Taking a friend or family member camping for the first time gives you the opportunity to shape their experience. If done right, you can help them fall in love with camping. If done wrong, they might hate it and never want to go camping with you again—which can be especially frustrating if your partner is in a relationship.
I’ve taken several friends and family camping for the first time, so I know that camping can be intimidating or uncomfortable for people who don’t have much or no camping experience. So how do you introduce camping to someone and show them how much fun it is?
Comfort is a key factor in making your first camping trip a success. Sleep well in the tent This can be the deciding factor in whether or not someone goes camping again. But aside from choosing comfortable sleeping gear, there are other ways to introduce your friends and family to the wonderful world of camping.
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In this post, I’ve summarized my best tips for taking someone camping for the first time so that they have a great experience and want to go camping again.
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1. Start with a simple 1-2 night car camping trip
It may be tempting to plan an epic backpacking trip to your favorite remote spot, but trust me, if your partner or friend has never been camping before, it’s best to start small. Try to keep things simple and make things as easy as possible so you can enjoy your time outdoors together.
Start with a one or two night car camping trip. That way if the campground doesn’t have showers, it won’t (hopefully) be a big deal. Plus, if you forget something important, there happen to be too many bugs, or they’re just not feeling well, you can pack up and go home.
Short 1-2 night trips also allow your camping buddies to learn from the experience so they can be better prepared next time.
2. Stay at a paid campsite
Taking my wife camping for the first time and expecting her Dig a hole to defecate That might be a bit too much. Or if your friend is the type of person who showers every day, they might not want to go three days without a shower.
Although I love Dispersed Camping It provides privacy while providing access to facilities such as toilets, showers, drinking water, picnic tables and trash cans, making it more convenient for first-time campers who are not used to harsh conditions.
Reserving a paid campsite also ensures that you won’t have to drive endlessly on a dirt road only to find out that all the nice campsites are taken on Friday afternoon.
Staying at a paid campground can ease first-time campers into camping, and once they’re hooked, you can start going to more remote locations.
3. Pack for comfort
If someone has never been camping before, they may need your help knowing what to bring on their first camping trip. Take the lead on this and make a list so you don’t forget anything. You can also download my Car Camping Packing List For easy reference.
Don’t skimp! Car camping gives you the flexibility to bring extra comfort items. Don’t be afraid to bring a real pillow, an air mattress or double sleeping pad, a cozy blanket, camping slippers, etc…
Some of the “luxury” items I like to bring when car camping are:
4. Help them prepare
When I try a new activity, I like to be informed beforehand so I know what to expect. The easiest way to help someone feel more confident and prepared for their first camping trip is to send them some helpful camping resources like my Camping 101 ArticlesThat way, they can pack and prepare any specific items they think they might need, and there won’t be as many surprises.
5. Choose a scenic spot
If you want to convince someone that camping is awesome, you need to show them why. For your first camping trip, choose a scenic spot so you can wow them with the beauty of nature. If you’re going to a popular campground, make sure to reserve a spot in advance so you can get a good spot.
Whether it’s stunning mountain views, a campsite on the beach, or a peaceful spot by the lake, there’s something about the great outdoors that will capture your heart. You can even make your trip more collaborative by purchasing a guidebook or map and researching attractions together ahead of time.
6. Go when the weather is nice
When the weather is nice, the scenery is even better. Don’t plan to take someone camping for the first time when the insect infestation is at its worst, rain is in the forecast, or the temperature drops below 40 degrees at night.
Instead, plan your camping trip when the weather and conditions are more likely to cooperate. For example, late summer isn’t as hot or crowded as midsummer, and most bugs are dead by then. Fall is also a great time to go camping for the first time, and you might even see some pretty fall colors.
Tip: Check the weather before you go so you can be prepared. Also, don’t be afraid to postpone your trip if the weather is bad – it’s better to wait for more favorable weather than to risk having a dismal first camping experience!
7. Cook delicious food
Leaving a first-time camper hungry in the campground is a surefire way to discourage them from ever going back.
Bringing enough food and cooking delicious camping meals is an easy way to make your first camping trip happier. Put some thought into preparing meals you know they’ll enjoy – whether it’s tacos, pasta (my personal favorite), burgers or curry.
The key to easy camp cooking is to prepare as many ingredients as possible at home first. Chop your veggies, pre-measure your spices, and marinate your proteins so that everything is ready to go in the pot.
If you’re having soup or chili, you can make a meal at home and reheat it at camp. Whatever you prepare at home before your trip will make mealtime less stressful and make cleanup easier.
Also, if your camping buddies love cooking, get them involved. You can teach them your best cooking techniques. Camping Cooking Tipsthey might even want to dominate next time.
Don’t forget coffee and some evening drinks!
8. Gather a group of friends
While it’s nice to spend some quality time alone with your partner or family, camping with a group of friends can be a real treat, especially for first-time campers. Not only will group activities reduce your stress levels, but hanging out with friends around the campsite will hopefully give first-time campers a taste of just how great camping can be.
While you’re at it, ask your friends for suggestions and ideas for making camping fun. They might come up with games or Camping Recipes You didn’t expect that!
9. Plan fun activities
Relaxing around your campsite is a great way to unwind and enjoy nature, but I also recommend planning some outdoor activities to make the most of your trip.
Some ideas might be:
Taking someone camping for the first time is also a great way to expose them to more of the outdoors, so keep it lighthearted.
10. Listen to their fears
It’s easy to be overlooked by first-time campers Fear of the outdoorsbut it’s the worst thing to do if you want to convince them that camping is fun.
Instead, listen to their concerns and try to understand where they’re coming from. Then, together you can confront those fears and help them realize that camping is safe and that any risks can be mitigated through advance planning.
11. Let you spend quality time together
Spending quality time together outdoors is a great way to enhance and deepen your relationship, and maybe even add a little romance (if you’re camping with your partner).
Here are some ways you can make your first camping trip with your partner more enjoyable:
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Have you ever taken a friend or partner camping for the first time? How was your experience? What advice would you give? Leave a comment below.
