You probably already experienced it: the excitement before the great journey, the longing for adventure and the fear of the unknown. Well, maybe the feelings before your first camping trip won’t be so dramatic, nevertheless you can benefit from our wisdom and make your journey (and your life) a bit easier.
1) How do I set up my tent?
Test it before you start your camping adventure! Setting up the tent in your living room isn’t the most practical thing, that’s why a 3D puzzle could help you with your preparation. Most tent models consist of a thick inner tent, which will keep you safe from the mosquitos and a waterproof outer tent, which is placed on top of the inner tent. Poles keep the tent standing and pegs keep it stable on the ground.
Before you leave, make sure that all parts of your tent are handy. Are all parts there? Then nothing can stand in your way anymore!
2) Help, I’m drowning!
Not every tent survives a stormy weather. You will increase your chances of survival if you have tied up the outer tent with the pegs and auxiliary lines, in a way that it does not touch the inner tent. If the pegs don’t hold, use stones or tight your tent in a tree. Two more tips: Avoid suspiciously green-looking sinks and places right next to slopes. Water flows down. You have a tent, not a boat.
3) The pizzeria is not open!
Surviving rule number 1 for camping: Always have enough supplies with you – especially if you’re on foot and won’t be able to quickly reach the next place. Should you have not taken seriously this very important rule, don’t worry, you will not starve. With a bit of luck there will be a small shop at your campsite where you can buy your groceries. Prices will of course be more expensive than at the supermarket, but everything is better than starving.
4) The toilet is so far away!
With a little imagination you will see why you should avoid going behind a bush on the campsite. A few tips on logistics: keep your things inside a wash bag, so you don’t have to go back and forth, just because you forgot something. Flip-flops protect your feet in the washroom from dirt and fungal infections.
It is also best to set up your tent at a certain distance from the toilets. Otherwise it can get loud and smelly.
5) The WLAN does not reach my tent!
Reaching your data limit and not being able to chat anymore is a sad moment for every camper. And you cannot see the new episode of Game of Thrones? Tragedy, indeed! Camping can be really hard sometimes! Now you understand why everyone is hanging out with their mobile phones next to the reception. The advantage: If you don’t use your device all the time, your battery will last longer.
6) Mosquitoes are eating me up!
Survival rule at camping number 2: Never leave the inner tent open in the evening, otherwise it is already full of insects and mosquitos when you want to go to sleep. And guess what, you are going to be the midnight meal.
7) Oh man, the neighbours are stupied!
Not all neighbours can be friendly and cool (like in our video 😉 ). Unfortunately, you won’t get along with some of them. Tips for dealing with such situations: just ignore them. Visible headphones help or pretending to not understand the language. Works mainly abroad. But it may already be too late. Talk out loud in the tent about things you hope will have a deterrent effect. Last resort: change the location of your tent. Maybe it’s nicer somewhere else.
8) XXX is broken!
Rule of surviving at the camping number 3: Never go on holiday without tank tape! Others call it Gaffatape or textile tape. Of course you can also take the repair kit for your tent and camping mat with you. But there will always be something for which you will need tape.
9) Do the others hear us having sex?
You can be sure of that. If you try a little hard, it’s not going to be the whole campsite, but maybe just the neighbours next door. Tips: If you don’t put your tent next to a family with curious children, the parents won’t have to explain what’s happening.
10) There is a bear in front of the tent!
Others might be able to hear you, but you can also hear the nature and the surroundings. This are probably going to be wild animals, the crash of the waves or the rustling of the leaves. If you are travelling in an area where there are actually bears, hopefully you have your food supplies stored in an unbreakable bear canister far away from your tent. But it is more likely to hear in the unfamiliar silence a small animal approaching your tent, like a hedgehog.
Checklist
Now that you’ve mastered the most important rules, there’s only one thing left to do: check that everything’s there and get going! Don’t forget the camping mat, check if you have all the accessories for your tent, get a thick/light sleeping bag, take enough food with you and above all, choose the right campsite in advance!
Everything there? Let the adventure begin!