Calling All Campers!! Fact Finding for my Newest Adventure: CAMPING!!

No, not for this year... I tried it, a few weeks ago, and froze my tail feathers off!!! lolol I'm gathering info for NEXT year!! lol

Now that I have MASTERED erecting my tent (Go, Me!!!), I realize that camping will be playing a significant role in the rest of my life...so I need some info!!

Any campers here?? My first attempt at camping left me shivering and cold, covered in morning dew, and stiff as a dried leaf!! lol Okay, THIS is not the way to do this! I was woefully under-prepared and would like to fix that!

Campers, of all types, please share a few tips for us novice campers! How do you pick your site? Do you have a favorite type of tent? What is your opinion of ground blankets? HOW THE H*LL DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF WARM AND DRY??? lolol Would you ever go camping alone? Why or why not?

I won't keep pelting you with questions, but you get the drift. ANY ideas/suggestions/wisdom offered is greatly appreciated!! Let's think outside the can ... I mean tent!!! ~@lonelytauros ! lololol

Thanks in advance, Camping Folks!

ThetaKitty

Cover the ground under your tent and put on the rain flap to avoid dew. Also keep things from touching the sides of the tent as this will, depending on quality of tent keep the dew from coming in. A smaller tent is easier to keep warm also. Good luck! And enjoy!!

CuddleDuncan

Dealing with cold is easy in principle: more layers. Being properly outside at night is much colder than you think it is. Hot food and drinks are essential: try not not burn the tent down. Consider investing in thermal underwear.

Mother Earth is cold: always have something, preferably several things, between you and her.

Wet is different, and is the bane of camping. Be paranoid: waterproof everything, keep it dry, wrap everything in plastic bags. Never allow water inside the tent.

Spend five minutes reading up on dew and how it works. Can be more of a problem than rain.

Remember the old army slogan: any damn fool can be uncomfortable. It takes a little effort to set up the camping site right, but it's worth it.

Spend money on good quality tent, sleeping bag, boots and jacket/coat. Virtually everything else can be bought cheaply or improvised from everyday items if necessary. The price you pay for low cost tends to be weight.

If you didn't use it last time, why are you taking it this time?

Find a place to practice putting the tent up and down and setting/breaking camp. Practice as if it is windy and raining hard. Don't just practice till you can do it once: practice till you can do it quickly and easily, every time. Before a big trip, consider a practice night's camping in your/a friend's garden.

When choosing a spot for the tent, assume there will be flash floods and gale force winds during the night.

If camping in proximity to others, remember that just because they can't see into the tent doesn't mean they can't hear into the tent. Beware of a lamp casting a silhouette on the tent wall.

And yes, I have camped alone (without a vehicle or weapon) in the African bush. And yes, that was dumb: don't do it. It was a calculated risk and I was lucky, it was about the most boring night's camping I've ever had, apart from the sound of hippopotamuses chewing.

Gwynne42

Great advice guys. Only thing I can add is to use a "closed cell foam" waterproof insulating mat under your tent that is slightly larger than your tent. It will have metalic silver (aluminum foil fabric) on at least one side. It can be rolled or folded, weighs only a few ounces and costs under $20. Also can be wrapped around you for emergency warmth.

TxTom

To avoid the cold, pitch the tent inside your room at the Marriott.

Yes, glamping us the way to go.

See? You folks NEVER disappoint!!! I'ma start creating documents to harvest this wisdom you all share!! SERIOUSLY..
That way, I'll have my own Camping Manual!!

This is so cool... I'm loving these answers (scribbling furiously)!!

I'll be back to check--in case anyone remembers anymore!

MajesticMango

I prefer to camp at places that have showers. That’s my only rule of thumb.
I will be going dispersed camping soon and at that point a shower will not be of concern cause I will look for a waterfall to soak in

CuddleDuncan

Note that there is no such thing as 'glamping'. This is a successful rebranding of sub-standard and temporary buildings. If you compare them to a hotel or holiday cottage, you'd run a mile or at least want a handsome discount. But by successfully using a portmanteau word to compare them with camping, and making it all sound glamourous, the owner can charge the gullible a premium for inadequate accomodation. It is marketing genius, to be fair.

If you can't put it in the car and take it somewhere else, at least in principle, it ain't camping.

Note that there is such a thing as glamping.

TxTom

Glamping...

Camping...

Oh, I totally get it! I went glamping a few weeks back and even then found myself a bit chilly! Congrats on mastering the tent setup – go, you!

Here are some quick tips:
1. Choose a good site – Look for windbreaks like trees and avoid low ground.
2. Tent & Ground Blankets – A 3-season tent with a ground blanket or tarp can make a big difference.
3. Stay Warm & Dry – Layer up with moisture-wicking clothes, use a cold-weather sleeping bag, and add an insulated sleeping pad.
4. Camping Solo? – Personally, I wouldn’t choose to go camping alone for safety reasons, but I know others love the solo experience.

You’re on your way to being a camping pro 👏🏽

Hahahahaha!!!! THESE ARE GREAT!!! Um...@TxTom ~ You understand!!! lololol!!!

@CuddleDuncan ~ I'm thinking of you... I've always liked your profile pic, PLATONICALLY, of course!!!

@JasminCuddles ~ Thank you for the encouragement AND the wisdom!!! Your insights are definitely going into my personal Camping Manual---under your name, of course!!

I should have just stayed with making a manual!!!

Forgot the climate. Got it taken care of, now...

Jubal

Pack a portable generator for your portable heater or portable AC for the tent. Its also useful for plugging your portable cooktop, refrigerator, tv, and phone charger into as well.

I'm more interested in collecting fire logs and kindling, using candles/flashlights, and "roughing it" when I scrape up the nerve to go camping, next year, @Jubal ! But I AM a fan for generators and power packs for my tools at home! Thanks for the share!