Listen Up First Time Campers: Here's what you can expect on your first camping trip

Are you wondering what the hype is all about? Why take everything that you have inside, outside?! Just to sleep in a tent, all the while worried about bugs, bears, and foxes? You wanna know what to pack and what's it like to sleep under the stars., and yes, there will be bugs.

So why do it? Well because camping is fun! In this post, I will give you a simplified list of what to pack and what to expect on your first camping trip. Spoiler alert, after 5 days in the wild you may not look Instagram-able.,

Spending some time outdoors is a great way to unplug from zoom calls and the instant notifications from MS Teams and Slack. Camping allows you to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the chirping of birds, and see lush green trees all around. It will be your moment to be one with nature. Are you also ready for some adventure and thrill? Then camping is something that you should do as soon as possible. Personally, I like to tap into my inner Reese Whiterspoon from her role in Wild. And on kayaks, I always imagine that I'm Meryl Streep in The River Wild.

The great thing about camping is that there are so many things to discover and rediscover every single time. Even if you have been camping before, it doesn’t hurt to learn more tips and tricks on how to enjoy your next trip even more.

Plan it out

You should first plan your trip and know where you want to go. If you have been camping before, you’ll know what kind of trip is best for you and your camping needs. But if this is your first time camping, then you’ll need help to plan a trip, with someone with more experience.

My annual camping trip usually takes the form of kayaking and spending the night at either designated campsites or wild camping, where we look for a suitable place in the forest or meadow.

My team of "experts” have been camping since they were kids. The group leader organizes the event on Facebook events and informs us of the details. We vote on the river and map out a route identify the level of difficulty, duration, and campsites, and keep close track of the estimated forecast for the trip. The forecast is paramount to the success of the trip because if it's raining for 3 days no one will have any fun.

I recommend that first-time campers, start out with a weekend trip or a short trip that lasts just one or two nights to get the feel of things, staying nearby designated sites in case they need to quite early.

You should also know about the best time to go. It’ll depend on where you live, but based on my experience it is suitable to kayak and camp in Poland from June to September.

There are several Agro-touristic and kayaking companies that offer kayak rentals and assistance to campers.

Check out these trips below:

Bring The Right Gear

Make sure that you bring the right gear for your camping trip. This includes the right tent, sleeping bags, and other equipment. Don’t just bring any gear because you think it will be nice to have. Make sure you purchase quality equipment that is ready for the type of weather that you’ll be experiencing. You should also know what you’ll be using each gear for. If you’re bringing a tent, then know what type of tent you’ll be using. This includes cooking equipment and utensils. This will prevent you from bringing too much gear and help you get ready for the trip.

Here is a list of camping gear that you might need to take:

See Full List of What to pack here

Tent Sleeping Bag Inflatable mattress or yoga mat Camping Stove with Fuel & lighters Camping Pot, Pans Thermos

Utensils: knives, fork, spoon Garbage bags Food & Water ( easy to make meals )

If you are combining kayaking and camping, remember that all your gear must fit into your kayak. Being overweight and having too much stuff makes the kayak harder to pack and unpack everyday.

Don't Forget the basics

On your first camping trip, you might forget the basics. You might forget to pack toiletries, soap, and other hygiene items. Forget about the makeup, although I've seen camp glam makeup which includes a SPF skin tint and eyeliner which comes in handy when taking group pictures after 5 days of camping. You might also forget to bring clothing suitable for all types of weather. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a raincoat. You might also forget to bring first aid and emergency items like a first aid kit and a survival kit. Bring tweezers and disinfectant, they are helping in removing ticks and splinters. Bring a flashlight in case there is no electricity at the camping site. Bring battery packs, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Pro -Tip: If you are traveling with small children and they have to go to the toilet, then I've found the perfect solution.

Portable potty for children. I take it on long road trips as well. Unfortunately, they don't make them for adults.

Go With Family & Friends

It’s a very good idea to go with friends or family. You’ll be able to enjoy your first camping trip and see what it’s all about with people you know and trust.

You’ll also be able to learn more camping tips and tricks from your friends and family members. If you do go with friends or family, however, make sure that you keep the trip fun and light-hearted.

Don’t let things get too serious or tense because you’ll only make your trip worse and less enjoyable. Don’t forget that camping is supposed to be a trip full of fun and adventure. You should be able to enjoy nature, explore the outdoors, and just relax and chill during your trip.

Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings

You should always be aware of your surroundings. Be careful about what you touch, and make sure you don’t bring any harmful things into your tent or your sleeping bag such as ticks. You should also make sure that you keep your valuables, like cameras and phones safe. Keep them in waterproof and water-resistant bags so they don’t get wet if there is rain or water present. You should also make sure that they are far away from curious animals. Even when you’re indoors and at a camping site. There is also wildlife indoors, and you don’t want to get hurt by them.

Are you ready?

So, you've read this article for tips and ideas, and decided to give it a try. All you have to do is prepare, plan ahead, and be aware of your surroundings. There is nothing to be afraid of because nature is beautiful and it is also one of the best ways to relax. You’ll be able to enjoy your first camping trip more than ever before. Don’t forget to enjoy the nature and the fresh outdoors that is available for you to explore.