Camping Basics | Camping For Beginners | Dallaswear

Camping Essentials

With holidays abroad being unlikely at the moment due to Covid19, have you considered a staycation when restrictions ease or more specifically, camping? The great outdoors is a great thing and all the more appreciated under present circumstances. If you haven’t been camping before what will you need to ensure a great experience?

Well, obviously, you will need a tent. It’s a good idea to get a tent slightly bigger than you think you will need to allow for a little more comfort. Tents come in all shapes and sizes, so allow for one or two extra people and you are ready for your new adventure.

You will get some tent pegs with your tent when you buy it, but it is advisable to purchase some spares because they can easily be overlooked and left behind when you pack up your tent and can bend out of shape when you secure the tent.

You will need sleeping bags for everyone. Even in a hot climate it will be surprisingly cool at night, so don’t forget your sleeping bags! For the beginner, air beds are a good option. You really need something to keep you off the ground, a sleeping mat and air beds are cheap, so a good place to start but if you have use of a car on your trip you could purchase camp beds for a little more luxury.

Of course, you will need pillows to aid a good night’s sleep, you can bring spare ones from home.

If you intend to cook you will need a camping stove. You’ll also need fuel for the stove and some pots and pans, cooking utensils and cutlery.

It’s a good idea to take a jerry can, so you can keep a supply of water, so you don’t have to go to the site tap all the time.

Camping chairs are a must if you plan to spend any time on the camp site.

Now you have the essentials for your first camping trip all that remains is to chose and book your location. This has been made so much easier by the internet, for now you can thoroughly research the area you would like to stay in, the local areas of interest, your camp site and the availability of facilities. There are plenty of reviews from previous campers and prices are readily available.

It is worth noting that Scotland is the only region of the United Kingdom where, aside from Dartmoor in England, it is legal to wild camp. This means that in Scotland you can camp on any open land, with the only exemption being Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park which has a permit scheme limiting the number of campers.