Camping Out Ideas

Camping tips?

This weekend's going to be my first time camping, and I'm kind of scared. Could anyone give me camping tips? Is there anything that I absolutely must bring? The campsite has showers and stuff like that, and a friend of mine is taking care of all the food. Oh, and if anyone has tips on how to look polished while camping, please let me know. Thank you!

Public Comments

1. Sunscreen, Bugspray, Aloe.
2. If you're camping in tents, be sure to bring a flashlight and bug repellant.
3. You're going to get dirty so forget looking polished. The only way you can do that is by staying in an RV and never going outside. If you're worried about looking polished, stay in a hotel. Take sunscreen and bug spray. Also have long pants and a sweater for overnight because it will be cooler than you think. Take a couple more pairs of socks than you think you need. They always seem to get wet. Always take off your shoes before going into the tent. NEVER take food inside the tent. It will attract bugs or worse. Enjoy it. Camping is great.
4. Bear spray to stop attacking bears insect repellant to ease the flocks of biting bugs moth balls to keep down the amount of snakes trying to get into your tent snake boots to keep their fangs from penatrating you legs signal mirror and gps in case you get lost and are in the woods for weeks at a time to help you be found water tablets so you don't get diseases from drinking impure water, have fun.
5. Sunscreen and insect repellent are a must. Good shoes for hiking and clean socks. Flip flop sandals for the shower. Take lightweight, loose fitting clothes and a good hat. DO NOT OVERPACK. Looking "polished" isn't a priority while camping, you are supposed to be roughing it in the wilderness, not visiting a day spa.
6. The only real thing you need to know is where you are going camping and what kind of critters there is there. Insects, Animals......you get the picture. Do not sleep with food by your side or you will have an uninvited guest. I go camping in the sierras alot and up there are plenty of bears and they have storage facilities for your food. If you leave it in your car they open it like a tin can. Othere than that ............have fun!
7. keep your food sealed and locked in your car at night and when away from the site. We had a raccoon break into our cooler and it was the kind with a latch! He ate all of meat and tore into everything else! Don't call these Little bandits for nothing! camping is for fun and enjoyment of the outdoors and nature, forget about bringing make up, moose and a blow dryer, have fun, put your hair up in a scrunchies! Trust me no one will care.
8. Must haves are bug spray, first aid kit, and BABY WIPES!!! or anything that gets the job done, you need them because you will get dirty and you can use them to clean your hands, i always bring them, there's almost never water fosets around so defenitly take them. Plus you can use them to clean your face. Oh bring a lot of Blankets because at night it's FREEZING, believe me, i know, i love camping, bring warm clothes for night time, Big jackets and sweaters, as well as shorts and tank tops for the afternoon, because it does get hot, and of course don't forget shampoo, hair brush, soap, tooth brush, tooth paste. Take games you can play them around the campfire, that's always fun. Oh yeah DO NOT forget the sun block lotion, if you don't put it on you will get burned. If there is a lot of wildlife, just don't take any food in the tent with you. if i think of more I'll add it later, hope i'm helpfull, take scrunchy's you'll need them. Oh don't forget flashlightes, your pillow, a tent. A pocet knife and rope can come in handy, ice and extra batteries if you are planning in using anything that requires batteries (radio, CD Player)
9. Don't forget the rain gear, even if it's sunny down here, it can be raining in the mountains, and spending the entire trip indoors isn't much of a vacation. If you can't afford a full rain suit made of Gore-Tex or similar, the easiest solution is to buy a coated nylon poncho. You could get by for a couple of days with a PVC poncho, but it just won't hold up to use. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39295895 Personally I prefer a hiking umbrella and just wearing windbreaker-type coated nylon, but not seam-sealed, jacket and pants. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39231866
10. #1. Comfortable clothing with pockets and hiking boots. #2. Never leave camp and go any distance without a small day pack. A map of the area, compass (or GPS), quart of water, space blanket, coat, matches, signal whistle, etc. The number of people who went only a short distance and got lost is not as small as you think. #3. Hiking stick. Good in case a rattlesnake pops up or in the case of Jimmy Carter, you can fight off a rabbit with it. #4. Hat, sunglasses, bug spray, sun block. #5. Do NOT act like you know it all. If you have a camping question, ask your friend. You will be a long way from a hospital if you get hurt.
11. Hi Salami, Don't worry about looking polished while camping, it's all about leaving any pretentious notions behind. Just put a ponytail in your hair (if it's long) and have fun! If you want to look like a pro camper, there are ten awesome camping tips here for you (the gloves might come in handy for you to keep those hands 'polished') .... http://www.helium.com/tm/404027/whether-planning-kayak-canoe