Don’t worry; you’re not the first person new to the camping scene. Even though it’s one of the oldest activities, there are still a lot of people who have never experienced sleeping under the stars. The important thing is you want to change that. But we want to make sure you get the most out of the adventure. Here’s how first-time campers can make their trip easier.

Pack for the weather

The place you travel to might have a different climate than where you currently are. Even if it doesn’t, remember that camping means staying outside. The temperature will be something you need to consider either way. There’s no home for you to step inside to keep warm.

Dress for the weather and bring extra support. Focus on layering because that’s best at keeping all your body heat inside. Furthermore, your camping gear needs to be water-resistant and sturdy enough to survive the weather. Overpacking is fine as long as you can carry the items.

Arrive at daylight

If you’re traveling far, you need to leave as early as possible. Don’t arrive at the site during the evening or close to it. You need plenty of sunlight to scope out the place and make sure it’s safe. You also need the light to set up camp and level your rooftop tent.

Don’t attempt to operate or conduct any of these tasks with the sun setting. Leave your home at dawn if you need to. After you set up camp, take some time to walk around and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Make sure you know where the road is in case you get turned around at any point, and walk around to see where the best and worst reception areas are.

Separate food and sleep

Where you sleep and where you eat should never be close in proximity to each other. Wildlife will smell your food and want to get close. Therefore, you want to ensure the food isn’t near your sleeping quarters.

Keep an appropriate distance between the kitchen area and the tent. And when you finish your meals, never leave them out. Put all food away and keep it away from animals.

Bring plenty of lighting

When the sun goes down, you still need to see. The fire you start won’t always be enough. Plus, at one point, you’ll need to put it out. Bring along plenty of flashlights and lanterns for adequate lighting. Some campers even consider bringing tree lights and torches.

Set the lighting around the site and keep a portable one nearby. Keep a flashlight and plenty of backup batteries on your person at all times.

Your first-time camping trip will be easy and so much fun that you’ll want to start making it an annual thing.