The Tent Commandments
Ok, so we're not entirely convinced by the name "Tent Commandments" — but the ten rules below are a great guide to some basic tent and camping essentials, covering habits and etiquette as much as kit.
1. Pitch before play
Perhaps the most important rule. It's so tempting when you arrive at a site to go off exploring or find a local restaurant, but first things first — get your tent up. You'll be thankful afterwards: it means you're not putting up your tent in the dark, and you won't get back to the site and find there are no pitches left.
2. Have the right sleeping bag
Most of us just have one sleeping bag, so this commandment may sound a little far-fetched, but the principle holds — if you're shopping for a sleeping bag, consider where you are most likely to use it and therefore what temperature rating it should be. Also consider a sleeping bag liner: in winter it could give you extra warmth, or in summer you may feel you only need the liner and not a full sleeping bag.
3. Feed me
If you're camping with family or friends there is nothing worse than a hungry camper. Keep your crew well fed, so make sure you have a sufficient cooking stove, pots and pans to feed your camp mates.
4. Dress to impress
Layering is the key here — if you're camping in Britain, expect the unexpected. Start with a decent base layer and layer up so that you have options to remove or add as your activities and the weather require.
5. Don't get lost
Easier said than done — even following what looks like a straight line on a map, it's easy to lose the trail. So we'd change this to the Scout Motto, "Be Prepared": take a paper map. Phone GPS is great too, but only while the battery lasts, so make sure you plan ahead and prepare.
6. Boot up
A good pair of walking boots is key — they'll protect your ankles, keep you waterproof and cope with whatever conditions you encounter.
7. Survive
Don't forget a survival kit, either made up yourself specialised to the conditions you'll be facing, or bought as a premade kit. It's worth keeping your survival kit in your pocket, so that if you're separated from your rucksack you're not without it.
8. Keep clean
This is true not just in camping but all the time — keep the countryside clean and leave it how you would expect to find it.
9. Keep the kids entertained
A lot of the time when camping there'll be plenty of down time, so take a frisbee or some outdoor toys to keep the kids entertained, and prepare for rain — if you're stuck in the tent on a rainy day, have some travel board games to hand.
10. Relax and have fun
Despite quoting ten rules at you, camping isn't about rules and orders. It's about escaping the mundane day-to-day and enjoying yourself — so have a great time camping.
Do you have any rules you always adhere to when camping? Something you always take, or a procedure you always follow? Let us know.