So you have a new partner who wants to go camping with you, sounds romantic doesn’t it. Camping out seems lovely until you have to deal with the cold, or the bugs, or the bathrooms (or lack thereof) or the dirt and discomfort that goes along with any camping escapade. It’s vital that your partner has an enjoyable experience because otherwise they may not want to join you again. Not all inaugural trips turn out to be the romantic wilderness getaway we plan, but here are some tried and true tips to help make it amazing.
Be prepared for you and your partner.
Being prepared is key to having an enjoyable experience. Aside from checking the weather and road conditions, there are some other things that will help your partner adjust to the outdoors.
- Give your partner a list of what to bring. I would take my list and pass it on, this way your partner has an idea of exactly what to bring.
- Bring two each of “must have” items in case they forget something. Headlamps, coffee cups and bug repellent are often forgotten must-have items.
- Pack for the weather. It goes without saying that you and your partner will be way more comfortable if you had a shade structure during a heatwave, a shelter in case it rains, or a huge pile of firewood to keep you warm on a cold night.
- Make sure you know where you’re going. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but imagine getting to your campground only to find out it’s booked up and you need a reservation. Or think about how frustrating it would be if you got lost and landed at camp after dark? What a way to start your adventure. I personally would take my partner somewhere I’m familiar with, this way I know the ins and outs of the campground and lay of the land so to speak.
- Check and double check your list and then check it again. I remember camping in a remote area in the Sierra’s a few years ago. A fellow and his girl approached us asking if we had a lighter or matches to fire up their stove. Being as we were the only others at the campground, it was certainly their lucky day. Without the matches we so graciously donated to them they would’ve either had to drive an hour to get a light or eaten cold food. Not a good way to introduce someone to camping.
- For the love of nature, know how to set up your gear! It’s all fine and dandy that you purchased a new 3 season tent for your trip but can you set it up? How about that new camp stove, can you operate it without spending hours of trial and error? Don’t be “that person” who spends half the day setting up camp. Know how to set up and operate all your gear
Make it as comfortable as possible.
For many of us, discomfort is a part of camping we love and accept, but this may not be the case for first timers. Now I’m not saying you need to be of service and attentive to all situations, but there are some ways to ease the pain.
- Have their coffee, tea or whatever it is ready for them in the morning. Trust me, this will make them happy.
- Cook food that is easy to prepare and a quick clean up. Make something you know they will enjoy. Whether it’s grilling hot dogs or making a pot of veggie chili don’t bring a meal that involves hours of chopping and a huge cleanup.
- Stay warm in the cold! Keep your honey warm with a nice campfire, hot beverages, and even a hot water bottle for their bed.
- Give your partner easy camp duties and leave the hard stuff for you. Don’t ask them to set up the tent or build a fire; chances are they won’t be very successful their first few times. Have them unpack the vehicle, set up the chairs or collect kindling instead.
Be informative
Knowing a thing or two about camping will certainly help your partner along the way. Think about your first time camping, think about everything you’ve learned so far, pass this information on to your partner so they have an idea of what to expect.
- Let them know the bathroom situation. This is so important! For areas that have dispersed camping, there may not even be a bathroom.
- Let them know the WiFi/cell service situation. Even if you don’t know the WiFi situation, it’s good to alert your partner that they may be completely disconnected for the duration of the trip. This way there are no surprises when your partner is trying to connect to the internet or make a call.
- Make sure you inform them of campground regulations, some aren’t always posted. Things like quiet hours, pet protocol and leave no trace principles are some things worth discussing beforehand.
- If you see your partner struggling with something, immediately jump in and help out. There’s no need for someone to get frustrated because they don’t know how to work the stove or fold up the tent to fit back in the bag. Be helpful by telling or showing them what to do.
Make it extra special.
There are many ways to make a run of the mill camping trip into a plethora of memorable moments; especially for a couple. Here are a few ideas, but do some thinking and get creative.
- Choose a campground that has exciting natural features like a lake, river, hiking trails or hot springs. Spend some time exploring whatever is available to you.
- Bring something extra special. Do they love chocolate? Bring some delicious hot cocoa or maybe a nice bottle of wine to complement your dinner; keep in mind that depending on the campground rules your wine may have to come from a box or can if glass is prohibited.
- Give them an awesome camping gift. A special piece of gear goes a long way. Their first headlamp, a nice warm puffy jacket or even a cool insulated water bottle will certainly be appreciated.
- Take lots of photos and make a memory album for them, I’m sure your trip will be unforgettable.
So many first time camping trips end up not so memorable, or the memory for you is not so pleasant. It’s important to make someone’s first trip as easy and successful as possible so they will be begging for more. Use these tried and true tips to make it the most unforgettable and amazing experience for you and your partner.
