While new campers tend to think of camping as an event of trial-and-error, with the goal of making it “better” next time, experienced campers tend to view camping as simply a routine event. There are many reasons why experienced campers find camping to be routine, and most of these reasons have nothing to do with the quality of gear being used. Most of the differences lie in the approach that experienced campers use, including how they arrive at their camp site; how they set up camp; how they store their camping gear; how they manage food; how they prepare for bad weather; and how they deal with setbacks. Experienced campers tend to treat camping as a series of routines, and it is these routines that provide the greatest advantages to camping.
Experienced Campers Arrive At Their Camp Site Much Earlier Than New Campers
New campers tend to arrive at their camp site at lunchtime or early afternoon and expect to quickly set up camp before the sun sets. Experienced campers, however, typically plan to arrive at their camp site at least three to four hours before the sun sets. As well, experienced campers try to plan to arrive at the camp site when there is daylight left, even if it is cloudy outside.
Planning to arrive at the camp site with daylight to spare allows for two very important things to occur. First, it allows for the possibility of arriving at the camp site and finding that it is not the perfect camp site. For example, the camp site may have a lot of deadfall trees that would require the campers to clear a large amount of brush to find a suitable location to pitch a tent. Second, it allows for the possibility of equipment failure. Even though the campers may have checked the equipment before they left for the camp site, the equipment could still fail once they arrive at the camp site. For example, the tent poles may have been damaged during the trip to the camp site, or the stove may not be functioning properly.
Arriving at the camp site with daylight to spare helps prevent a lot of stress. Instead of feeling rushed to get the camp site set up before the sun sets, the campers can set up the camp site in a leisurely fashion. The campers can spend the time to properly level the trailer, tighten all the guy lines on the tent, organize the camp kitchen, etc., without feeling stressed. In addition, the campers can use the extra time to get settled in and enjoy themselves.
Experienced Campers Complete All Of The Tasks Involved In Setting Up A Camp Site Before Relaxing
New campers often complete the minimum tasks required to set up a camp site, and then immediately want to start relaxing and enjoying the camp site. For example, the new campers may want to go for a walk, let the children play, or have a snack. However, experienced campers always complete the entire setup of the camp site before they start relaxing.
The main reason that experienced campers do not allow themselves to relax until the camp site is completely set up is that once they do relax, they tend to lose motivation to complete the remaining setup tasks. Once the campers relax and start to unwind, it is difficult to motivate them to continue completing the setup tasks. Therefore, the campers either have to wait until the next day to complete the setup tasks or they have to do the remainder of the setup tasks under the light of the moon or with flashlights.
In contrast, when the campers complete all of the tasks involved in setting up the camp site before they relax, they have completed all of the tasks necessary to ensure that the camp site is safe and comfortable. The camp kitchen is fully functional, the sleeping areas are prepared, and all of the gear is properly stored and accounted for. At this point, the campers can finally relax and enjoy the camp site.
Experienced Campers Pack Their Camping Gear in the Reversed Order of Use
Packing the camping gear in the reverse order of use is probably one of the most overlooked tips when it comes to packing for a camping trip. While it seems obvious once someone explains it, most new campers do not pack their camping gear in the reverse order of use. Experienced campers, however, always pack their camping gear in the reverse order of use.
For example, when packing a camper trailer, the campers typically pack the bed, kitchen, and chairs first, as these are the items that they will need immediately upon arrival at the camp site. They pack the additional gear, such as the water jugs and tarps, towards the back of the trailer and lower down, so that they are not in the way of the immediate-use gear.
Packing the camping gear in the reverse order of use greatly simplifies the process of unpacking when the campers arrive at the camp site. Unpacking becomes a matter of removing the non-essential gear and storing it away, rather than digging through a pile of gear to find the essential items. This greatly reduces the amount of time and effort that is required to set up the camp site.
Similarly, when the campers are packing up to leave the camp site, they pack the gear that they will need for the trip home (such as snacks and entertainment) last, so that they are easily accessible. They pack the additional gear, such as camping chairs and cooking gear, last, so that they can be easily packed away when the camp site is closed.
Experienced Campers Plan for Multiple Meal Options Using Flexible Ingredients
Many new campers plan to cook elaborate meals at their camp sites, and therefore bring all of the ingredients that they will need to prepare these meals. Experienced campers, however, never plan to prepare elaborate meals, unless they have a guaranteed source of electricity. Instead, they plan to use flexible ingredients that can be used to prepare a variety of meals.
