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How to Convince Someone To Become a Happy Camper
Summer is a good month to take your mind off work and especially off the state of the economy. But the state of your finances has you thinking you can't go any farther than home.
You need to do something that won't cost you a fortune and the obvious solution is to go camping. Camping is a very rewarding experience and it's cheap entertainment which is also good for the soul.
It's easy to bring along a friend who is a dedicated camper and it's always a lot more fun than camping alone. But you might need help recruiting new campers.
It might be difficult to convince a reluctant camper to go camping for the first time. You can convert a reluctant camper to a happy camper with proper preparation, planning and a readiness to address to fears and concerns.
Find out before you leave what their biggest apprehension is so that you can take the necessary steps to alleviate it.
Fear of the little critters:
Some people fear bugs and refuse to go camping or when they do they don't enjoy it very much. A bug repellent is very handy but be sure you also have some bug spray with you and let them know about it. Check your mesh screens for any holes where insects can come through.
Shower on the campsite:
If your friend needs to have a daily shower then be sure that the campsite has a least a bathroom.
Afraid of being attacked by animals
Some people never go camping because they're afraid of being attacked by animals. Bears and other dangerous animals inspire fear so find out if there are any in the area and if the chances of encountering them are high or low.
Because snakes are by nature very shy animals you rarely ever see them on a campsite. Stick to well-used trails and wear hiking boots to reduce your chances of getting bitten even more.
Keep your food in a bear bag and hang it on a tree where no animal can reach it. Most campsites have places where you can store your food so that animals can't get to them.
Food
Your friend might think that camp food is not tasty so ask them what they would like to eat that is simple to cook. If you're lazy, get instant food that they like but for a better camping cook up some real food instead.
It's important that they eat well on the camping trip if you want them to enjoy it. If they tell you something that is complicated to cook, ask for an alternative. There's always something that they like that you can easily cook.
Food tastes better outdoors when you eat around a campfire with the rest of the crew.
Going to sleep
Down sleeping bags are almost always overkill for the camping beginner. Synthetic bags are almost always good enough for the novice camper even in winter.
Get a good quality camping cot, mattress or pad for cushioning and insulation from the ground. While air mattresses are popular, you need to make sure that they don't get punctured or be prepared in case they do.
Invite an experienced camper
If you know someone who is an expert in camping, invite him or her for the trip. The passion can sometimes be contagious and he or she will probably do most of the work.
Check out the campsite
Check out the spot where you intend to camp and make sure the ground is flat. In summer make sure you have an afternoon shade.
While you're there, check out the bathrooms and see if they're stocked with at least toilet paper.
Trial run
To make sure that everything is in order, do a trial camping run in your backyard. Try every piece of camping equipment you have, practice pitching your tent and fire up the camp stove. I recommend doing this at least a week before the actual trip.
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