We went camping for the second time this weekend at Tampisawan Nature Camp in Tanay. Totoo pala yung meron at merong madadagdag sa listahan mo tuwing magka-camping ka 😅 I was awake in the middle of the night, hindi na ako makatulog, so while sipping my hot choco, hearing the sound of the waves from the nearby river and enjoying the cool breeze of air, I thought of updating my list of to-brings, to-buys and to-dos for camping 🙈 And so I wanted to share these best camping tips for first time family with a toddler below:
Think about what your day is going to be
This is so you can make a checklist of everything you think you will need up to the smallest detail - Kumbaga, equip yourself before the war, ganern, ay may ganun bang kasabihan hahaha 😅 Anong kelangan mo pag magsesetup, pag magluluto, pag maliligo, pag matutulog. This way, madadala mo na lahat at minsan, di mo na kelangang bumili sa site na syempre mas mataas na yung price. Keep your notes sa phone so you can use the same checklist whenever you go camping.
Get a good tent
On our first camping, hiniram lang namin yung manual tent ng daddy ko na halos 10 years old na ata. Saktong inulan kami nung unang camp namin tapos tumatagos yung ulan sa loob 😅 We decided right away to get another tent. After a few research, we ended up getting the Naturehike Village 5v2. Though hindi kami inulan, the fabric is definitely better than the first one we used, talagang mukhang waterproof naman. It's spacious din naman--it can fit a Full Double airbed plus mga gamit namin sa side. May good ventilation din dahil may window sa lahat ng sides. May sabitan para sa ilaw and pockets sa 2 sides for other small stuff. May canopy na rin and extended canopy pero hindi namin kinabit dahil we still have to get another pair of tent pole sticks--hindi umabot yung inorder ko sa blue app 🤦🏻♀️ May nakasabay kaming naka-Village 13 ata yun, okay din yun kasi ang laki pero this 5v2 is okay na rin kung tulad nyo kaming 2 adults 1 toddler lang.
Get a canopy
Swerte lang dahil yung camp site na napuntahan namin ay puro puno, pero if you're staying overnight (or few days), dadaan kayo sa kainitan ng araw and hindi pwedeng nakababad kayo sa araw syempre. Hehe. Thinking of getting side canopy for our tent din 🙂
Invest in good camping chairs and tables
We have the Decathlon chairs. Sturdy naman talaga, pero okay din pala yung reclining chair na mataas yung likod abot hanggang ulo para relax talaga pag nakaupo. Wala naman kayong gagawin pag camping kundi maupo so invest in good ones. Sa tables namin, meron kami nung Okago folding table na 120cm plus small Lifetime table para sa kalan. Mukhang mas okay na dalawang folding table para may extra pang patungan for condiments, etc.
Get a windshield for your stove
Dahil open area, usually mahangin so kelangan may pangharang ka sa portable gas range mo para hindi mamatay yung apoy. Nung una ang binili ko yung para sa talsik ng oil na nabibili sa Mr. DIY pero nililipad kaya bumili ako nung Naturehike aluminum windshield--foldable kaya mahahanap mo yung tamang pwesto tas maliit lang pag nafold, won't take up too much space in your storage, madali pang linisin.
Get a cooler big enough for your needs
Dami kong nakitang aesthetic pero sa totoo lang sa Orocan pa rin kami bumagsak. Nung unang camping, humiram muna kami ng 45L para matry pero narealize namin medyo malaki pala sya for us pati sa kotse namin kaya yung 30L na lang yung binili namin, sakto lang for us. 900Php lang, tumatagal naman ice at lamig. Hehe.
Arrive early at the camp site
Overnight campers lang kami. Flexi yung check-in dito sa camp site so medyo late na kami nakarating kanina, almost 4pm na. Una, wala nang masyadong good spot kasi mas marami nang nauna samin. Pangalawa, you need to allot at least 45mins-1hr to set up everything. Marerealize mo na lang, dilim na tas nagmamadali ka na kasi magpeprepare ka na for dinner. Usually may quiet time din sa camp sites so onti na lang yung time nyo para sa ingay. Hehe. Personally, I think okay yung around 12nn-2pm para may patay na oras pa kaya parang ang haba-haba ng oras. Kain na kayo lunch bago pumunta para merienda na lang pagdating.
Know your reason for camping so you know which camp site to choose
Sobrang dami nang camp sites ngayon. Kami, we work 5 days a week (full-time work-from-home mom ako tas yung asawa ko naman on-site) plus we have a toddler and so we want to go somewhere na malayo sa kabihasnan--yung tipong walang internet, maraming puno/view ng bundok and of course, kid-friendly. For now, yung trip namin ay yung malalapit sa river dahil mahilig magswim yung anak namin. Plus points na lang kung may amenities like playground and may animal friends 🙂 Sa Tanay area kami nagtitingin-tingin since taga-Marikina kami. Wala nang toll fee, maganda pa yung view along the way 💚
Don't just go for aesthetics, think of practicality
Marami kayong makikitang very aesthetic na setups. Syempre maganda naman talagang tignan kung lahat ng bagay pare-pareho ng itsura/kulay. For example: lalagyan ng condiments na aesthetic. If you have a budget for that, go. Pero if you're like me na ayaw mag-all out kasi once a month lang naman kami kung umalis, just bring whatever you already have sa bahay. Di ka naman uubos ng isang bote ng toyo sa isang alis. Haha!
Bring a bucket or tray for hugasin
Not necessary, but something to consider. Meron at meron kayong huhugasan and not all the time, katabi mo lang yung sink para maghugas. Oks to para isang bitbitan na lang. Added to cart na for 3.3. Hihi.
Bring a tumbler
Yes, you have a water dispenser or you can put a pitcher in your cooler. Pero kung may tumbler, mas madaling uminom kasi andyan lang sya, hindi ka tatamarin haha, sasalinan mo na lang pag naubos kesa maya't maya ka kukuha ng baso. Stay hydrated!
Prepare your toddler's favorite snacks and toys - Or anything else na malilibang si bagets. You don't want a grumpy kid with you when you're trying to relax 😊
Know your gears before your trip
For example, nung bumili kami ng tent, tinesting na namin sa bahay para alam na namin kung pano yung tamang pagsesetup pagdating sa site. Ang hindi ko natesting ay yung magsaing sa kaldero, sanay akong naka-rice cooker sa bahay so medyo nastress ako sa part na to kasi muntik na kami kumain ng hilaw na kanin. Hahaha!
Bring containers for leftover foods
Eto kasi nakalimutan ko. Parang inassume ko nang walang matitira. Haha! Pero oks din magprepare nito para di ka na mamroblema kung san ilalagay yung natira (goods for the next day) na hindi lalanggamin o ikakalat ng kung anumang elemento.
Bring first aid kit
Eto, I think naneneglect minsan to ng iba. This may be available sa camp site pero it's better to bring your own, esp if you have kids with you. Thermometer, Kool Fever, Betadine, gauze pads. For meds, bring paracetamol, anti-histamine, Loperamide, Erceflora and Kremil-S.
If you're a light sleeper, airbed is not for you - Okay sya kasi mataas pero bawal sa malikot. Looking for recommendations for higaan. Parang duvet cover na lang siguro gamitin namin next time.
Disconnect
The whole week, you're glued to your phones and laptops. If you are not required to work, stay away from social media and work apps, so you can rest from it for at least 2 days and enjoy the scenery and the company of your loved ones. Just inform your family where exactly you're going and leave notes on what to do in case of emergency.
Relax and enjoy
No need to explain!
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