Today I decided to start up with the real "meat" of this blog - I went camping last weekend and so I figured what better way to start then with some tips on making your camping trip a successful (and fun!) one.
So if you are planning a camping trip in the near future, this post is right for you! Here goes:
1. Research a nearby (or close enough) campground. Finding one nearby or within maybe less than 2 or 3 hours will ensure that you're not sitting in the car on your way there for what feels like forever. No one wants to be in the car for a long amount of time, especially with all the stuff you'll be bringing with you. It is also important to research campgrounds with a lot of activities or things to do - or a campground near a lot of activities or things to do. I will discuss this further on. Lastly, you don't want to be stuck with some awful boring and annoying friend in the car for more than 2 or 3 hours either. This leads me to my next tip.
2. Find a good friend or friends, who would actually enjoy a camping trip, to go with you. Like I mentioned above, you don't want some annoying friend with you in the car, but you also don't want to spend an entire weekend or however long you decide to go for with this person or these people. Make sure this person or these people knows what to expect on this camping trip. It also helps to go with someone who may have experience camping, just in case you have no idea what you're doing.
3. Choose a good weekend or few days to make the trip. This is quite important when planning your trip. You don't want to go on a very popular weekend or couple of days (like Memorial Day weekend maybe, or the 4th of July) if you hate people. Because the campgrounds may or may not be packed. To be honest, there really is no "bad" set of days or weekend to go camping, but keep in mind when you and your friend or friends are available. Also, you need to decide how long you plan on camping for. If you've never camped before, I'd suggest going for one or two nights. One night may be enough for you. But here's my thinking: after you've packed up all your crap to go camping, and then unpacked it once you get to the campground, you're not going to want to pack it all back up the very next day. Hence, why I suggest two nights minimum. That way, you get in one full day of camping or whatever else you decide to do while camping. This leads me to the next tip.
4. Make sure there is plenty to do around the area. Hopefully you've read about this briefly in tip #1 and that you've chosen a campground that offers a variety of fun activities. In my opinion, these include: any kind of boating (preferably canoeing and kayaking for me), hiking trails or mountains, beaches for swimming, areas for easy access to fishing, even nearby nature museums (or something similar to a nature museum). These are just a few of the fun things I can think of. When you're not putting up the tent, or hanging around the campfire, these will keep you occupied and happy.
5. Also make sure you are close enough to civilization, just in case. This tip is mucho importante. You should be near a gas station, as well as a grocery store, even a hospital. Gas stations or general stores are extremely helpful in that if you forget to pack something (which I will go into further a little later), you have them nearby to get what you need. If you live in New York like me, a campground near a Stewarts' or Price Chopper is your best bet! And the hospital thing is a given. A lot of campgrounds have a medical tent or cabin, however, for minor things like scrapes and boo-boos. Also keep that in mind. Lastly for this tip, you might want to be near a town or village or any sort of civilization in case you lose your Goddamn mind alone in the wilderness. However, to get the best experience from camping, I suggest not relying so much on what you're familiar with.
6. Put the damn smartphone away. This is just... Frustrating. Sure, you can bring your smartphone or whatever other electronic device you may need on the way up to the campground or on the way back, and in case of emergencies, obviously. But to really fully enjoy nature and your camping trip, the point of it is to escape your everyday stressors and things, and be one with nature. You don't need the phone or the tablet or the iPad. And plus, there's no outlets or anything for you to charge your technological junk, except maybe in the car. But don't be that person and sit in the car charging your stupid phone. If you get bored without your phone, continue on to the next tip.
7. Bring some form of entertainment (something that doesn't need to be CHARGED). There is so much more out there in the world that can keep us entertained. How do you think people lived a hundred years ago? They didn't have phones or tablets or anything. They entertained themselves in other ways. GAMES: oh my God, who has ever heard of such things? Cards, board games, frisbees (Kan Jam is the world's most fun frisbee game, so you should look into it), baseballs and gloves, footballs, etc. The list could go on forever. Bring something to keep you busy. Reading is also a wonderful past time to keep your mind occupied. Bring a book, magazine, or newspaper. There is so much to do that doesn't involve something with a battery.
8. Packing: be fully prepared. I won't list everything you need to pack here, but I will help you figure out exactly what to pack. A few days before your trip, Google some good lists of things to pack. I found that Pinterest had some great lists filled with awesome ideas of stuff to pack. They even remind you to pack some of the little things. Here are just a few things you really, truly need: tent, sleeping bags/blankets, AIR MATTRESS and air mattress pump (we went this past weekend without an air mattress and we woke up sore every morning from sleeping on the cold, hard ground), rope, pocket knife, flashlights/lantern, sweatshirts, long pants, socks, variety of shoes (sneakers and/or boots, shower shoes, etc.), other necessary clothes (always pack at least one extra pair of underwear on top of what you think you may need), toiletries, BUG SPRAY, SUNSCREEN, lots of food (bring a big cooler and pack it with foods that need to be refrigerated - fill with ice, continue to buy ice throughout your trip), kitchen tools (such as tongs, spatula, cast iron skillet, oven mitts, etc.), paper products, plastic silverware, matches, newspaper, and firewood (DO NOT PURCHASE until you get to campground - they will yell at you if you bring your own, especially if you are traveling far... Google "Emerald Ash Borer Beetle" and you will see why this is super important). For other things to pack, like I said, Google lists or use Pinterest.
9. Embrace the dirtiness. You're going to get dirty - it's inevitable. Be prepared for it. Don't bring your best Sunday outfit. A t-shirt and some old jeans will do the trick. There will be a crap ton of bugs, so you might as well get used to that, too. You're gonna feel gross and dirty and smelly, but it's fun - so suck it up.
10. Take lots and lots of pictures. You want to remember this trip, right? Bring a camera! And you can have a ton of fun with it. My boyfriend and I like to get our picture together whenever we go, and he's a complete goof - but it makes for some fun and silly pictures. Plus, the scenery is GORGEOUS. Take pictures and show all your friends and family when you get back home. They might even be jealous.11. Don't stress; chill out; enjoy yourself. Don't get all worked up about anything - it is a lot to remember, but if you forgot something, go out and buy it. No big deal. Maybe you can start your own collection of camping things you need. Don't worry about keeping busy the whole time either. You can be bored from time to time. Hence, the book, the games, etc. And if all else fails, start up that fire and make yourself a dozen s'mores. It'll be alright. It's fun; it's supposed to be fun. Make sure you have some.
That's it for now, folks. I hope this list helps you out. And if not, well, the internet is full of helpful hints and tips for you. Have a fun time camping and send me some pictures of your trip if you like! I'd love to hear about your trip and see how much fun you had!
xoxo,
Clare
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