10 Common Camping Mistakes to Avoid

There is always a possibility that you’ll make mistakes while camping, especially if you are a first-timer. Even frequent campers still make mistakes no matter how prepared they are. Mistakes and mishaps are all part of the experience. That said, being aware of those mistakes can help you avoid committing the same mistake the next time you have a trip. Making some simple changes can make a difference and avoid your trip being a wasting money experience. Here are the ten most common camping mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can have fun and enjoy your camping trip without any problems.

Overpacking

It is one of the biggest mistakes that people are doing when going on a camping trip. You have to keep in mind that space will be very limited, so bringing so much stuff is not ideal. All you need to pack are the essential ones, just pack light. Remember, if you’re going to bring lots of things, you are the one who will suffer in the end because you need to carry it on your own. Don’t pack too many clothes and unnecessary gadgets and gear.

No planning and No practicing

If you want to have a fun and memorable camping experience, you need to plan it carefully. Practice and test your camping gears before your trip to know if it works. Practice pitching your tent at home, try all the lights, and learn how all your equipment works. This way, you will find out if you need a replacement or need repairing. Prepare yourself for every possible problem that might happen during your trip and find a solution while you are still at home than on the campsite.

Picking the wrong tent

To have a great sleep, you have to choose the perfect tent for you. If you are camping with your family it is a must to consider the size of the tent, how many people are going to sleep and how many things do you have. Choose a tent that is a bit bigger, for you to have more space and storage. Choose also a tent that can withstand any weather and can keep you warm at night.

Poor Food Preparation

Planning your meal is important in this trip. Avoid packing foods that can easily spoil and are too complicated to prepare. Bring foods that are non-perishable but can still give you enough calories to keep your energy up, like bread, peanut butter, canned goods, nuts, juice boxes, and cereal bars. If you want to have hotdogs or steaks, you can bring a good cooler to store it. Keep in mind that if you’re going to spend a couple of days without a refrigerator, consume your meat immediately or rather don’t bring any if you will not eat them right away. Also, remember to clean after every meal and bring trash bags.

Leaving food uncovered

A common mistake that campers seem to make is leaving their leftover foods unattended. Leaving your food uncovered for too long might attract insects and wildlife. Always wrap your leftover after eating and store it properly in a cooler or dry bag to avoid unwanted visitors especially at night.

Packing the wrong clothes

You don’t need to bring too many clothes on this trip. Just bring clothes that can keep you warm and dry at night. Bring sneakers rather than your fancy shoes and maybe a pair of sandals. People tend to pack lots of clothes for picture purposes only, not knowing they didn’t have enough clothes to keep them warm and comfortable. Check the weather also, for you to know what kind of clothes you need to pack.

Underestimating the weather

Before your trip, always check the weather forecast to see if it will be a sunny day or if a storm is incoming. Weather greatly affects how are you going to pack for your trip. If there is a storm incoming on your campsite, it will affect the activities you can do outdoor so it is better to check reliable weather websites before you go on your trip.

Arriving late at the campsite

Arriving late at the site will not do you any favor. If you arrive late, you don’t have any choice but to do everything in the dark. If you are not familiar with the camping site, it is always better to arrive early so you can choose the perfect location where to set up your tent and cook your food. Arriving early will also help you familiarize yourselves with the camping site and this will make it easier for you to navigate the area, especially at night.

Forgetting the First-aid kit

Forgetting your first aid kit is not ideal most especially if you are traveling with family. Always remember to bring your first aid kit every time you will go on a trip. The first aid kit will help you treat minor injuries like shallow cuts or abrasions and other non-serious medical injuries. If you have a first aid kit on hand, you can treat your cuts immediately to avoid getting it worse and become infected.

Forgetting to put out the campfire

It is important to put out the campfire before you leave the campsite. Some campers tend to forget to put it out completely because they are in a hurry. Allow some time to put out the fire properly because if you did it wrong, it might create a wildfire. All you need is water to do it. Sprinkle water as much as you need and keep on stirring it to make sure that you get every part wet. If there is no steam or hissing it means you are almost done. Lastly, check it with the back of your hand near the ashes, if it’s still hot sprinkle some more water, as soon as it cools down, you successfully put it out completely.

Now that you have an idea of what common mistakes to avoid, you can now plan your camping trip accordingly. But mistakes are inevitable so don’t get too hard on yourself if it happens. Just make sure not to repeat the same mistake and learn from it. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your trip.