Recommended Gear For First Time Campers

Camping isn't what it used to be or rather it doesn't have to be. Some people enjoy camping out in all weathers with a small basic camping kit, but now with the advent of modern camping equipment designed for comfort and practicality, anyone can enjoy a couple of nights in the great outdoors without worrying their tent will blow away with the first gust of wind.

The most common fears people have about camping are:

Lack of camp site facilities
i.e.: Does the camp site have toilets, showers, electrical points for hair dryers and so on? You can camp in the great outdoors perfectly adequately without any of these camp site perks, but if you are looking to camp out in comfort and style, simply research your campsites, join a camping forum or two and check out camp site review websites.

Camp Site Bugs and Insects
Camping outside can mean sharing the tent with a few hitch hikers, but camping survival kits often contain insect repellents, insect bite creams and sprays etc as well as other bits of first aid you'd expect to find in a camping survival kit.

Not knowing how to camp

Camping requires planning and you need to make a detailed list of camping gear, outdoor clothing and any camping gadgets you want to take with you as well as details on how to use your camping equipment. Learn how to erect your tent and use your camping cooking equipment before you set out camping for the first time.

Erect your tent in your back garden first so when you arrive at your camp site you know how to put up the tent. Do the same with your camping stove, try it out at home. Plan your camping meals and any extra bits you might need such as salt. It's the smaller camping items you're likely to forget and yet miss the most!

Make sure you take outdoor clothing and bedding suitable for camping that's warm and waterproof. Many people who go camping also go hiking or backpacking so make sure you take adequate hiking boots and that your camping gear is light and easy to carry.

Read a good camping book and learn everything you can about first time camping so you know what to expect, what to take and where to go.

Not knowing how to travel light

Visiting a specialist camping equipment shop is your best bet for sourcing lightweight, waterproof camping gear and camping equipment. How you travel to your campsite determines what you can take. Car camping as oppose to backpacking means you can carry more.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have replaced the need for traditional camping supplies such as compasses and maps and of course you don't need to follow the stars anymore.

Camping in comfort nowadays can mean a variety of camping gadgets such as hairdryers, microwaves, TV's and even ice cream making kits. The list of camping gadgets is endless. There really isn't much you can't buy that hasn't been adapted for camping.

Boredom
If the weather doesn't allow for camping activities such as walking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing etc, with all the electrical camping entertainment systems you can buy these days you should have plenty to do when camping including listening to music, watching TV and of course you could always finish reading your good camping guide.

Cost
If you want to keep camping costs down, check out local camping shop sales and look on the Internet for local camping gear sales. There are always great camping kit bargains to be had.