Originally published: 4/19/2016 | 7:31pm
Recently, I went on my first camping trip! This is something I've wanted to do for years, but each member of my family has gone several times before. They've always told me to wait until I get older and go with some friends or once I have my own family. So, I took their advice and went with roughly 30-40 friends for a group trip. I wanted to share my experience with everyone (especially first-time campers) so that they can have some insight on what a camping trip similar to mine may be like.
My friends and I set out on a one night camping trip in a nearby park around dinner time. This was good timing for a large group because everyone could get the day's tasks completed before going camping. It was also convenient for a group this size because there were people to set up tents while others prepared dinner and prepared the campfire. Even if you decide to go camping with a smaller group of people, you can still split up the necessary duties to get your campsite prepared for the evening. This is really important to do if you are working with little daylight or if daylight is quickly fading.
Something important to know about is the various types of camping that can be done. Generally, parks require a certain fee (often as low as $15 USD) per vehicle. If you are doing primitive camping like my group did, your access to amenities is at an extremely bear minimum. Restroom facilities can be outhouses (which we had to use; I recommend bringing your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer), or they can have flushing toilets. KNOW YOUR AMENITY NEEDS! If you need access to electricity, be prepared to pay more for that. If you need a certain level of comfort when camping and prefer an actual camper/RV, that will also cost more. Research camping locations to determine what works best for you based on your available options.
When you go camping, make sure to have fun activities planned. Enjoy some s'mores around the campfire, take in the beauty of nature around you by going on a hike, sing some songs, or play with a Frisbee. Since we were camping as a large group, we took some time to break into smaller groups and went into tents to ask each other questions that helped us get to know each other better. A few of us chose to sleep next to the campfire or stargaze as we awaited the coming sunrise. While we stayed up late, we continued asking questions that would help us bond more. We also took some time to tell ghost stories. After all, what's a camping trip without ghost stories?
Now, when you go camping you do not have to actually do anything that my group did. However, I just wanted to give you some examples of what you could do. Whether you go camping with family, a small group, or a large group, there are some basics that can be carried over and utilized by everyone. So, find your park, find some time, find some people and make some memories on a camping trip. It's a low-cost vacation/trip that can be an extremely fun experience!
Feel free to leave comments below, tweet (@KimiThoughts), or leave a post/message on Facebook (@KimisTravelThoughts) and share your camping experiences or plans!
