5 Camping Tips for Any Serious Adventurer
If you are new to camping, beginning the journey can seem like a scary endeavor. But it doesn’t have to be. With a bit of research, investing in some gear and starting out small, these camping tips can help you be well on your way to being an awesome camper.
Start small and plan a one or two night car camping trip to your local state park campground. This way you have controlled your setting and will be undoubtedly be around other people who may be willing to lend you a hand in case setting up your tent starts to feel more like a game of Jenga. To get started on planning your next adventure, here are 5 camping tips to get you on your way.
Don’t Skimp on Gear
The most important thing is that you don’t skimp on your gear that you are deciding to buy. Don’t go for the cheaper option just to save a few dollars. People often say that you get what you pay for and this is particularly true with a lot of camping gear, especially tents. If you did decide to go with the cheaper option, it would more likely be prone to leakage and made from poorer quality materials. This can often cost you more to fix in the future and will cause you more hassle. Go for a tent brand like a Coleman or CORE Equipment where you are guaranteed a better quality product that is going to last you a long time!
Photo credit: Kuhnml
Maintain your Equipment
With all camping gear it is likely to take some punishment after many uses you it is very important that you maintain your equipment to give it the best amount of longevity as possible. For example, tents are prone to leakage usually on the seams that join the materials together. This is because some companies apply a waterproofing coating to the materials before they are sown together and that same coating isn’t reapplied to the seams after, this sometimes causes leakage. The easy and simple solution to this is to buy some silicon spray, you should simply apply this spray to both the inside and outside of each of the seams to make them fully waterproof for that upcoming thunderstorm!
Another common issue with tents is the zipper on the door becoming damaged. This is often because of poor manoeuvrability, an easy solution to this is to rub a bar of soap along the exposed teeth of the zipper to make it more lubricated. This works because soap is made from mostly wax with acts brilliantly as a lubricant.
Photo credit: Ted
Buy a Lantern
When people go camping they often don’t consider buying a lantern instead, instead they may use flashlights. While I think bringing flashlights is a good idea, I think having a lantern will allow you to illuminate a large area 360 degrees which simply a flashlight cannot do. Lanterns are the perfect choice to hang in the top middle of a tent. A lantern with a light source of 300 lumens would be ideal for any sized tent or any large area.
Photo credit: woodleywonderworks
Choose a Tent that Suits Your Needs
A tent is the most important aspect for any camper, so you should think wisely about your decision. For example, if you are in a climate that is warmer but also has the possibility of rain choosing a tent made from a canvas material would be an excellent choice. Canvas offers breathability that the typical polyester just can’t match, it also offers waterproofing if and when needed.
Another example would be if you like a lot of space it would be a good decision to go with a cabin tent. Cabin tents are more upright and offer more space and real estate inside to move around in. Of course a cabin tent is not ideal for everyone, if you are a hiker camping in more exposed areas having a dome style tent would be a better decision as they are more structurally sound when dealing with stronger winds. When you find one of the best tents to suit your needs your camping experience is going to be so much better!
Photo credit: Morten Skogly
Bring Bug Spray
While bringing bug spray may not be necessary for every camper, if you are camping in the warmer months it would definitely be a wise decision to bring some with you. I can’t recall how many times I have went camping and forget to bring some with me and it came back to bite me in the ass quite literally! The same can be said for sun screen, it’s a good idea to bring some with you on your next expedition!
Photo credit: Mike Mozart
Camping, buying tents, going on adventures is a learned skill. The more you do it, the better you will get at it and hopefully these camping tips will help get you on your way. You will learn what works well for you and what doesn’t. With some practice and some decent gear you will be on your way to enjoyable camping before you know it.
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*This post was written by third party writer David Grey. All photos in this post are used under creative commons license and appropriate attribution has been given to each photographer.
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Some good tips for us beginning campers (I’d rather have the bug spray and not need it than the other way around).
Us too! Although….we always seem to carry around bug spray and not use it. Hmmm…might have to try to improve that more. 🙂
I liked the comment at the end of article that camping is a “learned skill” but perhaps
should have added how adaptable camping is to all stages of life, eh?
Good article and I enjoyed it
mare
Good point! Yes, camping can be so much more adaptable to all the stages of life. Having the right gear is essential to having an enjoyable time. 🙂
Great information on tents and camping essentials. If I ever get to camp, I know who I will go to for advice! 🙂
Haha…if you ever get to camp. 😉 Well I hope you do!!!! And when your camping make sure you enjoy some chocolate. 😉
This is so informative tips. This can be as good for beginners too. Its better to be ready and all geared up before camping. Thank you for sharing this, I enjoy reading it.
