10 Tips for the Novice Camper
BY Kevin Gibbons
With the high cost of gas, many people are changing their vacation plans, canceling them entirely in favor of the "stay-cation," or significantly scaling them back to manage their finances. At $15-20 per car, tent camping is becoming more and more popular. If you haven't tried camping before but are now considering it, here are ten tips to get you started on the right foot.
- Choose the right location. There are campsites at beaches, in woods, in deserts, mountains, even in the middle of some cities. Pick an area that is interesting to you and then look for nearby campsites. You can search on the web by putting in the area you are interested in and the keyword "camping." Look for "improved" campgrounds. Those are the ones with plumbing facilities and maybe a general store (save the outback sites for when you get a little more experience). Two useful sites are the National Park Service and the Kampgrounds of America.
- Make reservations. Many campsites do have drop in spaces, but if you make reservations, you are guaranteed a spot. Also, you will have the opportunity to reserve the choice site next to the river instead of getting the space right next to the laundry room.
- Buy a cheap tent. Stores like Target, KMart and Wal-Mart sell basic camping tents for about $20. Most tents that are sold at camping stores run about $120 and up. The difference? Weight and durability. The expensive tents are lighter (important if you are backpacking 50 miles) and will last longer. If you decide that you like camping and plan on doing it more than 4 times a year, then you can invest in a good quality tent (I use mine about 8 times a year and I have had it for almost 20 years).
- Buy a good sleeping bag and pad. Get a sleeping bag that is rated for the temperature you expect to be in. You don't want a sub-zero bag if you only go camping at the beach in July. Invest in a good, high quality sleeping pad. Pads make a world of difference between a good night's sleep and a trip full of aches and pains. Go to a major camping store like REI or Any Mountain and ask to try several pads. I have used ThermaRest pads for years and won't use anything else. This is the one piece of gear you do not want to skimp on, even if you are just starting out.
- Practice setting up your tent beforehand and in daylight. Most tents are pretty simple to set up, but in pitch black on unfamiliar ground after a 6 hour drive, you don't want to be reading directions and trying to figure out which poles are the dew cover flies and which are the mainstays.
- Bring lighting. Depending on the phase of the moon, it can get incredibly dark in nature. Bring electric or gas lanterns and practice using them beforehand.
- Prepare your food ahead of time. Most campsites have pits for barbequing, but they tend to be inefficient. It can take a long time to grill those steaks. If you precook your food and then pack it in an ice chest, all you need to do is warm it up on the pit, while enjoying your cocktails.
- Don't bring a pet. Pets require constant attention while camping, both for their safety and the safety of other campers and wildlife. Leave them at home so you and the other campers can enjoy your experience.
- Pack a simple first aid kit. Sprains, burns, scratches and bug bites are all possibilities. If you are prepared, they don't have to mean the end of your vacation.
- Keep an open mind. Camping is an adventure. It is not the same as staying in a hotel, so don't expect it to be. You may get a little dirty. You will be closer to nature. Enjoy it!
Bonus Tip: Rent instead of buy. There are many places that rent or sell used sporting goods such as tents, sleeping bags, and lanterns. One of the biggest is Play It Again Sports. If the thought of climbing into a used sleeping bag gives you the willies, you can always line it with a bed sheet from home.
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