Camping is an acquired taste. Some people will take any opportunity offered to spend time in the wilderness, while others might only venture out if friends and family invite them.
Many of those who are on the fence about whether they like camping simply aren’t prepared. More to the point, they haven’t made the right equipment purchases to ensure their comfort and convenience. If you’re eager to start enjoying your camping trips rather than counting down the days until you return home, consider taking the following actions:
Create a Meal Preparation Pack
As tempting as it can be to live on pre-packaged foods like cookies while camping, nutritious whole foods will provide your body with the required sustenance to enjoy outdoor activities.
Purchase the best cookware for camping and pair it with utensils, a meal plan, a form of heat like a gas cooker, and ingredients to sustain you for as many days as you’ll be outdoors. Consider investing in a cooler or battery-powered camping refrigerator to keep perishables like meat and dairy safe for consumption.
Don’t Skimp on Bedding
Many people find themselves experiencing sleepless nights while camping because they’re uncomfortable. You might get cold during the night, feel pain after sleeping on the hard ground, or feel unsupported by your camping bed and pillow. That lack of sleep then makes you irritable.
Thankfully, camping doesn’t have to be uncomfortable if you invest in high-quality bedding. Choose sleeping bags rated for the relevant temperatures, bring extra blankets, and don’t underestimate the value of a memory foam bed roll or supportive air mattress. You might even like to bring your own pillows rather than using inflatable camping pillows.
Bring Creature Comforts from Home
If you struggle with camping because you don’t like being away from the comforts of home, take those comforts with you. For example, you can bring solar panels and charging banks to keep your mobile devices charged. You can even purchase battery-powered versions of your favorite AC-powered products like stereos, refrigerators, and heaters.
Many people use camping to disconnect from the modern, fast-paced world, but others feel more at peace and less stressed when they can enjoy their favorite modern-day conveniences.
Reassess Your Sleeping Quarters
Most experienced campers can sleep soundly in a tent. Those who spend a significant amount of their spare time in the wilderness even love sleeping under the stars. However, if sleeping in a tent is why you don’t currently enjoy camping, reassess your sleeping quarters.
You can invest in a rooftop tent, which is more comfortable than the average ground tent, or a caravan you can tow behind your vehicle. If you’re staying in a campground, you can even book a cabin with a bed. Tents are the most popular option among campers, but if you’re not a fan, you have more alternatives than you think.
Make a Camping Plan
Some people thrive on not having a plan when they head off on a camping adventure. As long as they have food, water, something to cook on, and a bed, they can come up with ideas on the fly. However, not everyone finds enjoyment in ‘winging it.’
A camping plan can ease your anxiety and allow you to enjoy each activity more as it happens. Planning will also help you avoid forgetting anything important, like your camp cookware, matches, and sleeping bags.
Camping can be relaxing, peaceful, and exhilarating, but it can also be uncomfortable if you’re not adequately prepared. Take the actions above, and you’ll be in for an easier and more enjoyable camping trip.
