Every person that’s a beginner in camping and exploring the outdoors has a lot of questions about the activity. Spending a night or two out in the open is more complicated than it sounds, so in order for everything to be under control, you need to prepare well. And once you do, get ready to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, the fresh air and the picturesque surroundings. Camping has quite a positive effect on humans. It reduces stress, improves sleep, improves memory and counts as a great physical exercise.
Get the Right Type of Tent
A camping tent is the first and most important thing you need to pack for your camping adventure. That is if you want to get a good night sleep protected from the wind or rain. Camping tents are made to protect you from any weather condition for that matter and provide you with enough space to rest and store the most important things you carry with you.
You can pick the size of the tent according to how much space you think you need. People that love the extra space get big tents that have the capacity to accommodate two or three persons. When it comes to the other tent features, it is best if your tent has strong aluminium poles, double-stitched and folded seams, a rainfly, the roof went and heavy-duty zippers.
Ideally, you want a tent made from durable nylon material that’s water-resistant and lightweight. Some even have an additional coating that reinforces the water-resisting feature.
Pick a Comfortable Sleeping Bag
Once you have your tent, you can move on to the camp sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are a great solution if you don’t want to sleep through the night on the harsh and cold ground. Sleeping bags also come in sizes and the biggest one is XL. There are all sorts of sleeping bags available and the best ones are designed to withstand even the harshest of conditions and temperatures as low as -19 degrees Celsius.
To get the most out of your sleeping bag pick one that has a mummy shape and box foot for maximum efficiency. The best material for a sleeping bag is nylon, the same as for the tent.
Lately, manufacturers create sleeping bags only by using the latest membrane technology and fabric that’s 100% waterproof and insulating but at the same time light and breathable. Nothing can penetrate this type of sleep bag meaning that you’ll be dry and warm at all times regardless of the conditions outside. For additional insulation around the neck and shoulders make sure to get a camp sleeping bag that has a collar with drawcords so that you can adjust it to your needs.
The stitching is just as important when it comes to sleeping bags. Basically, there are two types of stitches – internal and external. External stitching is more prone to damage, tears or letting water in while with the internal stitching all those malfunctions are avoided.
And of course, you also need to think about transportation. The sleeping bag needs to be as compact and lightweight as possible otherwise, it will be an obstacle for you on your way to the campsite. Thankfully you have compression stuff sacks at your disposal that can compress gear. You do the compression with the help of straps and the end result is nicely packed gear that you can take anywhere with you without thinking about it twice.
After you’re done with the sleeping bag, you need to wash it according to the instruction that comes with it and it will be ready for the next adventure.
Pack a First Aid Kit
The first aid kit is the first thing you need to put in your backpack before going camping. Why? Because accidents happen quite frequently in nature and out there you have no one else to rely on except for yourself. The first aid kit consists out of bandages, disinfectants, pain killers, cotton balls, allergy pills, medical tape, gauze and antibiotic ointment.
In case you get a cut, injure yourself by falling, sprain your ankle or get some sort of an allergy reaction, you’ll be able to take care of the problem fast thanks to the first aid kit. Sometimes even the simplest of injuries can become serious if left untreated. So, you better be prepared and act fast.
Prepare Your Navigation
You can completely rely on your phone and GPS system for navigation but as backup, you should bring a map and a compass with you as well. Electronic devices are not to be trusted especially in nature. You can run out of battery or lose the signal and stay trapped in the middle of nowhere clueless about your next step. Opposite of that, maps and compasses are good old classics that never fail to do the job of showing you the right way no matter where you happen to be.
Bring Flashlights and Batteries
Flashlights come quite handy at night when the sun goes down. I mean yes, the moonlight is amazing but you can’t rely on it solely to function well. Flashlights are compact, lightweight and easy to use, work with the help of batteries and can make your camping nights as bright as day.
The extra batteries serve for keeping all your electronic gadgets and devices alive are must-bring camping accessories to experience nature at its best. Unfortunately, you don’t have the possibility of charging your phone or anything else normally in the woods, but batteries are the second best thing and are really useful in those situations.
Don’t Forget About Food and Water
Depending on how long you plan on camping, you need to calculate the amount of food and water you’re going to need. It’s recommended to take bottled water with you so that you know the water you’re drinking is safe. When it comes to food, you can take canned food (tuna, chicken, ham, beans) and food that doesn’t require a complicated preparation like cereal or homemade sandwiches. Additionally pack a lot of chocolate and granola bars, nuts, crackers, fruits and vegetables and of course coffee and tea.
