Now I understand everything you are telling yourself.....I would really like to camp, it looks fun but I've no idea how to camp, what to bring or what to expect. There are many things that you really have to determine before you can figure out what you ought to do to ready for your camping trip. Answering the following basic questions will show you to locating your footing.
1. What type of camping have you made a decision to do? Did you wish 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 type 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 possib living at home as you bring a furnished vehicle that you basically reside in with you. You can create your RV just as comfy as you like. Everything that you will need from home can probably be brought with you in your RV. All you really need to think about are what foods and personal items you would like to stock it with. This kind of camping is generally for the people who do not like to "rough it" but additionally might prefer to be social since many times RV are parked fairly near each other 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 just a step more rugged than RV camping. Often campers or trailers don't have showers or toilets, unlike most RVs. Depending on the camper or trailer, a refrigerator might not be included either. Generally, camper or trailer camping is more for people 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 normally more for those who would want to "rough it." Tent camping requires one to think about all your basic needs in advance (food, hygiene, restroom requirements, shelter, seeing during the night, warmth). There are actually varying degrees of tent camping aswell. Some people like to bring a tent and look for all their needs while others like to camp in more remote areas away from people. Packing for a tent camping trip could be time consuming because you have to think of everything you may need.
Backpacking or Hiking camping is a little more for the experienced campers. Consider it...everything you think you are going to need you need to be able to strap to your back and make it for quite a distance. You have to be in a position to pack well and pack light!
Canoe/kayak camping is much like hiking camping in regards to packing but you have to add another element. You have to 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.
Recommendations for camping situations:
RV Camping - Shop around and do research before you decide on an RV for purchase. Talk to people who already own them and have them what they like and don't like about their particular model. Head to RV dealerships and walk by way of a bunch of them. Maybe, go as far as renting an RV on a small trip to see everything you do or don't like about RV camping.
Camper/Trailer Camping - Because there might not be amenities just like a refrigerator, more setup and forethought is necessary. You most likely will have to purchase a cooler or two to keep your meal and beverages chilled. Also, you might have to think about generators if you want to perform electrical items. If you might have beds in the camper you could have to put bedding in.
Tent Camping - Think about the kind of tent camping you would like to do. Does my tent must be lightweight? Waterproof? Wind sturdy? What size tent do I want (family size or simply for me)? 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 must carry all of them. Equipment research into lighter weight sturdy hiking backpacks is a good idea. Always check in advance if the area you intend to hike and camp allows visitors to do so. Focus on "no trespassing" signs and heed them. Check your weather! You have to know what equipment to pack for the weather. Additionally it is recommended that you camp with a buddy. In case something should happen, there must be a person who can go get help.
Canoe/kayak Camping - It may be advisable to take some canoe or kayak lessons (and swimming lessons) before attempting a camping trip in this way. Perhaps you may wish to rent a canoe or kayak to ensure you like the activity before diving in.
2. Where have you went camping? Will you be camping in the Desert? Beach? Forest/woods?
This is a very important question to answer so as to figure out your primary needs. You'd prepare very differently for desert camping than you would for camping in the forest.
In Desert camping temperatures might have extreme ranges from heat of the day to the cold of the night. The largest threats (a lot of the year) in the desert will be the sun and dehydration. It is crucial to safeguard yourself with sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Because of the dry air you aren't aware of how much you are perspiring because it evaporates so quickly off your skin.
Beach camping is quite nice nevertheless, you should prepare for it. As a result of 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 must be prepared for the chance that sand could get into everything. Depending on how deep in the sand you would like to go you should think about the vehicle you're using to obtain there. Again, with the nature of sand it can be difficult to dig yourself back out. You might desire to bring a shovel or random piece of wood.
Forest/woods are usually ideal for shelter from rainstorms and sun. Also, they are great for hammocks but you have to be alert to biting insects and certain itchy plants. Bug spray would be a huge recommendation for camping in the woods.
3. When or what time of the entire year are you going camping?
Figuring out which kind of weather you will have to deal with while camping is key. Personally, I believe this is the most significant information necessary to plan an effective camping trip. Needless to say for those who 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 nevertheless, you may wish to look at a warmer camping sleeping bag whatever method of shelter you are using.
Wetter weather camping means that your terrain may be more difficult to manage. In case you are tent camping, it could be recommended to lay a tarp under your tent, look for slightly higher ground to pitch your tent and always utilize your rain flys.
In hotter weather always make sure to keep yourself hydrated. In the event that you bring your water with you, bring lots. If you are hiking camping, you may wish to look at a water treatment or a camping water filter.
Congratulations on taking your first step toward camping by answering these preliminary questions. You are now on the way to arranging a camping trip tailored more to your unique needs and desires.
Below is a set of general what to take camping. Please take from it what works best for you and your situation. Note: Outdoor adventures for families 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 perhaps a grill or dutch oven
Pot & pan (and cooking utensils if likely to cook)
Cups & plates & eating utensils
Re-sealable plastic bags
Plastic containers
Paper towel or napkins
Note: If you can find 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 ready 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.)