Camping Guide For Beginners




Camping is a beautiful way to get fresh air, spend time with family, and enjoy nature. Learn the necessary steps to get started camping with this guide for beginners.


Camping Guide for Beginners


Carefully Choose Your Campsite


The first thing to ponder when planning your first camping trip is to choose your campsite carefully. If you have a dog, you will want to make sure pets are allowed. When you plan your camping trip, you will want to look at the available facilities and amenities. Amenities may include a place to swim, showering facilities, nearby restrooms, and recreational options. Also, look at open stores nearby the camping location - in case you require supplies.

Purchase The Right Size Tent

Tents come in many shapes and sizes. When purchasing a tent, you will want to make sure the tent will sleep the number of people camping with you. One rule of camping is to choose a tent one size bigger than what you typically will need. For example, if you have a family of four who will be camping regularly, consider buying a tent which will sleep six. This will provide you with some extra space for additional accommodations.

Accessing Appropriate Sleeping Bags

Most people who go camping own appropriate sleeping bags. Sleeping bags for winter are different than sleeping bags for the summer. Consider the temperature rating for the bags you will be purchasing. If you plan mainly to camp during the summer, then buy summer rated sleeping bags.

Using Simple Camping Accessories

When first getting started with camping, you will need some simple yet essential camping accessories. For most families, this will begin with securing basic cooking equipment and lighting for the camping excursion. In the beginning, you can start small then add to your collection as you camp more often.

Setting Up The Tent

Before going on your family camping excursion, take some time to set up your tent in the backyard. This will lessen the stress, which can occur if you set up your tent for the first time at the campground. Practice setting up a tent with the children and other family members.

Planning To Set Up The Campsite

When you go to your campsite, look for areas of level ground for pitching your tent. Take about ten minutes before setting up your tent to clear the area of fallen branches and debris. Consider the direction of the wind before securing your tent - place the tent where the wind will be hitting the tent's back. This increases stability along with using tent pegs set in the ground at forty-five-degree angles.

Planning Your Camp Menu

Beforehand, plan out your camp menu. In the beginning, you may desire to choose a simple, carefree meal plan. Use quick mixes made for camping trips. Create foil pack meals at home before the camping trip. This will save you time and decrease your stress levels during your first few adventures at camping.

Short Camping Trips

As a beginner, you can plan short camping trips to start. For example, you can prepare a one to two-night stay for your first adventure. As you become comfortable on these short camping trips, you can decide to add a few more nights to the next camping trip. As you have more successful camping trips, you will be one step ahead for the longer stays away from home.

Do You Have Your Favorite Camping TIps?

Do you have your favorite camping tip for beginners to share? Please leave a note to help other fellow campings who are just starting!

 




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Toledo Bend Lake Weather Forecast

Columbus Day

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 84

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 66

Tuesday

Sunny

Hi: 86

Tuesday Night

Clear

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Wednesday

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Hi: 84

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Lo: 64

Thursday

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Hi: 84

Thursday Night

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Toledo Bend Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Sep. 24)

FAIR. 90 degrees; 4.00 feet below pool. Water temperatures are back up in the mid to high 80s, and fishing has been tough on the south end of the lake as it continues turning over, with brown bubbles showing up-something that should settle in the next 5-6 days. For now, it’s best to stay north of the bridge. Main lake ridges in 12-18 feet are producing a few bites on Texas rigs and big crankbaits, while creek bends in 3-8 feet are giving up some small fish and keepers on square bills and lipless baits, though not many over 2 pounds. Crappie remain slow on brush piles and natural timber in 16-22 feet, with most caught on live bait rather than jigs. The fall transition keeps getting delayed by the heat, but signs point to a real shift coming next week once the turnover passes. Despite the tough bite, a few big fish have been landed recently, including several in the 9-pound range. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing.

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