Do you feel like you want to get outdoors and relax out in nature? Planning a camping trip is the best thing to accomplish that. When planning your next camping trip, all you need is to find a camping ground, choose your route, buy or prepare the camping gear you will need, buy everything you will need like grocery shopping, cooking essentials, and lastly, pick a date.
If you feel overwhelmed about preparing before going for your next camping trip, this article is a complete guide to planning for your next camping trip.
Where to go
Deciding on which campgrounds to plan your camping trip is the first step in planning your trip. There are two types of camping grounds; private and public campgrounds. Choosing either option has pros and cons, but finding a good camping ground can be challenging.
However, you can go online and Google campgrounds and check some of the reviews other people have left about these sites. This will give you a general idea of the different experiences each camping site offers. Using resources like Trailer life or AAA is also helpful. They will help you gather all the information you need to check if a camping ground is good for you.
The campgrounds you choose will also depend on whether you will go with an RV or use tents. This is because some grounds are more tent friendly than others. Some come with all the amenities you may need, like showers, flush toilets, and the like. Some camping grounds will not have all the amenities you will need. So when you are choosing the place to set up your campsite, ensure you consider that.
There are also public parks that offer camping grounds for campers and give you the feel of the outdoors minus the modern amenities or go for modern campgrounds that come with modern amenities, a pool, and even a game room.
Take note that some campgrounds will require you to book reservations while others work on a first-come, first-book basis. If you are planning your camping trip around a holiday such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, or Fourth of July, ensure you get there early enough to get a space. If you are making reservations, do it early enough.
What you will need
You will need to write down a list of everything you might need on the trip, then cross it out as you buy and pack to ensure you have everything. While some things are not that important, there is some stuff you can survive without when camping.
Essential things to get first are where you will stay, that’s a tent, a sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough, and food. If you will be cooking, get some groceries and a few cooking items.
Now that you’ve bought your sleeping gear, you need to get supplies. Food and water are definitely a must. Bathroom essentials and toiletries you can pack in your vegan tote bag. If you want to shower, you can get a camp shower. You may also want to consider getting a lantern for lighting at night or a torch, some rain gear for everyone because you never know with the weather, a knife, and anything else you may need to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Don’t forget to pack a first aid kit; this is very important. You may be camping somewhere far in the wild, and you never know when a first aid kit may come in handy.
Setting up your camp
When you arrive at your preferred camping ground, you will need to check in at the office or your camp host. Find a great site that you will be comfortable setting up for the entire weekend or time you will be there. The campsites with shade are usually prime, which most people prefer, so ensure you get early to get a perfect spot.
Once you get your spot, it’s time to set up your camp. Set up your tent as soon as you get there, unpack tour supplies and cooking essentials, arrange your sleeping area and settle in.
Once you settle in, be respectful to your neighboring campers, keep the area clean and watch out for wildlife around you.
Once your weekend is over, and it’s time to go back home, ensure once you are done taking down your tent and packing everything to leave your campsite clean. Ensure your fire is put out completely, carry all your trash, and pack all your gear.
Camping activities
The activities you indulge in during camping will make up for the time and help avoid getting bored, especially if you are camping with family and children. When out camping, electronics and games are definitely out of the question unless you are camping with an RV. Modern RVs are equipped with a generator that can power up electronics. But if you are camping in the wild and in a tent, you will have to come up with fun activities to keep yourself or the kids entertained.
If you are lucky enough to set up camp near water, you try out the following activities;
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Water skiing
- diving
Some other activities you can partake in that don’t require water are;
- cycling
- hiking
- bug hunting with the kids
- geocaching
- scavenger hunt
- kite flying
- photography
- playing football
- volleyball
- badminton
- rock climbing
- Frisbee
Some activities that you partake in a while inside the tent while it’s raining or at night are;
- journaling
- reading a book
- arts and crafts for the kids
- yoga or meditate
- relaxing in a hammock
- storytelling
- stargazing
- making s’mores
- sharing stories around a campfire
Going camping is a fun adventure away from the busy city life. It’s a time to bond with family out in nature. But before you go camping, ensure you have carefully selected your destination. Buy everything you need and have a checklist to tick everything as you pack. Once at the campsite, observe simple courtesy and lastly, ensure you have planned out the activities you will be doing while camping to kill boredom.