First thing to update you on a new equipment addition. Our beloved camp stove died after a decade of service. We looked at a lot of different models before settling on the Coleman Triton Series two burner. We tried it out at an overnight trip to McKinney Falls with scouting friends in April and it works great.
So moving on to advice for new campers.
When we were traveling on spring break, we saw quite a few families that were obviously new to camping. How did I know they were new? Well other than the pristine, fresh out of the package equipment, there were also lots of rookie mistakes. So I came up with some advice, a list because I really love lists, to help newbie campers enjoy their experience without irritating the pros.
1. Check the weather report carefully.
The family across from us at Stephen F Austin left the campground at 5 a.m. with their baby and young son because the temperatures that night dipped into the lower 40's. It was warm and comfy during the day, but once the sun set it got much colder. We were near the river, which also lowers the temperature by a few degrees. All sleeping bags will give you a degree minimum for comfort. Most cheap bags are 60 degree bags. Meaning you will be somewhat warm enough as low as 60 degrees in that bag. To be toasty warm go 10 degrees up. So a 30 degree bag would have been the minimum for a night that cold in a tent .
2. Practice setting up your tent before you go.
Don't be those people that arrive late in the evening and pull your tent out of the packaging for the first time. Make sure you can put your rain fly on easily and in the wind. Bring extra stakes and a hammer. We live in Central Texas and in central Texas we don't have dirt, we have dirty rock. The only way you are getting those stakes in the ground is with a hammer and you may even bend a few so bring extras. If you are beach camping, invest in sand stakes or your rain fly will end up in the ocean.
3. Bring a camp stove.
We have seen so many campers eating dinner at 8:30 at night because they only brought charcoal and it takes a long time to get those coals ready to cook on. If you are cooking on a fire, bring your own wood. Do no tramp through the brush breaking tree limbs and collecting pine needles to burn. Not only is it against the rules, but all that brush is usually wet and will create a ton of smoke.
4. Don't entertain your kids.
The family next to us to Stephen F Austin looked exhausted. That mom had clearly read one to many pinterest pins and mommy blogs about how to camp with your family. She had crafts, science activities, and family games including spoon races and bean bag toss to last the whole afternoon. Stop working so hard! You have already packed up all your stuff into the car, driven to the park, unpacked everything and set it all up. Sit down in your brand new Academy canvas chair and let them explore nature. We bring 2 buckets, 2 shovels, a frisbee or ring, sketch pads and colored pencils, bikes and books. That's it. No electronics except for maybe a kindle, no toys, no air soft guns. I keep a deck of Uno cards in case it rains. Let them discover making houses out of bark and sticks. Let them find caterpillars and acorns. Let them play in puddles, creeks, streams, and lake shores even if it is cold or they get filthy.
5. Respect your neighbors and don't be afraid to call the ranger
When you arrive somewhere get the phone number of who to call if your neighbors are not observing quiet hours. It happens, more often than I like. Large groups start partying and the noise continues long after 10 pm. I have been known to yell at people on occasion, but sometimes it is better to let the ranger handle it. 10 pm- 6 am are quiet hours in most parks. So turn off your radio, your generator. Get everything you need out of your car so the horn doesn't honk when you lock it. The birds start chirping early so you may as well go to bed.
6. Dogs and babies are not good campers.
Of course there are exceptions, but in general, babies and toddlers scream and dogs bark.
There are a lot of safety issues with bringing very small children camping. Before you decide that your child is ready to camp ask yourself the following: Can my child nap anywhere, even if it is very warm or noisy? Are they ok with being dirty? Are they afraid of the dark or strange noises (coyotes howling, armadillos burrowing etc.)? Do they still put things in their mouth? Can they follow safety rules near rivers, open fires, dangerous plants (poison ivy, cactus etc.) and animals (snakes, scorpions, spiders)? If the answers to these questions make you squirm a little, wait. Our youngest was ready to camp at 3, but our oldest wasn't ready till 5. Every child is different and taking it slow is best. Start with a day trip, then try a screened shelter or cabin. Then try out the tent in your backyard or a very close park. Then, do one night trips till they are comfortable with camping.
Dogs can be great companions especially on beach trips, but if your dogs barks at other people or other dogs, leave them at home. Nothing is worse than trying to relax at your site and having to listen to your neighbors dog bark for hours while they are out hiking and have left their dog at the site. You will see more animals, especially birds if you leave Fido at home.7. Know what to pack.
The basics for camping can be found in any book or article about camping. But there are some things that you need that you may not have thought of. One roll of paper towels per family of four per day. Bring hand soap for washing hands at the site. Headlamps are better than flashlights. Lotion because campfires dry out your skin. A hammer. Flip flops for the shower. Zip ties and duct tape can fix almost anything. A good pump for your air mattresses. One extra meal that doesn't require refrigeration or heat kept in the car. A can opener. Extra socks. Gallon ziploc bags. Garbage bags for dirty clothes. One extra blanket in case your kid yaks in the tent at 3 am.
8. Know what to leave at home
You do not need half of the camping things sold. Leave at home your nice clothes and school shoes. No sidewalk chalk, kites, and anything else that will still be there when you leave. Your stroller. Get a backpack or front style carrier instead. Most trails are not level or wide enough for a stroller to pass anyway. Your radio, unless you have headphones. I do not share your love of Kid Rock. Bounce houses, kiddie pools, slip and slides, air soft guns, and karaoke machines are also a no.
Enjoy the end of spring and for anyone up north enjoy the beginning of your camping season!
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