Camping has been discussed in many ways and in many different times, as well as its many necessities and things to do. Everything seems so easy, until one blunder changes your perception of things.

While camping, we know that we need to find a clearing, set up a tent, and light up a campfire. It is very easy. However, everything changes the moment you realize that you can’t get the tent up even with the manual.

How about the campfire? Problems occur the moment you realize that making a campfire isn’t as easy as just putting wood and lighting it up with a match. The truth is then realized. It is not easy to camp when you don’t know anything.

In reality, camping requires you to know a few certain skills in order to make the trip successful. However, it is not yet the end of your dream to camp in the wilderness.

Here are 10 small skills you need to learn in order to have a successful camping trip:

1. Learn how to walk.

First and foremost, before going on a camping trip and after researching about a particular camping trail, you should learn how to walk on the conditions of the trail.

Is it rocky or is it smooth? Are there puddles of water around or is it grassy? Knowing this things and the particular feature of the trail will help you prepare on how to properly walk.

For instance, if the trail is rocky, you should practice walking on a rough and difficult road in order to prevent yourself from falling and getting hurt.

2. Learn how to watch and predict the weather.

Learning to how to watch, observe, and predict the possible weather conditions in the next hour are necessary in your survival in the trip.

Are those black clouds a warning of a coming storm? Is that flash a lightning? Once you see the sky, you should be able to make an educated guess of what will happen next in order to avoid casualties.

Being hit by a storm while in the middle of the trail can probably contribute to a cold. In order to avoid things such as this, learn at least the basics of weather prediction.

3. Learn how to pitch a tent.

You might think that pitching a tent is very easy, especially since many of the tent products sold at stores are accompanied by manuals. However, if you have not really tried pitching your own tent at home, it might be difficult to figure it out on the camping site itself.

The best you can do is to try pitching your own tent while following the manual at home before going on a camping trip. Take note of the few adjustments you had to make. After that, you can easily pitch the tent at the camping site since you’ve already tried and done it at home.

4. Learn how to make a campfire.

Campfires are necessary on camping trips. The inability to make a campfire will make it difficult for campers to see each other, to cook, and to keep themselves warm.

Thus, in order to remedy this inability, try making a small fire at home (one that can be easy extinguished to avoid fires). Try out a few woods and do what you can to make it light.

Take notes of how you did it so that you can redo it in the camping trip. After all, practice makes perfect.

5. Learn how to cook over a fire.

Cooking food over the fire is not really a necessity in camping trips. However, food is better eaten when hot, so a lot of campers bring the ingredients and cook it over the fire during camping.

Before actually cooking a meal, you need to know first how to cook over a fire. Since most of our homes are modernized, cooking over the fire has been abandoned by many. Thus, only a few know how to do this.

However, if you want to eat on a trip, you should learn how to do it.

6. Learn how to stay warm.

Camping grounds can be quite cold, especially the mountains. Learn how to keep yourself warm by doing and eating a few things.

For instance, it will help you keep warm if you know how to position you tent somewhere where the wind is blocked. Moreover, eating fatty foods can help in warming yourself up.

7. Learn how to do basic first aid.

Learning how to the very basic of first aid is a must when going on a camping trip. After all, accidents can happen anytime, especially in a place away from civilization.

Since the nearest hospitals will be miles away, at least learn how to respond to a wound and a snake bite.

8. Learn how to navigate.

Navigating through the wilderness can be quite troublesome, especially if you do not know how to read a simple map or a compass. This can lead to getting lost, which is another problem.

Take a few lessons on how to navigate. If it’s too much cost, look it up on reliable sites through the internet.

9. Learn how to distinguish certain types of plants.

Going camping can expose you to many possible plant types and uses. It is better to read about this since it can be useful to you.

Learn which plants can be for medicinal purposes, which can be eaten, and which can be disregarded since it excretes poison and such. Knowing these things will help you in your journey.

10. Learn about animals: features, habits, and actions.

Lastly, if you want to have a safe and successful camping trip, you should know more about animals, their features, habits, and actions.

If you’re unfortunate, you’ll probably meet a wild boar and ran as fast as you can while it chases you. Knowing their habits will help you avoid such happenings.

In a way, all of these are just small skills, but without one of these, you may have the worst camping experience you can imagine; all for one simple blunder.