6 MISTAKES New Campers Make (and how to avoid them!)

[@Katzku]

Amanda, I hope one day you'll write a book(s) on camping etc. With Nick as the photographer I'm sure it would be a success. Love your channel!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@amanda.outside]

I appreciate that! I would love to write a book someday! Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@cynthiapatos9424]

Also agree with this comment. Get a book out girl. Amazon can print it!

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

I agree.

[@boblem5994]

@@amanda.outside I just had an aha moment. I was reading Tony Northrup's photography book and what he did was marry the many videos him and his wife Chelsea did and connected them via a QR code to the topics in his book. Some people learn better by video, others on the written word and people like myself lean on both. This way, your many wonderful videos will be showcases inside your soon to be written outdoor encyclopedia for beginners or dummies like me. Oh, just one more thought. I had my van full of my camping gear in the hopes I can practice and become familiar with set up and food preparation. Some low life broke into my van and stole some gear and a very cherished sleeping bag that was with me for years. I can't tell you how violating that was. So, how about doing a video on car camping security where you are at a designated campground where there are a lot of people around. Just a thought.

[@darlenedavis8690]

Just recently found your channel. Loving your content. I 150% agree with your statement about knowing how to use your gear BEFORE going out with it, especially setting up your tent. For example - my husband and I went backpacking one year. No rain in the forecast, great weather for the whole long weekend. We get to our campsite, assess the location, pick out our spot, and we notice that it's about to start raining. Because we were VERY familiar with how to set up our tent, we had it set up in just minutes. Right as we were finishing the setup, the rain just poured down on us. We hurriedly got our clothing and other stuff in our tent and we also had a dry spot to get out of the rain. If we hadn't known how to set up our tent - and practiced before this trip - we would have been soaked and had no dry clothing to change into. So follow Amanda's advice - KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR GEAR AND PRACTICE!! Another lesson learned from this trip - always pack at least 1 change of clothing in a dry bag.

[@siandefreyssinet4683]

I’m preparing to set out on a hiking and camping road trip with my 1 year old. I’m about 30% excited and 70% terrified, but your videos are helping calm my anxiety a bit

[@Oldsparkey]

You covered them really well. Some thing I have witness on trips I have arraigned. One canoe trip we got down river and found a nice campsite. One guy went to pitch his tent ( still in the box ). After about an hour the rest of us pitched it for him. He insistent on the spot he picked out and refused our suggestions for a different spot. It was in the lowest sloped portion of a water run off or commonly called a depression. YEP , it rained that night. He got flooded both inside and outside , he never seamed sealed his tent , thought the manufacture automatically did that. Always try everything ( YES , EVERYTHING ) at home in the back yard or a local park before going. A different trip in the Okefenokee Swamp one person keep his food in his tent. During the night a Racoon or Raccoons chewed through the corner of his tent to get his loaf of bread. One other trip , Florida Beaches , the Raccoons opened a cooler ( unlatched it ) and took all of the persons T Bone Steaks and Shrimp. In the Everglades National Parks 100 mile canoe trail , nothing is safe , hang your food and hang it out on a limb and high. Better yet use a Bear Vault which works really well if you don't want to hang your food. The Raccoons will give it the old collage try and eventually give up. Watched one try for over a half hour and finally call it quits. I swear he had a really disgusting look on his little masked face.

[@beth952]

So, how was the gnat and mosquito situation at Okeefenokee?

[@ToniBlackburn-j8e]

Dear Amanda thank you so much for sharing. I used to go camping as a little girl but have not been forever. I am now a single mother I want to make a great camping trip for my boy's. Thank you again for all your amazing insight.

