Every year my family and I go camping at least once, if not twice! It’s been going on for as long as I can remember. When I was young it was a chance to have adventures exploring the country and these days it’s more about trying to unplug from the modern world and spend a week just relaxing, reading books and pottering about the local market or shops.
It always seems like there is a lot to consider when planning a camping trip; equipment, packing, what do to when you get there to name a few and it can quickly spiral into a stressful few days rather than a fun getaway. Here are some of my tips for making sure you can enjoy a stress-free camping trip!
- Preparation – a sure way to stress is to leave preparing for your trip to the last minute. Collect up all the things you will need (bedding, tent, bags, cooking equipment and non-perishables) and place in an allocated spot ready to go. I remember my parent’s foyer being stacked high with all our supplies! This will also help you to scan over what items you have and what you might need to buy before you go. Don’t have enough chairs? Garden Furniture specialists Garden Camping can provide any camping furniture you may need.
- Packing – I have always, always, made the mistake of packing what I think I will need rather than actually sitting down and planning what I will really need. Pack light! There’s no need to take your whole wardrobe with you if really all you need are some good jeans and some t-shirts. Make a list and stick to it. Be ruthless! Let’s face it unless you’re planning on camping in an isolated location far away from civilisation you can always stop at a shop to purchase something you’ve forgotten.
- Tent – one thing you shouldn’t rush into is buying your tent. You’ll want to make sure the tent you’re purchasing will be exactly what you need to make your trip as hassle-free as possible. If you’re new to camping consider a tent that is intuitive to put up. Will you be able to set it up in the dark, with cold fingers, in the rain? Does it have adequate protection against the weather? Last year I had the misfortune of waking up in the middle of the night to discover that heavy rain had created a river beneath my tent and I was sleeping in a swamp!
- First Aid Kit – no-one wants to consider that someone might get hurt while camping but mishaps happen when we’re excited, lugging gear or setting up equipment. Make sure your kit includes a variety of bandages, plasters, antiseptic wipes and antibiotic cream to sort out any cuts, scrapes or scratches. Bug bite cream is also a good idea! Tweezers come in handy for dealing with splinters and keep some scissors handy for cutting tape.
- Entertainment – once you’re all set up you’re bound to want to find something to while away your holiday time so make sure you plan some entertainment before you go so you don’t end up stuck in your tent with nothing to do. If you’re travelling with kids try some free and fun activities like treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, fishing, surfing, campsite football or cricket (make sure your campsite allows ball games!) I have great memories of playing monopoly with my family while camping; take a selection of old-fashioned board games to escape technology for a while and stock up on books from your favourite authors for when you just want to relax with a good book.
- Plan activities – when you’re planning the logistics of your camping trip don’t forget to consider what you’ll be doing when you get there. It might be best to choose one activity and cater for that, as opposed to bringing gear for every activity, especially if it’s a short trip. Sit down with your camp-mates whether they are friends or family and work out a schedule for what you will be doing over your time away. This will allow everyone the chance to say what they want to do and a solid schedule will mean nothing will get missed out (and no-one will be disappointed).
What are your top tips for avoiding a stressful camping trip?
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