| Even the most seasoned of campers was once a | | | | stack clothes or luggage. Even though this is a pretty |
| beginner. Face it, we all have to learn sometime. So, | | | | large tent it folds down to a small size and hardly |
| we have put together these useful tips so that a | | | | takes up any space, so unless you are backpacking, I |
| beginner camper can come up the learning curve a | | | | would recommend going with a larger tent just to be |
| little faster. Maybe this information will help you to avoid | | | | on the safe side. |
| some painful experiences, and better enjoy your first | | | | Make Your First Trip Close to Home |
| few camping trips to the great outdoors. | | | | I would recommend going to a campsite pretty close |
| Make, Use, and Maintain a Camping Checklist | | | | to home (within 1-2 hours) for your first trip. That way if |
| By making and using a camping checklist you have at | | | | anything too terribly wrong happens, then you can just |
| least given some thought to your trip and done a little | | | | drive home. Its always good to get some |
| bit of upfront planning. By using the list you will be much | | | | recommendations on places to go from some of your |
| less apt to forget something critical to your trip. Take | | | | friends that are experienced campers. They will |
| the list along with you and add to it as you think of | | | | probably know some good places to go for your first |
| things that you wished you had brought. This way your | | | | camping trip. |
| list gets better with each trip, and it makes it that much | | | | Be Sure and Take Flashlights |
| easier to plan the next one. | | | | Make sure and take flashlights and check their |
| Be Familiar With Your Camping Gear | | | | batteries prior to the trip to make sure that they are |
| If you have bought a new tent, lantern, cook stove, or | | | | good and strong. Flashlights will be helpful if you are |
| some other gear its a good idea to try these out prior | | | | changing in a dark tent or if you have to get up in the |
| to your camping trip. There is nothing worse than trying | | | | middle of the night and go to the bathroom. We do not |
| to set up a new tent for the first time when its starting | | | | want you stumbling around the woods in the dark do |
| to get dark. This is also true for trailers or tent trailers. | | | | we? Lanterns are also very handy, especially if you |
| Become familiar with their set up prior to your trip, and | | | | want to light up your campsite and play some games |
| get some experience backing them up, so that you do | | | | around the picnic table. These now come with small |
| not have a tough time when you get to the | | | | screw-on propane tanks that are inexpensive and |
| campground. | | | | very easy to use. |
| Set Up Camp Before Dark | | | | Check on Fire Restrictions or Burn Bans |
| Arrive at your campsite early enough the first day so | | | | Check ahead of time and make sure that there are |
| that you have plenty of daylight to get your tent and | | | | not any fire restrictions or burn bans at your |
| other equipment set up. This will get you off to a good | | | | campground. If you are looking forward to a good old |
| start so that you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Be | | | | campfire (and what camper is not?) than you could be |
| aware that it gets dark much earlier when you are | | | | greatly disappointed if a burn ban is in effect. However, |
| deep in the forest. | | | | if a campfire is a go, then make sure that you bring |
| Plan Your Meals Before the Trip | | | | some firewood, and some kindling or newspaper to |
| Plan your meals before you leave on the trip. This way | | | | get your fire going, along with some type of lighter. |
| you will know what food to buy, and what you will | | | | Some parks have firewood available for sale, but not |
| need in order to prepare it. Try to avoid getting stuck | | | | all do, and most parks will not allow you to pick up |
| stopping at a convenience store, far from the city, | | | | twigs and branches off the ground to burn. |
| where items are limited and often very expensive. | | | | Check Weather Conditions Prior to Your Trip |
| Bring the Right Clothing | | | | If severe weather is predicted for your camping area, |
| When packing your clothes make sure that you have | | | | and you can schedule your trip another time, then do it. |
| enough clothing in case someone falls into the lake and | | | | There is nothing worse than being confined to your |
| gets all wet or something else unexpected happens. | | | | tent or slopping around in the mud for a few days. |
| Be sure and bring a swimsuit and towels if swimming | | | | Obey All Park Rules |
| is in your plans. Make sure to have some sweatshirts, | | | | Remember to obey all park rules and be courteous to |
| light coats, and rain gear in case it gets cold and wet. | | | | other campers. Sound carries much further in the |
| Pack enough, but do not overdo it. Remember you are | | | | forest, so keep your voice down, especially at night. At |
| probably space limited on what you can fit in your car, | | | | the end of your stay, leave your campsite clean and |
| and to some extent you are roughing it so you really | | | | ready for the next camper. |
| do not need near as much stuff as normal. | | | | Note Your Favorite Campsites at the Campground |
| Is Your Tent Big Enough? | | | | Once you have been to a campground that you like |
| There is nothing worse than having your family all | | | | and scouted around some, make note of the |
| packed into your tent like a can of sardines. Even | | | | campsites that you like the best. This way you will |
| though you are roughing it, you can still enjoy a little bit | | | | remember them for future trips, and if you can |
| of comfort. If your tent is large enough and you even | | | | reserve a particular site, you will know which ones you |
| splurge for some air mattresses you can be sleeping | | | | are most interested in. |
| nice and comfortable. We have a 9 ft x 15 ft dome | | | | We love to camp, and we hope that your family will |
| tent that fits our family of four very comfortably. What | | | | also find it fun. Hopefully, some of the tips that we |
| I like best about having a bigger tent is that it gives us | | | | have shared will make your trips more enjoyable. |
| room to walk around the beds, and still have space to | | | | Have a safe trip! |