Top 5 Camping Mistakes

Everyone does it. We plan, we dream, we pack, and we make mistakes. It's part of camping. It's almost inevitable. Try as we might, something always gets missed or goes wrong. So, here is the list. The Holy Grail of the Top 5 mistakes that almost every camper makes at some point. Hopefully, this list can help you. Maybe you will read it before it's too late. Maybe it will just be a sour reminder of things gone wrong.......

1. Pulling in way too late

This one is important, and it's one of the most common mistakes that campers make. I see it all the time.

Most people think they will just pull away from the house, breeze on down the road, and they’ll make it there in plenty of time.

Then, "somebody" forgot to use the restroom before you hit the open road. It seems like every stoplight in town turns red just as you get there. So, you whip into Mega-Mart to pick up those Hot dog buns and another case of water, real quick. That alone takes about an hour. So ultimately, you end up pulling into the campground around 9:30 PM. Your headlights are shining into your neighbor's campsite. The guy next to you is giving you the stink eye as your truck is idling away while his family sits around a campfire. That's it, suddenly your relaxing family vacation turns into an inconvenience for everyone. Don't be that guy/gal!

Always keep in mind that setting up in the dark is way harder, way more time-consuming, and even finding your campsite can be annoying, not just for you, but for everyone who is around you.

It is ALWAYS best to arrive at least 2 hours before dark. You’ll be happier, and you won't have that awkward exchange of glances as you spend your weekend with your new neighbors, who just love the smell of diesel smoke as they are putting the kids to bed.

2. Making a huge fire

Some consider it tradition, some consider it a challenge or even a campground flex, the giant bonfire....Ahhhh, the flames that reach the sky, the heat that pushes everyone back 15 feet, making it almost impossible to roast that Marshmallow. Oh ya, good times, good times!........But not really.

In reality, big fires are generally a bad idea. Smaller fires are better 99% of the time, and here is why. They are easier to control, easier to manage, easier to extinguish, and this is the important one, Way less wood gets wasted. It's like lighting off all of your fireworks with one fuse. Sure, it looks impressive for 15 seconds, but now what? You just burned 6 bundles of wood in the first 2 hours of your camping trip, the paint is blistered on the side of your new RV, and I swear I can smell burning dog hair.

Do this instead. Build a small fire. Log cabin style is my personal preference. (You can find that blog on our website as well) . Once you establish a nice, small fire, with a good base of embers, simply feed it a piece of wood here or there as needed. You can easily adjust the heat it puts out. Push it around with a stick. I mean, what camper doesn't like poking a fire with a stick? Trust me, your kids and pets will thank you for not having a raging inferno. Plus, you can spend more time relaxing in that reclining patio chair, and less time trying to figure out how to buy more firewood at 10 o'clock on a Friday, when the Campground store has already closed.

3. Forgetting that safety comes first

Bring a First aid kit. Don't question it. Just do it! Bring bug spray! Bring sunscreen! People neglect bringing these because, really, all you're going to need is like 2 pairs of shorts and some flip flops, right?

Of course, everyone hopes nothing bad will ever happen, but it’s always better to be prepared.

So remember to pack a simple kit: bandages, blister care, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, tweezers.

Bring bug spray and sunscreen. And do everyone a favor, drink water! This can't be expressed enough. Dehydration sneaks up fast when you're outside all day, living your best life.

4. Not practicing setting up the tent

This is one of the biggest mistakes/embarrassments a person can have. You buy a tent, it looks super easy on the box, and then you’re in the campground. It feels like every eye is on you to perform. You're unprepared, but you try to act confident. That bead of sweat drips down the side of your forehead, showing just the slightest bit of pressure starting to build. All nearby campers are intently focused on your every move.  Next thing you know, you're in a life and death struggle with these crazy poles that make no scientific sense. The thin material of the tent feels like it's grabbing at your ankles, trying to take you down!

Also, there’s always that one clip or zipper that refuses to clip or zip. Always......ALWAYS

If you buy a new tent, do yourself a favor. Set that thing up before you even leave the house.

Learn how much space it actually takes up, where the poles go, how the rainfly attaches, and where the stakes should sit. It’ll be 100% easier when you do it a second time, and you will come off looking like the seasoned camper that you are. Do it smoothly and quickly enough, and people may even applaud!

5. Having no backup plan

This is the big secret, the missing puzzle piece to camping bliss. This simple fact makes all of the difference in the world. Camping is way better when you have some backup strategies.

Because something always happens. Wind, (oh great), Rain, (are you kidding me), Cold night, (OMG, put me out of my misery). Or wait, how about that neighbor sitting around the campfire all night, telling stories you already heard like  2-hours before? Ya, we’ve all met that guy! Who knows. He's probably a great guy, but does he even know how loud he talks? ...."Man, I aughtta @&^$#". 

Long story short, if your only plan is hope, you’re gonna be miserable. Plan for inconvenience. Plan for something alternate. Plan for a change of plans.

Bring along something extra, something that will get you through a tough spot: a warmer layer, an extra chair, a rain tarp, and some twine. Whatever you do, don't forget an extra pair of shoes. Wet feet are guaranteed to ruin a camping trip. Chalk this one up to personal experience. Bring some simple headphones or even earplugs. They can turn an otherwise horrible weekend into the best camping experience of your life. Ask me how I know....

                                                                                                                                   ---- Your seasoned camp host
                                                                                                                                           Eddy Martin