Introduction
There are many adventures in life, and exploring the great outdoors and camping is definitely one of them. Well, many people go on solo adventures, but what actually makes adventures all the more thrilling and exciting? Your friends! Going on adventures with your friends is sometimes more rewarding than solo adventures. However, group camping definitely takes more coordination and planning than just spontaneously packing all your things and going solo. But, fret not, as we are going to take you through 10 tips for planning a big group camping adventure. What’s more, with this four man tents for sale, it’s now easier than ever to go camping with your friends! So what are you waiting for? Ready, set, go!
#1: Decide the type of campground you want.
The type of camping is what you want to decide first. You can choose between private and public campgrounds or dispersed camping.
Well, you may ask, what do they mean? Private campgrounds are available throughout the country, ranging from resorts to simple campsites. They are usually the most expensive, but there are cost-saving deals available.
Next, you can find public campgrounds at nearby national parks, and they are cheaper than private campgrounds, but you get what you pay for, as they have lesser facilities and activities.
Lastly, dispersed camping is free and available on public lands. However, there are no facilities there, so pack everything, even if you think you don’t need them.
You may have a hard time deciding which type of camping is best suited for you and your group. Here are some questions to ask yourself and help you in making the decision:
- Are you or your group experienced in camping? If you are a first-time camper, a private or public campground is definitely a safer option.
- Do you need restrooms and electricity at the campground? Find one that has these facilities should you need them.
- Think about the maximum noise level your group can go to. It would be best to find a camping area away from other campers.
- Think about some amenities you’ll need at the campground. Group shelters? Fire pits? Grills? Find one that matches what you need.
Regardless of which campground you choose, always check for the rules, fees, or permits required. Many campgrounds have capacity restrictions, so check before you go to ensure a smooth sailing experience.
#2: Think about the activities you want to do, and find a place that matches them,!
There’s plenty of activities available in the great outdoors, but there are several factors you should consider when choosing which activity to partake in. Firstly, you may find that certain activities such as paddling a boat can only be done should the season permits. Secondly, your group may have certain interests such as rock climbing, mountain cycling, or fishing. These activities are only available at certain locations as well. So, find a campground that provides the activities that fulfill your group’s interests!
#3: Always book for stuff early! The earlier, the better
Well, it’s not a surprise this tip is on the list. Always make your reservations as early as possible, especially if the campground requires booking for a group trip. The best time to make reservations would be at least 6 months before so that you have a guaranteed spot. But, if your friends are reserving on their own, make sure to set a deadline way in advance for them.
Also, many campgrounds require a fee or deposit to be paid in advance. In these cases, it would be best to prepare some cash as the vendors prefer this payment method.
However, if you prefer to use cashless payments, especially in this digital era, of course, there would be online services! There are many online websites to make reservations.:
#4: Split up the work between your group
Get more things done and be more efficient when you assign your group with different responsibilities. This also ensures that everyone is contributing to the experience and not one person is responsible for everything, because this is not a school project, right? There are many teams you can set up within the group, such as setting up, food preparation, cleaning up, activities program, and starting the campfire.
Depending on the size of your group, you may or may not need to assign responsibilities. However, in a group of 20 or more, it definitely helps in making your experience smooth-sailing when everyone has a specific task to tend to.
Speaking of a smooth-sailing camping trip, you can also do up a document to track responsibilities, expenses, group particulars, and equipment needed.
#5: Prepare some easy-to-cook meals!
Doing up a menu for all the meals that you are going to have on the camping trip will make food preparation so much easier. Think of means that can be prepared in volumes, such as spaghetti, barbecued or grilled foods such as vegetables and sausages, tacos, bacon, and egg, or even pancakes. These meals are definitely the top choices for a group menu and you can easily adjust the servings to fit your group.
Now, let’s talk about each meal! Usually, breakfast and lunch can be eaten on different schedules, while dinner is usually eaten together. So for breakfast and lunch, be sure to prepare some meals that are easy enough for each person in your group to cook, like salads, sandwiches, cereal, and bagels. To ensure that you have enough food to last everyone in your group, make sure to not include ingredients that go bad easily!
Also, remember your spreadsheet of particulars? Well, take note of any allergies and diets, and make sure to have food that caters to those people so that everyone can eat happily. In the same spreadsheet, make sure to account for drinks in your food budget! There may be more soft drinks, coffee, beer, and even water consumed during a camping trip, so don’t leave those out.
#6: Buy everything you need in bulk
You should buy everything you need in bulk because once you reach the campgrounds, it will be inconvenient to drive out to the supermarkets again. Make sure to have a few more hands shopping before the trip! Work out some of the arrangements, like making sure the items that have to remain cold have enough coolers to contain them during the camping trip. Well, this should be part of the responsibilities of the people in charge of food preparation.
#7: Budgeting tip! Calculate a cost-per-person.
With all the costs of food and drinks included in your spreadsheet, as well as campground fees, it’s time to calculate the cost-per-person for the entire camping trip. Usually, the cost will come out to at least $40, but if you have expensive items such as steak and wine, that amount may go up to $50 and more.
A cost-per-person will make sure that everyone in your group knows how much they have to fork out for the trip. Then, they won’t be shocked after halfway through the trip when the price tag seems higher than what they expected.
#8: Safety first!
Always remember, safety first! Bring along emergency supplies and medicines in case there are any injuries or illnesses during the trip, especially when there could be some activities that are more hardcore such as mountain climbing or cycling. Take note of any hospitals close to the campgrounds so you know who to call should an emergency arise.
#9: Finalise and confirm everything within your plan a few days before the trip
Finally, as you have planned the whole camping trip and noted all of our tips above, it’s time to finalize everything with your friends and confirm their attendance. Remind them of the schedule, activities, responsibilities, and the items that they are bringing. Don’t be stuck with cancellations that will leave you with more food or missing items.
#10: Pitch your tent, build a pantry.
Finally, you have arrived at your campground and it’s time to start your great weekend adventure. But, before that, there is one last step. Set up your camp with all the tents, enclosed food preparation area (so that animals can’t steal your food!), and start lighting up the campfire.
Conclusion
After so much planning before the trip, it’s time to enjoy it. Have fun with your friends in the great outdoors!