[@mikodomo13]

Idk about you but I have PEAK camping fashion. Looking like I came from under the bridge is the look 😎

[@amanda.outside]

yup, that's the look I go for 😂

[@carmenmartinez2882]

I love your videos, they talk about car camping, most videos are gram counting, boiling water timing and honestly I think there are more car campers than backpackers in this world, needles to say I subbed. Personally I make a written list beforehand adding more as I go, that makes it easier for me not to forget, as far as clothes go every T-shirt etc that’s already ruined or even a little torn goes in my camping pile and as you mentioned I overpack because honestly you just never know, using compression bags reduces the space tremendously in your car. I camp mostly in bear country for several consecutive weeks at a time and I absolutely agree about food in the tent, not even toothpaste. I’ve been camping for 40+ years I’m a 66 year old woman camping mostly solo with my dogs (pick up dog feces please everyone and leave no trace). Just one more thing I find some people don’t put out their fires properly and that’s extremely important to do, always carry a shovel, extra water specifically to put out your fire and is never a bad idea to have a fire extinguisher as well, in California if you start a wildlife it can even land you doing time in jail.

[@bonnieruggieri7340]

Here in the north east we have a lot of black bears. I even put the clothes I cooked in into the bear box just to make sure there is no scent of food in the tent. All such great advice you've given for a successful camping trip. 👍⛺🥘

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

More on Good Campsite, please!❤ Great video Amanda. I always learn at least one new something, on every video!🙏

[@amanda.outside]

Happy to hear it!! Thank you for watching!

[@aishcomer]

Yes please

[@YarnJourneysMelanie]

Good campsite! Especially for when you’re looking at a campsite map to reserve for a place you’ve never been.

[@joshvowsandthespaceboat6508]

Tent talk was a good one

[@hopegoround]

Good campsite! I'd love to be more confident in dispersed camping

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

Tent talks 😂 love it!

[@reigningrockets]

I'd love to go camping more especially dispersed camping but I unfortunately live in Connecticut and there are so many rules and restrictions on camping here. Free dispersed camping is pretty much non existent when it comes to public land which really sucks cause I dont want to get fined for setting up a tent.

[@tnt589]

Good campsites please! Love your videos 💕

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

Good camp sites are important. I always "over pack". I have clothes for everyday and keep that bag in the truck. Too much has gotten wet. Such a great video. We camp close to home but these videos are always good to watch. Thank you!

[@dfros1957]

Would love to see more on good campsite.

[@just_joc]

Excellent tips Amanda. I want to commend you for being so organized and for consistently producing great content. I enjoy all your videos. Keep it up! ❤️

[@genesisteresa2773]

I love tent talks! 🙌😍

[@DanielleWhite]

A bit of advice I liked was to do a one night trip close to home to test out and get familiar with your gear. That had been my plan when I began camping in 2019 but mechanical issues meant my motorcycle (only vehicle at the time) wasn't ready until 2 days before I was to leave for the 2 week trip. Fortunately, running through setup and take-down at my apartment and using guidance from others who did motorcycle camping helped me a lot and I had no problem. I didn't even have any "gear I took that I wouldn't again" - the only unused non-emergency gear was a small folding table and it wasn't used because each campsite had a picnic table. The preparation also paid off last year when my wife and I went to Davis Mountains State Park. Not even a vehicle breakdown was able to put a damper on it - our car ended up towed to Odessa for the warranty repair and I was able to get a rental to continue the trip. I definitely second your point about the wildlife in such places, one I noticed growing up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and how animals that stayed near the barn and houses reacted to human presence differently than the ones that stayed in the wooded hills even a few minutes walk away. My wife was disturbed by the lack of fear displayed by the skunks, raccoons and javalinas - they kept their distance but weren't in a huge hurry to get out of there when they realized we were present because they are accustom to human activity.

[@SoapyFae]

its austounding to me that there are people who try setting up a tent for the first time at the campgrounds. like do they not get anxiety about that? i set my tent up twice in my back yard before camping with it just to be sure i could do it even without a youtube tutorial since i might not have internet access out in the wood.

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Hello Amanda, very good information. I always overpack when car camping. LOL!

