Beginners’ Preparation For Your First Camping Trip

Equipment options for camping have evolved greatly over the years so understanding your options and knowing your limits is vital. You will find vast options as you begin your planning preparations such as cost, quality, flexibility, environment options, sizing, and safety should be key components as you put your basic inventory together.

Understanding your limits and abilities: There are a vast variety of unique activities to do while camping offered in State, National, and other Public camping areas. As you begin planning your trip consider the number of people that will be enjoying their the first adventure. Target your group physical abilities and interest are very important in regards to your site location. Group interest such as swimming, hiking, rafting or bird watching would be some considerations. You want to avoid injuries and dampen the trip experience on your first adventure. Planning your first trip: – Site Location can involve, in some cases, Permits and Regulations. It is important if they are required to secure these and understanding that size of your group. If you select a State or National Park there will be rules and regulations you should be aware of such as Food Storage/Disposal, Fire, and even Pet Rules. – Outdoor Conditions concerning your location selection and safety could very well come into play. Consideration of such possible hazards, for example, are altitude, weather, and even specific wildlife in the area. – Saftey Concerns to avoid attracting Wildlife to your campsite! Food Storage, keeping your site clean, feeding wildlife and even eating in your tent. I suggest that you have the group police the area every day picking up ALL trash and placing it in a secure container to avoid scents. Make sure you have a quality first aid kit for scrapes, abrasions, or cuts

– An Emergency Plan should be done to plan for the worst. Names and contact information for all attendees is a great start. You can add your location, planned departure, and return. Include details pertaining to planned group activities. Develop a buddy plan for those in the group that want to do their own little hike and avoid getting lost. If your campsite is a managed property get their emergency phone number. Leave a copy of all this information with a family friend or relative for reference if needed. – Equipment Needed for any trip will always have variables depending on location, time of year, duration and difficulty. Extra Food and Water, Tent(# of people), proper clothing to handle any type of weather change, Sun and Insect protection, tools, illumination, Navigation supplies. Please note that once you secured your inventory it is important to test out your equipment and try it out before you get to your location! The last place you want to try and familiarize yourself is once you are at the site. Set up the tent, test Nav Gear, try on back pack or boots. You will avoid distraction and make setting up camp and comfort a lot less stressful.