A lot of people want to spend time with their friends during the summer. Going to the beach and visiting amusement parks are some of the most popular activities to do during the sunny season. Among all other summer activities, camping takes the top prize.
A camping trip will help you actively bond with your friends while letting you enjoy nature in its undisturbed state. However, your inexperience may lead you to consider other choices. You should not feel afraid when thinking about camping, especially if you found the ideal camping spot. If you and your friends decide that you all want to go on a camping trip, here are five steps to help you get that excellent summer experience.
Gather the Supplies
Gather supplies and equipment before going to the woods. As most camping spots are far away from the city, you will need to make preparations beforehand. Going into a camping trip without the essentials will mostly lead to failure.
Fortunately, there are a lot of lists of necessary camping supplies online. Some of the items you need for camping include:
- Kitchen utensils and tools
- Food and ingredients
- Fire-starter and first-aid kits
- Portable table
- Sleeping Bags
- Tents
- Mosquito repellents
- Cameras
- Loads of water
You must divide the responsibilities among your group to avoid overworking yourself. Once you hand out the jobs to your friends, you can set the date to give your friends the deadline to complete their list. You may also include other items like card games, books, and sports equipment.
Choose an SUV over Multiple Cars
Most camping sites have off-road paths en route to their locations. When you decide to use multiple sedans for your trip, your group may go home in need of several car repairs. An SUV is ideal for many camping trips because it provides people with enough space to carry their stuff and the capability to take on off-road paths.
If no one from your group owns an SUV, you can lease or rent a second-hand car. Brands like Holden and Kia have SUVs suited for camping trips. You can seek Holden car dealers in New Zealand to help you find the ideal vehicle for camping. Leasing or buying a pre-owned SUV is affordable and can be considered as an investment for future adventures.
Create the Menu
If you have no experience in camping, you and your friends must create meal plans for the whole trip. Experienced campers have the skills to hunt for their food. They can catch fish on rivers and hunt for meat in the forest.
If you and your friends do not have the skills to cook, you need a meal plan to cover your whole trip. You can use the easiest ways to prepare food, like making burgers and other grilled food. You can also pack protein bars and cereals if you feel lazy cooking. It is also essential that everyone in your circle of friends contribute to the meal plan.
Start the Campfire
Fishing, kayaking, hiking, and swimming are only some of the many activities you will get to enjoy while camping. However, it is not an awesome camping trip without a campfire. Chop off branches from nearby trees and start a campfire. You can circle the fire, roast marshmallows, exchange funny stories, and drink alcohol. The bonfire will be your most memorable experience during the whole trip and one that you will love to take home.
Most groups of friends have camping trips on their bucket lists. When you follow the steps above, you will get to enjoy the ultimate summer activity. You will pick up a lot of things along the way, but the first camping trip will be your indicator if you want to do it again. With proper preparations and fun first experience, you may find yourself planning the trip for next summer out of excitement.