Seasoned novices and beginners alike all over the world every weekend enjoy the simplicity of camping.



The idea of camping to some of you conjures up images that may make you cringe, especially those of you who have never camped as a child or have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, and have unfairly decided never to give it a fair go.

How much effort you put into adequately planning your camping trip will determine how successful (and enjoyable) your trip will be. Though some of these tasks may seem tedious and tiresome, the more often you put these tasks into practice the more fun you will have doing them.

Here are 30 Things You Must Know Before You Go On Your First Camping Trip:

1. Gather all your camping equipment in a corner of a room and keep adding to it as you think of it.

2. Use basket shelves in your car for easy storage.

3. Store your clothes in sports bags.

4. Make sure all heavy items are secure and are packed at the bottom of your car boot with lighter items on top.

5. Take one prepared meal in a freezer meal that can be easily reheated on arrival at your destination.

6. Make sure you have everything you need for a drink stop like tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, condensed milk, cordial, powder, biscuits, a two litre bottle of water, matches, kettle, wet wipes and tea cloth

7. If you are going away for a short trip prepare your hot dishes so that you have more time to relax at your camp site and enjoy yourself.

8. Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables at every chance.

9. List everything you will eat on the number of days you are away.

10. Keep extras always on hand which includes flowers for cakes and breads, noodles, rice, beans and lentils.

11. Remember long life milk (two to three cartons of long life milk per day should be sufficient for a family of two children and two adults as a guide).

12. Try camping in your backyard to see how you feel about your tent and sleeping bags etc.

13. Your first camping gear does not have to be expensive. It is more important that it is durable and keeps you protected from all weather conditions. Bring a piece of ground cloth with you, a piece of plastic that goes under your tent. Tuck the edges neatly underneath the tent. The first thing you must consider when choosing the tent is the size ie the number of people your tent is going to house.

14. Take cutlery with you that is old and definitely won't be missed if it doesn't come home with you.

15. Keep cutlery separate from crockery by placing them in plastic containers with lids or in a tea towel in a plastic bag.

16. Here is a list of items of cutlery and crockery that may be useful for your next camping trip. A fork, knife, teaspoon and dessert spoon should be enough for each person. 17. Have a serrated edge knife that can also be used as a bread knife.

18. Vegetable peeler and knife.

19. Metal egg lifter.

20. A large aluminium coffee pot, the larger the better.

21. Barbeque tongs.

22. Egg rings.

23. A small meat mallet.

24. A sharp knife and sharpener.

25. Can opener.

26. Large serving spoon and wooden spoon.

27. Make sure you have an enamel cup, bowl and plate for every person.

28. Use an enamel plate next to the fire to warm food.

29. Use an enamel plate as a base for food in your camp oven.

30. Bring paper plates in case you are in an area where water is scarce, and be sure to take your rubbish with you.