Going camping is a favorite pastime for many, and with the global pandemic shutting down flights and cross-border travels, we’ve all been looking for alternative ways to travel and just get out in nature more. Whether it’s popping a tent in our back yard or packing up in the car and going to a nature reserve, we’re getting closer to nature. It’s great for families, friend groups, but it’s also something you can do on your own. However, with camping rising in popularity, a lot of people are going out without really knowing how camping is done. This isn’t to say that there’s a right and wrong way to camp, but there are some things you should know for your own safety and some that will just make your life a whole lot easier once you’re on the road. So, let’s take a look at the four most important tips you need to remember when next time you go camping:
Know The Area
The sense of adventure and not knowing exactly where you’ll end up might be a real high for some people seeking a challenge, but even then, you need to know the area where you’ll be staying. The more you get closer to nature, the more you expose yourself to danger, especially if you’re not trained in survival skills. So, for starters, you should always know where the nearest populated area is, where a freshwater source is and whether you can call for help or not if you get in trouble. If you’re camping in a tent, alone, in the wild, you should learn very well which animals live in the area, and whether some of them can be dangerous to you. This doesn’t just include bears, but things like venomous snakes and spiders. If there are some dangerous animals, you need to bring some way to protect yourself. If there isn’t a freshwater source near where you want to stay, you should have a filter on your water bottle, water purifying tablets, or a way to boil the water to sterilize it. And finally, if you’re going by vehicle, you need to know whether there are roads where you’re going and if your vehicle will be able to handle the terrain.
Set Your Timeline Well
A camping trip can just be a getaway for the weekend, or it can literally be a lifestyle. Depending on how you like to camp, you can be gone for months. This will mostly depend on your tolerance for lack of comfort and your other obligations. If you have a full-time job that you can do in an office, you can probably only get away for a weekend, but if you can work from WiFi, you can check out the best RV rental companies, find a vehicle that has all the amenities you need to work, and set off without a set return date. But if you have a family or pets you’re going to miss, if you know you can’t really get through the day without a cup of latte from your favorite coffee shop, then a shorter trip might be a better option for you. And there’s no shame in that! It’s okay to only enjoy camping in small bites, and once you’ve had your fill – go back to the modern world.
Check Your Gear
When you’re out in the woods, there’s one main thing you need to work: everything. You need to make sure your flashlight is on and has batteries, and that you packed an extra pair of batteries for it. You need to know that your compass isn’t broken, that the zippers on your backpack work. That your satellite phone is charged or that you have a large battery that you can carry with you to charge your phone.
You also need to make sure your boots don’t have holes and that they’re waterproof. Because things that might be a small hindrance in everyday life can be a dangerous situation when you’re out alone in nature. If you have a vehicle, make sure you have a mechanic check it out before setting off to make sure it doesn’t breakdown in the middle of nowhere. If you’re tech-forward and you’re bringing something like an internet receiver with you, make sure that it’s strong enough to get signal wherever you are.
Keep Everything Clean
A lot of people, when they go out in nature, stop caring so much about keeping everything clean. You don’t wash your hands all the time, you go into your tent in clothing that is dirty from mud and dirt you’ve been sitting on, you only half-rinse your pots, pans, and utensils, you don’t shower or really care that much for personal hygiene. This is because there’s no pressure from society to look a certain way, and we tend to “let go”. In addition to that, we might get less organized, packing our backpacks however we see fit without actually thinking about everything inside being neat. This is an issue both because it can pose a medical danger in case of emergency – a cut might get infected if it’s not cleaned – but it will also wear you out more quickly, as it will start to bother you progressively more and more as everything gets dirtier and more disorganized. So, make sure you keep clean – bring a rag that you will use to wipe down your shoes and the outside of your tent and backpack whenever you have some water to spare, bring wet wipes and soap tablets, bring some toothpaste and a toothbrush, and comb your hair. Just keep up the daily routines that you would usually do at home to keep yourself clean.
Going camping is fun and can be an amazing activity, but it’s also not for everyone. If you’re someone who enjoys the comforts of modern life and just wants to breathe some fresh air – the way to go is a day trip that will allow you to enjoy nature and going home to your nice warm bed at night. But if you do want to try your hand at camping, or just want to make sure you have a great time when you go, then stick to these tips!
