Many of you will have been camping regularly throughout your lives; some of you might be planning your first ever camping trip. But whether you are an occasional camper, a hardened regular or just about to go camping for the first time there are always a few things that can come as a bit of a shock.
Here are the a few things you learn the first time you go camping (and then forget for the next time).
It gets really cold at night
Even on the hottest summer days, once the sun goes down the heat of the day disappears fast. So pack that thermal layer or thick jumper that you think you don’t need you will need it, and thick socks will be your friend.
It will rain…
It’s almost inevitable! And, the less prepared you are for camping in wet weather the heavier the rain will be, goes without saying! The sound of rain and wind will be amplified inside a tent! You’ll be thinking the apocalypse has arrived. Have waterproofs, a change of clothes, and a book or some cards or something to keep yourselves entertained if you find yourself trapped in your tent by a monsoon.
… and the mud gets everywhere.
Your favourite clothes will get ruined. No need to pack you designer gear (unless it’s your Hunters). Pack wellies and plastic bags. Try and keep you wet clothes separate from your dry. And if you need to go back out into the rain, put your wet clothes back on. It’ll feel horrible initially but you’ll be keeping a dry set of clothes for when you return!!
That sleeping mat, the one you think you don’t need? You need it!
The smoothest looking ground will be lumpier than you think when you have to sleep on it for 8 hours, and will be surprisingly cold. A sleeping mat will cushion lumps and protect from direct cold from the ground. An air bed is even better.
Minor accidents can happen
A small medical kit may come in handy, and won’t take up too much space if you don’t.
Cooking a meal on a camp-stove or open fire is extremely satisfying!
Whether you have dug a fire pit, a small fire, or just whipped out a camping stove there is something immensely satisfying about a camp cooked meal. It might take an age, and it might be something as simple as a burger, sausage or ready meal dried pasta. But it’ll taste better because you cooked it, and you cooked it in a field.
There’s a different kind of dark at night
Most of us, particularly if you live in a large town or city, are used to streetlights everywhere, there’s a background glow to our lives. You’ll notice it’s not there in a field in the middle of nowhere, and it gets dark quicker than you think. Pack a torch, or you’re going to wind up in a ditch on your night-time toilet dash. A small pocket torch, or wind up lantern.
WHAT THE &!$%*@! WAS THAT?!?
Strange noises in the middle of the night sound much closer than they really are.
Your tent isn’t as big as it looks
A tent that seems spacious to begin with will seem a lot smaller after 48 hours, a good family sized tent is a must if you have the car boot space.
You will get to know your friends
Make sure you’re camping with someone you really like, it’s a confined space and people move around and their backside is going to be shoved into your face at least once during the weekend.
And finally…
Duct tape is your friend
Something leaking, duct tape! Something falling apart, duct tape! Need to fix a small tear in your coat or tent, duct tape! Something broken, you get the idea…
