Beginner’s guide to camping

It doesn’t really matter when you start camping, but whenever you do, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. There is something about being in nature, somewhat exposed to the elements, that feeds the soul. And camping in a tent, roughing it slightly without giving up the 21st century, is just what the stress ball needs to unwind, properly.

Prospective campers beware though, it’s not a cheap exercise. Done properly, and you learn this from overspending or the errors of others, it can be affordable and more fun than you’d expect.

First, you must figure out sleeping arrangements. Buying a tent is probably the most important decision- making process you have to endure.

It can be deceptive, and purchasing the wrong tent can spoil the experience from the get-go. Shop around, not just for price, but importantly waterproofing, ease of setup and most of all – space.

Buy a bigger tent

Do not believe sales staff when they suggest a four-person tent for four people. Because it is way too small. Manufacturers seem to think that four smallish humans, sardined side by side in the sleeping area, means that the tent fits four adults.

It just is not practical. Add at least one sleeping person to however many you are. So, for a couple, buy a four-person tent. A family of four, go for a six sleeper. You will not regret it.

Sticking with tents. Poles and setup can be complicated. Buy from a store where the sales staff are willing to show you the how-to, and to mark the sequences of the poles. Learn it, sticker them.

Tentco in Boksburg is a fantastic manufacturing outlet. Here, you can buy whatever you need for camping, from gazebos through to glamping through to crockery and lighting. Down the road, Outdoor Warehouse, also great on price, a one-stop kind of store and reasonably priced.

But there is another option. Inflatable tents. It sounds bizarre but it ended up being a sound decision. Decathlon, the sporting store, sells these Quechua tents.

It’s easy to inflate, doesn’t take too much sweat and cuts setup time in half. Instead of poles, the frame of the structure is inflatable, and it’s tough.

So far, my tent has been through hailstorms, heavy showers and strong gusts of wind with no damage, no leaking. And price wise it compares favourably with traditional tents.

Create a living area

Next, start shopping around for a gazebo or living area. Again, buy for space, because inside you need to fit a few chairs (in case of inclement weather) and at the very least a trestle table for your stove, food preparation, drinks etcetera.

Beneath it, a cooler box, a camping fridge, cutlery and crockery, glasses and whatever else you need to store. Don’t opt for a garden-type gazebo, rather invest in a second spacious tent. The inflatables available at Decathlon or poled options by brands like Tentco and Natural Instinct offer high quality and variety.

Also Read: Camping makes kids come alive

If you have kids, invest in a bit of extra space and acquire a small pop out tent too. Big enough for them to spend some toy-time in.

Make sure you buy a pack of spare tent pegs. They are like socks and disappear into the universe with mundane regularity.

Ground sheets are essential as camp sites require these. Also, if it rains it keeps sogginess and mud away from you. Buy two mallets for hammering in pegs, his and hers. Invest in a small drying rack for airing clothes or drying costumes. A small wardrobe, either inflatable or poled, is also recommended.

For sleeping, self-inflating mattresses won’t break the bank and it’s a bit of glamp to make the rest better. Otherwise, raised stretchers also do the job. Spend a bit more on camping chairs because cheapies tend to collapse after one too many plonk-downs with an ice-cold beverage.

Invest in hardy chairs

Then, there’s how to keep stuff cold and fresh. Tentco sells an incredible cooler box that keeps drinks chilled for at least two days.

Snowmaster campaign fridges, available either at the company’s Isando showroom or in retail, are fabulously useful. Pack your perishables inside it, power it up in the car’s power socket and later, at the campsite. When selecting a camping fridge, just like with a tent, go a bit larger than you think you might need.

By this time, your bill will be around R30 000 at most. But it’s not over yet. Light is important, and both at Tentco and Outdoor Warehouse there are some great practical options for camping.

Make sure you get both mains and battery operated options, because while most campsites have power outlets these days, outages could land you in the dark or, for that matter, load shedding if it returns. That’s about another R1 500 if you go top of the range.

Now, you’ve got the basics. Next time, comes the check list and unbelievably, the cut-down list; because camping is addictive, and the temptation to accumulate way too much stuff is very real.

Now Read: Camping on a riverbank