I am going camping for my first time and was wondering, is there anything i should know?

Question

are there any tips or necessities that should be known for first time campers? i am also oing fishing so any tips about that would also help

Answer 1

Very, very important thing to remember (I learned the hard way) "leaves of three, let it be".  Beware of anything that has three leaves, because it is probably poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

Another thing is bring military style MREs to eat.  Everything you need for a meal is included, including the heater, so no need for a portable stove.  You can even bring several different varieties and mix and match and create different recipes. you can find both the MREs and the recipes at survivalgearsource.com.

Happy camping!!

Answer 2

http://camping.about.com/od/campingforbe...

http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/C...

Camping Checklist (compliments of camping.about.com)

Shelter and Bedding (essentials)

__ tent

__ tarp

__ sleeping bag

__ sleeping pad

__ headrest

Cooking and Dining (essentials)

__ water

__ food

__ cooler

__ camp stove

__ mess kit

__ can opener

__ charcoal

Clothes

__ t-shirts

__ shorts

__ jeans/pants

__ socks

__ shoes/boots

__ camp shoes

__ hat/cap

__ sweater

__ rain poncho

__ underwear

__ swim suit

__ laundry bag

__ _____________

__ _____________

__ _____________

__ _____________

Personal Hygiene

__ tooth brush

__ tooth paste

__ wash rag(s)

__ towel(s)

__ soap

__ comb/brush

__ nail clippers

__ razor

__ toilet paper

__ _____________

__ _____________ Shelter and Bedding (optionals)

__ book

__ cot

__ comforter

__ throw rug

__ pillow

Cooking and Dining (optionals)

__ charcoal chimney

__ smoker

__ Dutch oven

__ hot dog sticks

__ pie irons

__ chairs

__ folding table

__ table cloth

__ butane lighter

__ screen room

Cleaning Items

__ broom

__ dust pan

__ whisk broom

__ lawn rake

__ dish pan

__ detergent

__ dish rags

__ ppt scrubber

First Aid Kit

__ personal medication

__ bandages

__ aspirin, Tylenol

__ medical tape

__ sterile gauze

__ elastic wrap

__ antiseptic wipes

__ antibiotic cream

__ burn ointment

__ sunburn lotion

__ hydrogen peroxide

__ scissors

__ tweezers

__ eye wash

__ sanitary napkins

__ snake bite kit Chuck Box

__ salt and pepper

__ herbs and spices

__ cooking oil

__ pot holders

__ paper towels

__ napkins

__ plastic trash bags

__ tongs and spatula

__ aluminum foil

__ measuring cups

__ plastic silverware

__ paper plates/bowls

__ plastic cups

__ zip lock bags

__ knives

__ cutting board

__ cork s***w

Miscellaneous Items

__ binoculars

__ bird guide

__ bug spray

__ bungi cords

__ camera

__ candles

__ cards, games

__ cell phone

__ clothes pins

__ compass

__ duct tape

__ fishing gear

__ flashlight

__ frisbee

__ GPS

__ kites

__ knife

__ lantern

__ matches

__ pen and paper

__ rope

__ shower bag

__ sun block

__ tools

__ water filters

__ whistle

Answer 3

when your in your tent at night keep a knife by your side.

Answer 4

If it's your first time I think it's a good idea to buy a beginner's field manual that will go over all the basics...clothing, gear, map and compass navigation, potential dangers, first aid, how to plan a trip, etc. There are a lot of them out there.

Be careful to double check the instructions they give on navigation, though. I've found some questionable advice on this in manuals that I think could get you lost.

There are a lot of good groups like the Sierra Club, etc that provide opportunities to learn outdoors skills.

If you haven't bought a lot of gear yet, keep in mind that you can rent gear from outdoors stores. It's a cheaper way to try out gear and camping in general before making a big investment in equipment.

Answer 5

Hang your garbage bag in a tree so the raccoons dont raid your camp.  Same with coolers of food as they can open coolers (I had one so polite that 'he' even closed the lid after raiding me one night).   Keep your garbage and dishwashing area far away from your eating/sleeping area for the same reason.  

Never leave a burning fire unattended, even for a minute.

Bring rope and bungee cords as they have all kinds of uses.

Bring a good knife, flashlight, and compass or GPS.

Bring raingear; nothing worse than a surprise shower to ruin things.

I never camp w/o my Sirius Satellite radio....I camp 'up north' and there is virutally no am/fm radio to be found.   Sat radio is wonderful.

Answer 6

That answer depends on a lot of things.  The first of which is where are you going camping, are you camping in a tent or an RV.  I usually go tent camping and the only pointers I would say is find a level ground to set you tent up on.  That way when you are sleeping you don't feel like you are always rolling downhill.  Also I tend to put the door of the tent away from where the most people are, that way when you wake up and get out of the tent you will feel more secluded than you actually are.  Last is always bring a set of clothes for colder conditions as well.  This way if its supposed to stay warm and doesn't, you dont freeze.  As far as the fishing goes, keep it basic if this is your first time.  If you have to buy your own equipment, you'll need needle nose pliers, a cheap rod and reel 6lb fishing line some hooks, lead weights and a bobber.  Stick to worms and you should catch something.  PS make sure you bring bug spray, there could be a lot of mosquitos

Answer 7

As other people have noted it is difficult to answer this question because I don't know what kind of camping your doing.  However i will give you some basics.  A previous answer listed about 200 things.  When you are camping you need only the essentials.  Bring a good tent sleeping bag and mat and plenty of warm clothes.  At night the air temperature can drop significantly so dry warm clothes to sleep in are a must.  Another thing to remember is that you are camping so leave your electronics at home.  Your camping so enjoy the great outdoors.  The major thing is stay dry and keep your gear dry.  These are the only things that really matter.  Than just have fun.  Pluss for fishing stuff, bring only what you will need.