Thanks Carl! With the right gear and a bit of practice, camping can be one of the most enjoyable and affordable ways to enjoy traveling either in the States or abroad.
I really agree on pont about choosing good tent and have a good camping adventure. Because when was starting to travel on camping i bought a tent from big supermarket. IT was a nightmare. After first rain we were all wet and freezing, another problem was number of flies inside the tent. Time of setup also was very high etc. I really advise to buy good gear especially tent and sleeping bag.
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This is so helpful! It’s my first time to go camping next week. Good thing I came across this article. I hope you’d continue to share your knowledge with everyone! Thanks Author
As someone who is interested in getting into camping this post has some great tips to get me started. I like to be prepared when doing something new so I will definitely make sure I have the gear I need. Thanks for sharing.
Your tip on bringing bug spray is spot on! When you’re camping in the US you’ll prevent a lot of itching, but when you’re overseas it’s even more important with the threat of malaria.
I always carry my bug spray along with a lightweight mosquito net to make sure I have a great trip outdoors!
These are extremely useful tips for campers. I always carry a flood flashlight with me instead of a lantern, but I suppose a lantern would make my luggage easier to work with. And yes I agree, a bug spray is very essential, especially when camping in the US.
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Hey Tiffany,
So After reading this article it brought back memories for when I first started camping. Camping has changed over the years from when I was a kid but alot of things about camping still stays relativity the same.
The tips on a good camping tent is ideal especially if your new to it. Coleman as a brand are very good when it comes to tents, their quality speaks for itself. I totally agree space inside is needed.
Bug spray is definatley needed I get alot of bites especially in the summer. Having a lantern certainly makes a world of difference and i still carry a flashlight with me just incase.
I’m a heavy beleiver in you get what you pay for, when it comes to buying camping gear i try not to cheap out on equipment, I tend to look at it as a long term investment I try to buy equipment that will last me for at least 2 to 3 years 😉 But Like you said it’s about looking after your equipment as much as you can 😉
Great article and enjoyed reading it.
I’ve been wanting to go camping for a while, but I am in desperate need of gear. I had no idea that you could pick tents based on the climate. The area where I am camping is known for rain, so I would need material that works well with it. It might be a good idea check out an army disposal store to see if they have high quality material. Waking up in a flooded tent is the last thing that I want.
I was glad to see you have but spray on the list of 5. Annoying bugs can make or break a camping trip, especially if you are camping with kids. Bugs are just one of those little things that will constantly drive you nuts, no matter how good your equipment is. Thanks for the tips.
Great informative post with good points. Being grateful as you posted such a useful and informative post. I would like to save it for later. Thanks a lot for sharing your great thoughts. Looking forward for more from you
Dear tiffany, Really worth to read tips about camping.
Camping is my hobby and I liked to make it profession.
Latern is the good idea.
Thanks
My kids love playing outdoors and these tips are super beneficial for them. Thanks a lot for sharing. This is a great help!
Thanks for the tip on getting a lantern that has at least 300 lumens. This would be the ideal lighting for those dark nights so nobody trips or falls. My family is kind of clumsy so we should probably get a few lanterns just in case.
Camping is always fun and the element of discovery is always present. I couldn’t agree more in this post!
I love camping so much. Thanks for your great article. I think your all tips will help me with my next camping.
I agree you get what you pay for in camping gear, and bug spray great idea overlooked for sure.
Thank you for sharing us such nice tips. I think that the canvas tent is good but it’s heavier than the nylon tent so It’s a little bit difficult for us in going to the remote area.
Nice write up right there..I will definitely share this article
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got to have a lantern for sure. good point
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Couldn’t agree more on these 5 points, especially bug spray.
Do you have any advice for chemical free bug spray for kids?
Hey Tiffani… Following and loving your tips. Great article.
You’re totally right about the gear. My sister bought a cheap-o tent (against my advice), and it leaked everywhere during a light rain storm. You’ve got to make sure that you get quality stuff!
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My wife and I have been wanting to take our three young girls out camping this fall. We think it would be a great idea to get back to nature and take a break from all things technology. I love how you suggested that a cabin tent is a great option if you’re needing more room since the tent is upright and will give you more space. We’ll have to find a place that offers outdoor equipment to see what might best suit our needs. s
Great tips for both beginner level and advanced campers.
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