Camping may look like fun but if you have never camped before you may have no idea how to camp. There are a few things that you really have to determine before you can figure out what you need to do to get ready for your first camping experience. Here are a few suggestions on how to get started camping.

The first step is to consider what type of camping do you have in mind. Here are some options: RV camping, trailer camping, tent camping, hiking camping, or canoe/boat camping.

Determining the type of camping you want to do can aid you in what sort of equipment and expertise is needed. For example, you would need a vastly different sort of equipment for RV camping versus hiking camping.

Camping descriptions:

RV Camping (recreational vehicle camping) is most like living at home because you bring a furnished vehicle that you basically live in as much as you would at home. Everything that you need from home can most likely be brought with you in your RV. All you really need to think about are what foods and personal items you would like to take with you. This type of camping is generally for the people who do not like to "rough it" but also might like to be social since many times RVs are parked fairly near each other.

Camper trailer camping is just a step more rugged than RV camping. Many times campers or trailers do not have showers or toilets, unlike most RVs. Depending on the camper or trailer, a refrigerator may not be included either. Generally, camper or trailer camping is more for people who do not like to sleep on the ground or worry about severe weather but still want to enjoy the outdoors.

Tent camping is generally more for people who like to really "rough it." Tent camping requires you to think about all of your basic needs ahead of time (food, hygiene, restroom requirements, shelter, seeing at night, warmth). There are actually varying levels of tent camping as well. Some people like to bring a tent and shop for all of their needs while others like to camp in more remote areas away from people. Packing for a tent camping trip can be time consuming because you have to think of everything you might need.

Hiking camping is more for experienced campers. Everything you think you are going to need you have to be able to strap to your back and carry it for quite a distance. You have to be able to pack well and pack light.

Canoe/boat camping is much like hike camping in regards to packing but you have additional considerations. You have to make sure that everything is waterproof. Canoe/boat camping is for the more experienced camper that know how to canoe and or handle a boat.

These are the different types of camping that are available to the new camper to choose from. Obviously some are more expensive to equip for than others and some are physically more challenging. As a new “want-a-be camper”, I would suggest that you tag along on a camping trip for the experience of camping before investing in a lot of camping equipment.

See related articles:

Camping Tents and Equipment

How to Make Your Camping Trip a Success