Camping 101: An Introduction

Maybe you haven’t been camping since childhood. Maybe you’ve never been camping at all. With all of the information and gear options, it can be a bit overwhelming. Look no further - the Winona Outdoor Collaborative is here to help! 

Because there are a lot of considerations and a lot of potential information to cover when you start camping, we’re only going to do a surface level dive into each of these topics. We’ve provided links for you to watch videos with more information, though. And, we’re offering a Camping Basics Workshop this June!

Camping Checklist

Before you head out to the campsite, you’ll want to make sure that you have the equipment you’ll need to have an enjoyable (and safe) time! Part of what we love about camping is that there is very little gear needed to get outdoors - it’s up to you much or how little you bring with you. Some people want all the comforts of home, while others want to be more minimalist in their camping set-up.

If it’s your first time camping, you may want to rent or borrow some of this equipment so that you don’t have to invest too much money up front. (Stay tuned, the WOC has plans to open a low-cost gear rental facility in the coming months!) As you camp more, you’ll learn what equipment you like and what equipment you can get by without - at that point, you’ll likely start to acquire more of your own gear!

Below, you’ll find a list with some of the basic equipment that you’ll want to bring with you: 

• Sleeping Set-up

  • Tent

  • Sleeping bags

  • Sleeping pads

  • Camp pillow

• Kitchen supplies

  • Stove & fuel

  • Pots & pans

  • Knives & other utensils

  • Plate/bowl

  • Camp soap & scrubber

  • Food

  • Cooler

• Misc. 

  • Headlamps, flashlights, lanterns, etc.

  • Camp chairs

  • Camp table (if no picnic table at site)

  • Firewood & firestarters & an axe

  • First aid kit

  • Insect repellent & sunscreen

  • Clothing & rainwear

It might be difficult to decide on exactly what type of each piece of equipment you want, but starting out with a basic model is never a bad idea or talk to your friends & see what they recommend! 

How to Set up Your Campsite

First, you’ll want to choose the area you’ll put your tent. If you’re camping in a campground, most campsites will have a picnic table, firepit, and flat area for your tent. If you’re camping in the backcountry, you’ll want to search for a space that has a flat area for your tent. The space should be free of live vegetation, tree roots, and sharp rocks. An area that is shady and protected from winds would be ideal, but do the best you can with the space you are. You’ll also want to make sure your tent is set up far enough away from the firepit. 

Once the spot is chosen, you’ll want to set up your tent. Tents can be more than just where you sleep - they can be a place to store gear, play games, and hang out/provide shelter when the weather isn’t great. Follow the instructions that come with your tent and be sure to stake it down! Inside the tent, you’ll want to set up your sleeping pads & sleeping bags. You can even make the space cozy with lights!

This is just the basics, but you may want to get more creative with your campsite! Did you bring yard games? Did you bring a hammock to lounge in and read a book? 

For more information on setting up your campsite, check out this video from REI!

How to Stay Warm While Sleeping

The first step in sleeping warm is making sure you have a sleeping bag and sleeping pad! Sleeping bags are rated for specific temperatures. For example, a sleeping bag could be named the Trestle 15. This means that the sleeping bag will keep an average person comfortable while sleeping at 15 degrees! Sleeping pads prevent the loss of body heat into the ground while you’re sleeping and play a vital role in keeping you warm. Each pad is rated with an “R-value” (e.g. R-2) different temperature conditions. The higher the R-value, the warmer you’ll sleep! 

Other tips for staying warm while sleeping include wearing plenty of layers, keeping a spare pair of dry socks specifically for sleeping, or filling a water bottle with hot water to act as a heater in your sleeping bag!

For more information on how to sleep warm, check out this video from REI!

How to Build a Campfire 

One of the most important things about fires, is that you build them responsibly and safely. You should only build a fire in the designated ring so that you lessen the impact on nature and keep the fire safely contained. It’s also a good idea to always check on fire restrictions prior to starting a fire. In some places, severe dry spells can cause campfires to be too dangerous. 

To create a successful fire, you’ll want to have tinder, kindling, and firewood. Tinder is small twigs, dry leaves, or needles. Kindling is small sticks, typically less than an inch in diameter. Firewood is the larger pieces of wood that will keep the fire going once it’s started. 

Place the tinder and kindling in the firepit first. Light the tinder with a match, lighter, or a firestarter. After the tinder is lit, blow lightly at the base of the fire to help increase flame. As the tinder and kindling burn, add firewood onto the fire. Ideally, you should burn each piece of wood completely to ash. (Make sure you’re eating plenty of s’mores during the fire!!)

When you’re ready to be done with the fire, make sure you extinguish it all the way by pouring water on the fire and stirring the ashes. 

For more information on how to build a campfire, check out this video from REI!

How to Cook while Camping 

You can cook food while camping over your campfire, or you can bring a fuel stove. While cooking outdoors may seem intimidating, it’s not much different than cooking in your home! Bring your favorite foods with you and be sure to cook plenty of food because you’ll likely be extra hungry while camping! 

Some people like to measure ingredients ahead of time so you don’t bring unnecessary amounts of food with you. Cooking food in advance and freezing it, then cooking it at the campsite can be an easy hack as well! 

For more information on cooking while camping, check out this video from REI or check out Fresh Off the Grid for camping recipe ideas!

While these are some of the more technical aspects to camping, there are so many magical moments that you’ll experience. Hiking, paddling, or laying in hammock with a good book are all excellent ways to spend your time while camping. Look into what there is to explore near you and consider trying something new!

Whew! That was a lot of information in a short amount of time. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, or want to take some of this basic knowledge to the next level, consider signing up for our Camping Basics workshop! Check out this workshop, and others, on our website: https://www.winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com/workshops. 

See you out there, camping!