camping place needs to be pitched before dark. It will be much faster. After all, to hold a flashlight in one hand and pitch a tent with the other is not very convenient.
It is desirable that the place you chose was near the trees. So you protect the tent from the wind and if necessary you can hang a flashlight or other things on the branches.
Before you set up a tent, carefully study the surface on which you will put it. It should be smooth (so that you can sleep comfortably and not roll aside all night) and soft. At the same time, the surface must be solid enough so that during the rain the pegs from the tent remain in the ground.
One of the most important points when camping is a quality tent that does not get wet in the rain and which will not be blown away with the slightest gust of wind. This requires a big investment, but if you are planning to go on such a holiday regularly, it is worth it.
When choosing a tent, it is necessary to take into account how many people will spend the night in it, what kind of climate in the area you are going to visit, how easy is to assemble the tent, and whether it is convenient to transport. You can read more in our article How To Choose The Best And Biggest Camping Tent.
Despite the fact that you are traveling in the warm season, nights in nature can be very cold. Therefore, it is better to choose a warmer sleeping bag. If you feel hot, you can unzip the zipper at any time. But if you are cold, you will have to wait until the morning comes, because getting warm at night is not a piece of cake.
If you go camping in winter, then the usual sleeping bags will not suit you. It is necessary to buy warmed products. Learn more about the difference between summer and winter sleeping bags in our article The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags
Bundled with a sleeping bag you need to buy a rug that will provide an additional layer of insulation between the body and the ground. This will help to protect you from the coldness and provide additional comfort. Plus, the rug is small enough and light.
For more comfort, you can take earplugs and a pillow.
If you are going to spend several nights in the lap of nature, you need to take care of the lighting in advance. If you plan to spend the evening by the fire, then you may not need additional lighting, but the lighting device will be useful in the tent if you want to warm yourself in a sleeping bag and read a book or listen to music. In addition, the lantern will serve as a deterrent factor for wild animals.
If you attach a lantern to a plastic bottle with water, then you will get a very effective diffused light that can fully illuminate any tent.
Be sure to take insect repellent. Avoid contact with wildlife. Annoying mosquitoes and various beetles, bees and wasps, and sometimes even hungry bears in search of food can ruin any rest.
Stock up in advance with all the necessary insect repellents, as well as purchase pepper spray that will protect you from wild animals. Indeed, in remote places, there may be predators that will be attracted by the smell of food, especially if it is fried meat.
Such a spray is very convenient to use in nature. You can spray its contents not only on your clothes but also on other things (for example, a tent, sleeping bags). It is compatible for use even on fragile fabrics such as silk, plus all synthetics and waterproof membrane fabrics. A spray can also be applied to dogs. It safely bonds with the dog's hair and penetrates the skin to help control.
An insect bracelet is a great option for those who don't like or can't stand the smell of sprays. You can wear it all the time you are outdoors, as it is light and almost does not honor on your hand. The bracelet is also waterproof, so rain is not a hindrance. You can attach it to your things if you do not want to carry it on your hand.
This bracelet is safe, it can be worn by children and animals.
The kit includes 6 or 12 bracelets, so you can protect the whole family from insects.
If you are not an opponent of ointments, then this option is perfect for you. This ointment is made from natural ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, castor oil, lemongrass oil, rosemary oil, cedarwood oil, and peppermint oil. It creates a pleasant fragrance that doesn’t leave a greasy residue and feels refreshing on your skin.
The jar is very small and light, so you can carry it even in your pocket.
In nature, it is not so easy to make a fire, especially if you only have matches or a lighter. An additional problem is a moisture, which nullifies all attempts to ignite firewood.
Therefore, it is better to purchase a special lightweight and compact “incendiary set”. Cardboard sleeve from toilet paper plus an old dry cloth. First, you set fire to this construction, and it already sets fire to the wood.
Dress properly. Do not treat the rest at the campsite as a walk down the street. Of course, you can bring an outfit for a photo session, but the basic clothing is required. Practicality, practicality, and once again practicality - this is what you should be guided by when choosing clothes. In addition, it is worth taking with you an extra set of warm clothes for everyone in case of unexpected cold nights or if the main clothes get wet in the rain.
If you are going to spend time in nature, then you probably want to get rid of all sorts of gadgets and relax in peace with close people. But different situations may occur, therefore it is always better to have a connection with civilization.
In this case, you will need a GPS navigator. Also, do not forget about the portable charging, which can help you if the device is discharged.
Compass and map will not be superfluous as well.
If you take these tips into account, then your journey will bring you only positive emotions.