You have heard all the fuss about how fun camping can be, but you have never tried it. Camping is a great way to get back to our roots, put down the electronics, and get some relaxation from the blue light. Camping can be a lot of fun for some however, it can be a daunting task of endless “what ifs” for others. No worries, we are here to help you with some hacks to make your camping trip much more enjoyable!
Choosing a Tent
If you haven’t chosen a tent yet, then some things you should consider are what size you might need and what type of camping you plan on doing. You need to have enough room in the tent for the people and the things. Depending on how long you plan on camping and the kind of camping will help you decide as well. If you plan to camp in a campground with other people all around you, then you will probably bring more things than if you were going alone on a hike through the mountains.
Your food and everything you carry will need to fit in the tent at night. Be sure that you have enough room for this. Typically an easy gauge is to add gear as another person. So, if there are 2 of you going, get a 3 person tent for example. If the 2 are sharing sleeping space. However, if they are not then a four-person might be more comfortable.
Choose where to put the tent wisely
To enjoy your tenting experience you will want to choose your tent location wisely. This means that you will need to survey the land a bit and ensure that you put your tent on even ground and look for rocks, even small ones, that will eventually be your bed and hurt.
Ensure that the ground is even but also pay attention to where the sun rises and sets. This can make a big difference in the morning. If it’s a super sunny week and hot, you may want to find the shade as well and not have the heat bothering you first thing in the morning. Check out the available trees and options you might have.
If there are bushes and trees try to camp near them to block the wind. And, put the “windows” facing the west, if you plan to sleep in at all. The sun is really bright first thing in the morning out in the woods.
Setting up your Tent
Choosing a tent. If you haven’t already gotten a tent, there are several things to consider. If you are just tent camping and don’t plan on hiking the entire time then the weight isn’t as important to you. However, if you are a hiker and now looking to hike overnight and stay in a tent, then you will want a lightweight tent. And, how many people are going to share the tent, a family, just you, you and a friend? Getting a tent the right size is important as well. And, ensure that it’s good for the weather conditions you are going to be camping in. Most tents are good for 3 seasons and this would probably be the best time to try tent camping for a new camper.
If you have never set up your tent before, this could be a bit daunting. To avoid looking like a fool in front of a bunch of people you don’t know, why not first set it up in the backyard. This will be a great way to get in a round of setup and tear down without an audience.
Check out the footprint of the tent. As, with most tents, you’ll want to bring a tarp along to put on the ground. This will be a good barrier between you and the ground. Also, it’s a good idea to know how big your tent is when you go to set it up in public.
Waterproof your Tent
They have cans of sealant and you should do this once a season. Since you have the tent set up in the backyard as your first run, it’s a good time to waterproof it. Ensure you get the zipper seams as well as all seams to keep the water out in case of rain but also helps with dew.
Find a tent that is easy to put up. Nobody wants a tent that comes with a thick instruction book these days. And, try setting up the tent at least once before you leave to ensure you have all the right pieces and your know-how to put it together. And, well, for that rainproofing spray you need to apply. Yes, you need to put rainproofing in your tent. This ensures that you are covered should a rainstorm pop up. It will also help you visualize the footprint that your tent will need.
When setting up you will want your tent upwind from the campfire and other smoking objects. This will ensure that your tent will not be filled with smoke when it is time to go to sleep. Determine which way the wind is coming from and ensure that you put your tent upwind of from your campfire for the best position.
Storage of the Tent
It is important to store the tent when it is dry. This means that if it’s pouring out or wet when you tear down, put the tent loosely in the trunk until you get home and lay it out to dry. Don’t try to put a wet tent back in the tent bag, as it will be frustrating as well as ruin the tent with mildew.
Most important enjoy tent camping!
