Venturing Into the Great Outdoors
For some strange reason, you suddenly hear nature calling you out to the great outdoors, and you feel adventurous. However, do not immediately pack up your bag and go pitch your tent wherever you please. As a novice, you need to know quite a lot of things to make your ?great outdoors? experience unforgettable.
The first rule for novice campers is never go by yourself or with those who do not know much about camping themselves. The blind cannot lead another blind, so if you are raring to go camping, choose those who are already expert campers to go with. This way, you will get to see and experience first-hand some basic camping tips and tricks. Get their advice about campgrounds, campfire safety, topographical maps and much other stuff about camping.
Before you go, visit an outfitters store first, or browse the World Wide Web, for your camping gear. You need to choose carefully, as not all camping gear may be suited according to your preference and need. If possible, get a friend who is an expert camper, to go along with you to the outfitters store, or to browse the net with you, so you?ll get expert advice.
The kind of gear to take depends on where you intend to pitch your tent. Basically, however, you will need the following: a backboard with bear bells to hold your camping gear, waterproof tent, preferably with plastic floor liner, kerosene lanterns, flashlights, a bear bag, light weight cooking gear, and fire-starting material. You will also be needing sleeping bags, basic personal necessities like soap and tissue paper, hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
While you?re already at the campsite, never drink water directly from rivers or lakes, streams or ponds. Natural though they are, they contain bacteria that are not good for the human body. To enable you to drink water from nature?s sources, purify it with water purification tablets first.
It is possible that you will encounter some bears during your camping trip. If that happens, never look at the bears in the eye. They may think of it as a challenge and they may attack you. You can use bear bells whenever you go for a hike or walk. When bears hear the bells ringing, they will keep out of your way.
Please keep in mind that a campsite is not an appropriate place for dogs, so do not take them with you when you are going camping. Also, if you are planning to go fishing or hunting, equip yourself with a license and stock yourself with info about fishing and/or firearms regulations.