Have you ever wished you could have a list of camping tips, hacks, and cautionary tales from veteran campers? I know I have. Advice and recommendations from “those who have gone before” is more valuable than a whole magazine full of camping articles written in an office somewhere. That’s why I decided my series on first-time family camping trips needed this post.
Tent Tips
For first-time campers, tents themselves can be intimidating. Setting up tents has been the subject of many funny episodes on comedic shows, and the frustration, arguments, and broken tent poles that often result can make new campers worry about this process. However, the truth is that it’s not really that hard to set up a tent. Actually, it’s much harder to get it back in the bag again!
If you want to learn more about setting up your tent, watch a few YouTube videos and try it out in your own yard a few times. You’ll be a pro in no time.
Here are the hints and tips I got about tents from veteran campers:
A 6-person tent will barely hold 6 people, and won't hold 6 people and anything else.
The tarp under your tent should be SMALLER than the footprint of tent. (Otherwise you risk having a flood)
Do not touch the insides of the tent, condensation can & will rain down on you.
Don’t put your sleeping bag directly on the ground/tent floor, or you WILL wake up in a cold, damp sleeping bag in the morning!
Advice on Packing and Supplies
Packing for your first camping trip is complicated. What containers should you use? How do you know if you’ve forgotten something? What should you leave at home? After you’ve gone camping a time or two, you will have a much better idea of what you should bring. And even experts forget things on nearly every trip. So relax, learn as much as you can, make a packing list, and focus on having fun.
Do a test run in the yard a week before you leave to make sure you have everything you'll need.
Keep your clothes in zip-lock bags.
Over 40 you want an air mattress. Over 50 you want two air mattresses, so it's easier to get up.
Your tent and air mattress will never fit in their storage bags again. Don’t even try.
Staying Warm and Dry
It’s essential to stay comfortable on your camping trip. When I asked veteran campers what they wished they had known before their first camping trip, a lot of the answers had to do with staying warm and dry. And that’s understandable because it’s hard to have fun when you’re cold, wet, and miserable. Here are some expert tips on having a comfortable and dry camping adventure:
In the winter (or in the mountains) the cold can come through the bottom of your sleeping bag.
Hats worn at night are a huge help in keeping warm.
Put fresh socks & unders on every morning.
Afternoon rain/thunderstorms are common in the mountains. If you want to hike, you need to get an early start.
Essential Food Advice
Food can be one of the best parts of camping trips, but it can also be one of the most frustrating things if you don’t plan well. Understanding the basics of cooking on camping trips will make meals, snacks, and desserts one of the most enjoyable parts of your trip.
It’s essential to have a packing list and basic menu so you will know what meals you are making and you can bring all the needed ingredients. You should also prepare as much ahead as you can- scrambling eggs, mixing pancake batter, browning hamburger, etc.
For cold-weather camping, I buy single-serve packets of chicken bouillon. They are great for a quick cup of broth to warm you up.
Snacks. Snacks. Snacks. I have yet to think, shoot, I should have brought fewer snacks.
Canned biscuits + hole in middle + fried in oil + powdered sugar= camp donuts
The best way to take eggs along is to break them into a leakproof container first.
Water (cold preferred) is essential
Have 2 coolers if you're camping for a longer period in the summer. One contains all the frozen meats and is only allowed to be opened once a day. The other cooler(s) are where you thaw it and have your other cold items.
Don’t forget to put ALL your coolers in a vehicle at night. We forgot and accidentally fed all our peaches to a bear.
Fire Starting Tips
A fire can be one of the greatest parts of camping. While fires aren’t always permitted, when they are, nothing is better than sitting around the fire talking, singing, or just relaxing. Cooking over a fire makes food taste delicious, and nothing beats a roasted marshmallow or s’more at the end of a long day hiking and fishing.
Unfortunately, campfires aren’t always as easy as they look. Wood is wet, tinder hard to find, and fire-starting supplies stubborn and unwieldy. Our experts were ready with tips for campfires that can help beginning campers and novice fire-starters enjoy this camping staple.
Best firestarter I've ever used is a Ferro Rod.
Butane lighters don't always work well at high elevations.
Cheap, white fuel in the Walmart camping section will make even wet wood burn.
The first time we went camping in Australia I totally forgot we couldn't cook food over a fire. Any, and all, flames were banned. The upside was they had electric outdoor grills ready for people to use for free.
Food cooked over a fire always tastes better.
Camping with Kids
Family camping is amazing. It’s fun, cheap, and kids love having unfettered time to explore and adventure. On the other hand, it can be a lot of work and frustration if you go about it wrong. Most importantly: If you are bringing kids keep them busy, comfortable, and full. Bored, cold, wet, hungry kids are grumpy kids.
Help your kids learn to have fun outside by getting them started playing and exploring. To start, play and explore with them. Build a shelter. Create a dirt city for toy cars. Pretend to be explorers. Once they figure it out, you can let them go and they will have even more fun without you. Active games like Nerf wars and kickball are also excellent ways to keep kids from being bored. Finally, bring lots and lots of food. Kids eat more when they’re outside, so you need to be prepared to keep filling up their tanks.
If you will be in the area without an outhouse, make sure your younger kids are comfortable using the bathroom out in the woods!
Bring things your kids enjoy, like books and toys, as well as special activities like bubbles and fishing gear.
Play audiobooks and movies on your phone at bedtime to help kids relax in the new environment.
Have an afternoon quiet time.
Tips on Staying Safe from Camping Veterans
Camping is generally very safe. Unless you are camping in extreme weather or are in very remote areas, you don’t usually have to worry about life-threatening emergencies when camping. However, there are some things you should do to stay safe and help your family avoid accidents.
Fire safety is paramount. Never let kids run around fires or hot food, and stay alert around fires. Make sure they are completely out before leaving them or going to bed for the night. You should also be prepared with basic first-aid supplies, bandaids, and medications.
Bug repellent is a lifesaver (literally), lasts way longer when applied to clothes, and is horrible in your eyes.
A first aid kit is a no-brainer… include Tylenol.
Tie your hair back. (When you bend over a campfire, it’s dangerous.)
Conclusion
Camping is a wonderful family activity, and millions of people have amazing childhood memories of camping with their parents. While your first camping trip is intimidating and sure to be an adventure with many mishaps, advice from veteran campers can help you be as prepared and knowledgable as possible.