Spending quality time at your favorite camping site may either turn out to be a great adventure or a nightmare. This all boils down to one factor: what you packed up for this trip. Camping is an excellent way to switch off from routine and busy workdays.
However, if you don’t do things the right way, what was intended to be an enjoyable time will quickly discourage you from ever taking another camping trip. Packing up your essentials might make the difference between having a smooth restful outdoor camping experience and a medical emergency.
Whether it is your first time camping or your umpteenth time, it is vital never to leave home without your camping essentials. Here is a list of the things you need to bring to the camping resort.
1. A sleeping bag
An outdoor camping experience where you sleep on leaves and moss may sound dreamy and fun. However, this will not keep you warm when the sun sets because temperatures tend to drop significantly at night.
These changes could be as much as 20 degrees, meaning you need all the warmth you can get to have a good night’s sleep. If you have ever tried sleeping when cold, you understand it is challenging.
Another reason to bring along your sleeping bag is that insects are most active at night. If they happen to come across your uncovered body, which in itself poses several health risks, you might catch a disease. With a good-quality sleeping bag, you will have less tossing and turning and adequate rest.
It is also multi-purpose, and you can partially roll into your sleeping bag while telling stories with your friends or playing slots on your mobile phone while taking advantage of offerings like Thunderbolt casino bonuses.
2. A tent
Even if it is magical to sleep while watching the stars, you must have a tent just in case something unpredictable happens. Some camping resorts are very efficient in providing campers with camping tents.
However, if you aren’t sure whether you’ll be provided with one, carry your own as you make your trip to your camping site. It ensures that you are sheltered from heavy dew, freak snowstorms, high winds, and a midnight deluge, all of which are bound to leave you miserable, drenched, and at risk of hypothermia.
Regardless of the type of tent you bring along, be sure to bring all its accessories, including tent poles, rope, a rain fly, and stakes.
3. A water filter and canteen
Water is vital for survival in the great outdoors, and the deeper you go into your camping site, the more quickly your water seems to be running out. The one thing you don’t want to happen to you is being stuck in the middle of nowhere without a supply of fresh water.
Water from water bodies like lakes and ponds at the camping site may not be safe for drinking because it could contain disease-causing bacteria. Even if the place you will explore is near your camping resort, be sure to carry a whole day’s supply of fresh, clean water in a large container.
Also, carry a filter or some water purification tablets with you, just in case you are forced to refill at a stream.
4. A fire starter
Nothing quite completes the camping experience as a warm crackling fire does. So, it would be best if you had a tool to get your fire started as quickly and efficiently as possible. You can start a fire with matches, a magnesium fire starter, or a cigarette lighter.
If you opt for matches, make sure that you carry waterproof ones. It doesn’t take much to carry two fire starters, just in case one fails to do the job. Take some kindling with you, such as dry bark in a waterproof material, because it can be hard to find dry kindling outdoors, especially if it’s raining or snowing.
5. A first aid kit
It is pretty unlikely that you will suffer life-threatening injuries while out camping, but a long day of hiking could result in some scratches or blisters, which will need bandaging. Scrapes and tiny cuts can become easily infected if left untreated.
That is why you need to keep antiseptic and bandages with you. Your first aid kit should also have other necessities such as adhesive, soap, gauze, scissors, an emergency whistle, insect repellant, and bottles of sunscreen.
Insect bites and sunburns are capable of causing unprecedented pain and discomfort, just as much as lacerations.
6. A lantern/flashlight
These will come in handy when you want to locate items inside your tent, walk around the campsite, or as you visit the toilet at night. A campfire is bright, but it may not be as helpful when you are within your tent. Having a flashlight or lantern that is battery-powered and portable is invaluable.
Take away
These are just a few of the many things you need for camping. The list covers the must-haves, but you can add others to make your experience more comfortable. When everything is in the right order, you’ll be more concerned with enjoying your camping experience and creating memories than tolerating the outdoors.