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It’s a lot of fun planning your first camping trip, but we know it can also be a little daunting. To help you feel more prepared, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), shares its top tips for beginner campers.
Location, location, location
It’s always best to think early on about what your camping trip – or expedition, if you’re doing DofE – will look like. Location is important as it’ll determine whether you need to consider access to facilities, such as showers and toilets. Will you be surrounded by nothing but nature or are you camping at a site with washing facilities, electric hook-ups and maybe even a shop to get the essentials nearby? Once you find out what facilities are on offer, you can begin to think about what you need to pack.
When you’ve chosen a campsite, it’s also best to check what is and isn’t allowed for the duration of your stay. For example, some may have restrictions on where firepits are permitted or may not provide drinking water.
Check the weather forecast
As we all know, the UK can be more than a little unpredictable when it comes to the weather, even in summer! Have a look at the weather and UV level forecast for where you’re travelling to in advance. This will help with packing the right clothes and equipment. Use layering wisely: add and remove layers as you go, and don’t put all your layers on to start with. It’s quite possible you’ll need waterproofs and sun protection – a hat, sun cream and plenty of water.
Tent-iquette
There are different styles of tents available including tunnel (which are long, spacious and great for lots of kit); geodesic (which are strong mountain tents); and semi geodesic (which have a rigid structure designed for exposed areas). Look around to understand the right tent for you and your trip. While tents at different price points can look similar, some models include features such as improved waterproofing, stronger stitching, tensioning and lighter materials. It’s worth comparing them to find the best option for your needs. If it’s the first time you’re using your tent, try and set it up at home first, in the garden if you have space, or a park. This will give you some idea of how long it takes for set up, and if there’s anything else you need to consider when assembling it. You’ll also need to check well in advance that your tent isn’t broken and has all its parts. You can find more guidance about tents on our website.
Remember the essentials
Make sure you have a first aid kit – they’re essential. Bring a torch with full batteries too and keep this near the top of your rucksack, so you can access it whenever you need it. Don’t just rely on your phone, they can quickly lose power when out and about. Always carry the contact details of a hospital or emergency services for the area you are in as well. More info on what your first aid kit should include can be found on our website.
Keep your feet happy
Hiking on your camping trip? Make sure you wear in your walking boots before camping, with a good thick pair of socks. If it does end up raining on your camping trip, walking around in wet shoes or boots is not pleasant and can cause damage to your feet. Bring some newspaper with you, and once you’re finished with your wet walk, crumple it up and push it inside your shoes down to the toes. The paper will absorb the moisture, and you’ll have dry happy feet the next day!
Respect the countryside
We all have a responsibility to protect our countryside for future generations. If you’re hiking on your camping holiday, close gates behind you, stick to the pathways and leave no trace that you’ve been there. Read our blog to get the low down on the Countryside Code.
Make a meal plan
There’s nothing like coming back to a hot meal after a long day’s hiking or sight-seeing. Plan your shopping and a nutritious menu in advance so that you can make the most of that feeling. Will you have a camping stove or a campfire if the site allows it? Or will you be buying food from a local shop or venturing out to a local restaurant? Make arrangements in advance to save squabbles over the campfire later on.
Keep hydrated
Whatever you’re doing on your camping trip, it’s important to drink plenty of water. Drink little and often – don’t wait until you’re thirsty, particularly in hot weather.
Have fun!
And of course, have fun! The preparation for your first camping trip might feel overwhelming at the beginning, but with a bit of planning, you can relax, enjoy, and take in the beauty and abundance of the nature that surrounds you.