Camping Tips: How To Make The Most Out Of Your Camping Trip

Robert Baden Powell said, “A week of camp life is worth 6 months of teaching.” But whether you are looking for a lesson in living simply or just looking to escape the fast pace of city life, Allianz Your Cover (www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk) offers a few maxims that are the cornerstones of any successful camping trip.

Check it once – and check it again!

Check all of your equipment twice before you leave.  Make sure you have all the correct pieces for your tent and that you can put it up properly, or might be sleeping under the stars.  Whilst it is tempting to follow your instinct, it is wiser to follow the instructions, especially if it is a new or a particularly large tent with many parts.

Is everything that requires electricity fully charged?  Do you have cash in case of an emergency? If you are travelling by car, are your car insurance policy and breakdown cover fully up to date?  Are the car battery and engine fluid levels topped up?  These are questions you should be asking yourself before you leave so you’re not caught out later down the line.

Location, Location, Location

Britain is blessed with an abundance of excellent spots for camping, many of which offer campers the chance to see some of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside.  To make your trip more interesting, find a campsite near a heritage site or stretch of coastline.

Burnbake in Corfe Castle, Dorset is a great example of a campsite with something for everyone.  It is set in unspoilt woodlands with a stream running through it, and has rope swings and woodland play areas for the children.  Just a few miles down the road is sea spectacle of Lulworth cove and also nearby is the charming Monkey World, which is home to hundreds of rescued monkeys.

Getting the right pitch

How you pitch your tent is an important factor in making the most of your camping trip.  So take heed of received camping wisdom:

• If you can, pitch up in daylight and slightly up bank.  This will help avoid your tent becoming a paddling pool should the heavens open.
• Pitching near tree cover is also handy in case you get caught short in the middle of the night.
• Set the opening of your tent at a 90-degree angle from your campfire or barbecue, so you don’t end up with a smoke filled-tent.
• If it is windy, make sure to have the smaller end of the tent face into the wind and peg in all the guy ropes in at 45-degree angles.
• If this still doesn’t feel like it’s enough, find large stones to weigh down the tent so you don’t blow away.

Preparation

The motto of the Scouts is ‘Be Prepared’.  So go before you head into the wild, go through this checklist of to ensure you’re not caught short in the countryside.

• Check the weather and bring appropriate clothing and sleeping equipment for it.
• Ensure you have the means to make a fire.
• At the very least, pack a tent, ground mat and a sleeping bag.
• Stock up in appropriate food (and the means of opening and cooking it) and plenty of water.
• If you are going somewhere with lots of bugs, take some anti-midge lotion or citronella to keep them at bay.

But to get the most out of your trip, make sure you travel with a sense of adventure and a sense of humour. The more items you bring (over the necessaries) the more distractions there are.  So turn off the mobile, sit back, relax and enjoy what nature has to offer.