by Bobby Coles

Created on: July 28, 2009   Last Updated: May 07, 2012

Camping is a wonderful way to spend a few days, relaxing, and getting away from the pressures of the daily grind. Many people, whether or not they are ardent campers, or novices, tend to make several common mistakes. These mistakes can turn a potentially great few days into a disastrous trip. Being prepared for any circumstances is vital to the success of a camping trip. You should be ready for the worst, as well as for the best.

The biggest obstacle that faces campers is the weather. The weather is subject to change at the drop of a hat, and can bring about some nasty conditions. The mistake lies within the reliability of the weather. Many people will watch the local news, or will go on the Internet and look up weather conditions. The weather is an ever-changing and evolving science that is inexact at best. It is also typically a few degrees cooler at camp sites due to the extra shade provided by dense trees, and there is usually a large body of water nearby that cools the temperature a little bit.

If you rely on the weather reports from prior to your camping excursion, then you are taking a chance. If a storm shifts, and directs itself towards your campsite, then you need to be sure that you are well prepared. Many people will set up tent in a clearing, but if that clearing happens to be in a gully of some sort, then a flash flood will wipe you out completely.

Not planning or being prepared is the most common mistake made when camping. It is essential that you let someone know that you are leaving home, and where you are going. This will give others an idea of how to find you if the weather turns awful, or if something else occurs. Often, people decide that they are going to get away from the elements, and to relax and unwind, but you should make sure to tell somebody where you are going exactly.

Many campers do not take the proper equipment with them when they go camping. Not only do you need your tent and mattresses, but you also need a hammer to help you get the tent pegs firmly secured. An axe is always a great idea, as well as several lengths of rope. Rope can be a very valuable commodity, from stringing up a clothes line to dry wet items, to hanging your garbage bags up so as to not invite late night intruders of the four-legged variety. Buckets, hammers, and shovels all serve several purposes on a camping trip, and should be included.

Mistakes can also include poor packing. At night, even in the summer, the weather can be quite cold. Pack sweaters, and extra wool socks to make sure that you can warm up at night. Do not just bring a barbecue lighter, rather make sure that you have water proof matches. This will help you no matter what the weather decides.

Extra batteries can always be important. No matter if you just charged the batteries of your flashlight, they can burn out quickly if they malfunction. Batteries are small, and take up very little space, so it would behoove you to bring backup batteries when you go camping.

Bring only the type of food that is easily prepared, and that does not need specific cooking instructions. For example, a hotdog can be eaten in various degrees of preparedness. Have a meal plan set out ahead of time, so that you can make sure that you have all of the supplies necessary in case of inclement weather, or some other reason that keeps you from driving into a town to gather supplies.

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