For example, instead of bringing beef stew, chicken soup, and spaghetti sauce, experienced campers will bring a few basic ingredients, such as pasta, rice, beans, and canned vegetables. They can then use these ingredients to prepare a variety of meals. For example, they can boil the pasta or rice, add some canned vegetables and beans, and serve it as a hot meal. If the weather turns bad, they can also use these ingredients to prepare cold salads or sandwiches.
Using flexible ingredients not only saves the campers money, but it also allows them to be more adaptable when planning their meals. For example, if they realize that they will be unable to cook a meal due to inclement weather, they can simply use the ingredients that they have to prepare a cold meal.
Experienced Campers Stay Ahead of Bad Weather
New campers often rely solely on the weather forecast to determine whether they will encounter bad weather on their camping trip. However, experienced campers do not rely solely on the weather forecast. They continually monitor the weather conditions as the trip progresses and take steps to prepare for potential bad weather.
For example, if a rainstorm is forecast for several hours later in the day, experienced campers will secure any loose gear, check the guy lines on their tents, and make sure that their tarps are properly installed. They will also bring their firewood inside, close the windows on their trailers, and secure any loose items that could potentially be blown away by strong winds.
By taking these preventative measures ahead of time, experienced campers can minimize the disruption caused by bad weather. If a rainstorm arrives unexpectedly, the campers will not be caught off guard. Instead, they will already have taken the necessary precautions to protect their gear and their camp site.
Experienced Campers Maintain a List of the Gear They Used on Previous Trips
Maintaining a list of the gear that was used on previous trips is another method that experienced campers use to improve the efficiency of their camping trips. By maintaining a list of the gear that was used on previous trips, the campers can determine which items to stock up on and which items to discard or replace.
As well, maintaining a list of the gear that was used on previous trips allows the campers to identify any gaps in their gear inventory. For example, they may discover that they did not bring a certain item or that the item they brought was not adequate for the task. By identifying these gaps in their gear inventory, the campers can make sure that they bring the appropriate items on future trips.
This ongoing inventory management also helps experienced campers maintain a camping kit that stays mostly packed between trips. Rather than unpacking and scattering camping gear throughout the house after each trip, experienced campers keep items like camp kitchen supplies, tools, and outdoor equipment organized in containers or stored in the trailer, ready to go with minimal preparation for the next outing.
Experienced Campers Develop Simple Routines for Common Tasks
New campers often approach each camping task as if it were a unique challenge that requires careful thought and planning. Experienced campers, on the other hand, develop simple routines for common activities and follow them consistently from trip to trip.
For example, experienced campers might make their morning coffee the same way every trip, set up their camp kitchen in the same configuration, and follow a predictable bedtime sequence. These routines reduce the mental effort required to manage the logistics of camping because the decisions become automatic rather than requiring active thought and discussion each time.
This does not mean that camping becomes rigid or loses its sense of adventure. Rather, these routines handle the basic necessities efficiently, which creates more time and energy for the spontaneous and enjoyable aspects of camping.
Experienced Campers Know When to Change Plans or Go Home
Perhaps one of the most important differences between experienced and novice campers is the ability to recognize when conditions or circumstances mean that continuing with the original plan is not worthwhile. Experienced campers do not feel obligated to complete a camping trip if it is not working out well.
If the weather becomes genuinely dangerous, if someone in the group falls ill, if the campsite turns out to be unsuitable and there is a better option available nearby, experienced campers are willing to adapt their plans or even cut the trip short and return home. They understand that a shortened or modified trip is preferable to pushing through difficult circumstances just to say they completed what they set out to do.
This flexibility comes from the confidence that there will be other camping opportunities in the future. One disappointing or cut-short weekend does not define their camping experience because they know there will be many more trips ahead. This perspective allows them to make practical decisions rather than stubborn ones.
Bridging the Gap Between Beginner and Experienced
The difference between beginner and experienced campers is not about natural talent or expensive equipment. It is about accumulated knowledge that comes from camping repeatedly, observing what works well, and adjusting approaches based on results. These habits and techniques were not learned from reading camping manuals, they were developed through actual camping experience and paying attention to what made trips more enjoyable or more difficult.
New campers can accelerate their learning by adopting these practices early in their camping journey. Arriving with plenty of daylight remaining, completing full setup before relaxing, packing strategically, maintaining flexibility with meal planning, preparing proactively for weather changes, keeping an organized gear inventory, developing consistent routines, and knowing when to modify plans are not complicated techniques. However, they represent the difference between camping that feels stressful and camping that provides the relaxation and enjoyment that people seek when they head outdoors.
