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If you are about to embark on your first camping trip, get ready for an extremely fun and thrilling adventure. Camping is perhaps one of the most rewarding and educational vacations out there because it allows you the ability to be face to face with nature and your natural environment while also spending important quality time with family and friends. First time campers may be a little apprehensive about spending the night outdoors away from the everyday conveniences and amenities of home, but luckily there are many tips that every camper can follow in order to have the best possible camping experience imaginable.

If you’re a first time camper, or just want to brush up on your camping tips, the following can be extremely helpful:

  • Make a checklist— Before even beginning to pack, it’s helpful to create a checklist of everything you will need so that you can check off items as they are packed. Make sure you only cross an item off once it’s physically put into your bag or car so that you won’t forget anything. 
  • Bring extra everything— Toilet paper, blankets, water, socks, matches and batteries are just a few of the camping items you can never have enough of. When it comes to camping, it’s always better to have too much of something rather than not enough. You don’t want to make it halfway through your trip and run out of toilet paper, so shoot for over packing, or at least be sure you pack an adequate amount. 
  •  Familiarize yourself with the area you will be in— While devices like GPSs and smartphones can help you navigate some of the time, there may be areas that don’t have service, or your device could be incorrect. Before leaving for your trip, take a quick look at a map and get to know the area you will be in. Look up helpful locations such as emergency care clinics, convenience stores, and tourist centers so that you will know where to go if you need one of these facilities. It also wouldn’t hurt to research the specific wildlife that is native to the area you will be camping in so you are prepared for any encounters. 
  • Leave tent windows open— Leaving tent windows unzipped during the day is the perfect way to ventilate your tent and keep it at a nice, cool temperature. It will also prevent your temporary home from getting too stuffy which can be extremely uncomfortable when trying to rest or sleep. 
  • Practice setting up your tent— If you’ve never set up a tent before, or it’s been a while, practicing at home is a really good idea so that when you get to your camping destination, you can easily set up tent and get to having fun. Don’t forget that putting a tarp underneath your tent helps protect it and aids with insulation. 

Don’t forget:

  • Ziploc bags
  • Dryer lint (for starting fires with)
  • Cooking pot
  • Can opener
  • Sharp knife
  • Foil
  • Insect/sun repellent
  • Towels (paper and for bathing)
  • Flip flops for the shower 

Looking for great camping near Houston? Bethy Creek Resort is located on the north end of Lake Livingston, and it boasts top-notch RV campsites in Texas, comfortable cabins, and wooded tent sites, with a host of on-site amenities that include fishing, cable wakeboarding, and more. Learn more at www.BethyCreek.com