Cover (Photo by Vlad Bagacian/Pexels.com)
(Photo by Vlad Bagacian/Pexels.com)
1 / 1
Make this long weekend break memorable. Know what to bring and do on your camping trip
A rite of passage for anyone who loves nature, camping is the pinnacle of family bonding. Nothing says family time like an overnight stay in the middle of the woods with no internet or electricity. But before you hop into your car and go to the nearest camping spot, you need to be prepared. It's not as simple as setting up a tent and going to sleep. There are things you'll need and want to bring, food to cook over an open fire, and advice you'll want to know.
You don't need to be a pro camper to have fun, but these tips will help you on your journey to explore the wilderness!
More from Tatler: Where to go this summer: 5 car camping spots in the Philippines
Above (Photo by Anthony Acosta/Pexels.com)
(Photo by Anthony Acosta/Pexels.com)
1 / 1
What to pack
When you plan on spending a couple of days out in the wilderness, you’ll, of course, want the essentials. A tent, flashlight, water bottles, toiletries, a first aid kit and fresh clothes are no-brainers. But if you really value comfort, bringing extra pillows and soft padding for your tent makes for a comfortable night's sleep. Make sure you also bring power banks to keep your devices charged, as electricity is sure to be scarce. It also wouldn’t hurt to bring a speaker or musical instruments to keep your party entertained. Other nice-to-haves are foldable chairs and a tarp so you could lounge around, coffee for when you wake up early in the morning, and a knife, just in case.
But what you need really need to bring is a cheerful attitude. You won’t be able to have much fun if one of you is grumpy from the long drive. This is a time for your group to bond and get to know each other better.
Above (Photo by Leah Kelley/Pexels.com)
(Photo by Leah Kelley/Pexels.com)
1 / 1
Have a plan
As soon as you get to the campsite, it’s best to set up your tent as soon as possible. Out here, when it rains, it pours. Literally. Put on that warm jacket that you packed and take shelter quickly. You wouldn’t want to catch a cold during the long weekend. If the rain isn’t letting up, knowing where to go next is always a good idea. Though it is disheartening to have your camping trip cancelled, it’s best not to tough it out when it gets dangerous.
Rain isn’t your only enemy. When you’re camping, you’re exposed to the elements. What happens if the camp stove you brought isn’t working? What if the tent broke? What if you don’t have enough food? Always be prepared for what can go wrong, but hope that everything will go right. Do that, and you’ll have a great time!
Read more: Off the beaten path: 5 unique adventure destinations for Holy Week
Above (Photo by Jan Kopřiva/Pexels)
(Photo by Jan Kopřiva/Pexels)
1 / 1
Bring campfire-friendly food
Part of the whole camping experience is cooking your own food on a bonfire that you made. Hotdogs are a camper’s staple food, as are other meats cooked barbecue-style. One thing you should never forget is marshmallows. Anyone who’s ever been camping roasted marshmallows, and it’s become a worldwide tradition that every camper must do.
Above (Photo by Matheus Bertelli/Pexels.com)
(Photo by Matheus Bertelli/Pexels.com)
1 / 1
Make use of the campsite amenities
Look, you don’t have to be Bear Grylls for the full camping experience. So take advantage of the campsite amenities. Going to the bathroom behind a bush can be appealing to some, but let’s be honest, it’s tough. So use everything you can to be as comfortable as possible. That means bathrooms, grills, dining tables, and even sleeping bags if you need them. The whole point of camping is to have fun while being surrounded by nature.
When you're all worn out from the wilderness and decide to head home, always make sure that you leave the campsite the way you found it. As cheesy as it sounds, take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
NOW READ
Clark International Airport is opening more flights this 2023
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