[@tonypainter6744]

Excellent ! GI Jane Airborne Ranger Here !

[@robertresnik3456]

When choosing a camp site here in Kansas where we can have a heavy dew in the morning, I try to find a site where the sun will hit my tent in the morning to dry the dew. But I want shade in the afternoon to avoid getting my tent hot when I get ready for bed.

[@timothycat9379]

Good campsite

[@shelleyneilon8550]

Hi 👋 from Australia 🇦🇺 just fell into your video on cooler box and subscribed, great info and easy to watch you as you articulate so well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 😊

[@Enigma277]

GOOD CAMPSITE + Three Season clothing advice/selection, PLEASE! I can't understand the trendy base layers/mids/("tops?").

[@20Hikecdt23]

I move on if there is recent scat. Also at night i walk around to see if i am pitching on or near an ant hill.

[@kortniorr7775]

As a female how do you go to the bathroom #1 & #2 if you’re not by “amenities”. Do you have a video covering this?

[@lydiadeblaey9230]

more on good campsite!! planning a trip to yellowstone area and im starting to get really stressed about it bc I've never camped that far from home or in bear country 😬

[@josephcrafa2694]

Being a novice this is purely a question. If ice was put into a freezer bag would that prevent the cooler from becoming soaked

[@pitadot]

You said no food in the tent but what if you’re sleeping in the car? Is plastic container food storage in the car ok?

[@charlierose7309]

Ummm yeah! Where you going to leave it... outside?! 😮

[@matthewrich680]

I just discovered your channel and instantly subscribed. You’ve got some great, informative content that is incredibly helpful, so thank you! I went to college in Utah and went dispersed camping with my roommates a lot in Southern Utah! Such an awesome area to go and explore!

[@kennethwilson8633]

Good campsite sure make the video. Have fun stay safe.

[@annflowers7645]

Love all your tips! One thing we didn’t think about storing when away from Camp was the dog bowl! We had a swarm of birds when we got back!!!

[@anissazaitsu5242]

Good campsite! Would also love if you made a list of all the campsites you've visited and really liked :)

[@GoJoe7]

Is anyone else here getting advise for this summer's adventures? haha - thanks for the content, very helpful! 🏕

[@tonyahindes7098]

Yes, Good Campsite please😊

[@bichonmom5173]

Good campsite.

[@chrisbrowne6027]

Could you cover what to do with trash when not camping at a campground?

[@awkward-stranger]

Good Campsite I like these tent talks. Thank you

[@homeiswherethetruckis975]

Most definitely interested in more on choosing a good campsite. Thanks for another great video.

[@amanda.outside]

You're so welcome! I'm definitely planning to film a campsite video!

[@BlackDogDesigns]

As always, lots of great tips! We live and camp in bear country and I am always amazed at how many people do not store their food properly. I nice had a deer try to jump in my trailer. Thank you for sharing and have a great week. ~Shary~

[@ivybrooks7963]

Do you cook at your campsite in bear country?

[@BlackDogDesigns]

@@ivybrooks7963 Yes definitely, I cook at camp all the time but you need to clean up everything when you are done and properly store all your food and trash. All of our Forest Service campground’s have Bear Boxes that lock and you can store food in.

[@ivybrooks7963]

@@BlackDogDesigns thank you so much! We are going on a trip soon and have never camped in bear country so it’s been a confusing process.

[@seminolejon]

I will be car camping in some bear country soon. I will have some various food items in the locked car with me overnight. Should this be ok if there are no bear lockers?

[@mandyinseattle]

You're so lucky to be in Utah!!

[@carriemainquist757]

Great advice about fireside clothing. I would like to see a video on critters. How to keep.them away, what do you do if they are bold. I've seen racoons as big as dogs and they aren't scared of humans. Tips for dealing with unwanted visitors.

[@Cait683]

I set up the tent (my parents tent so like 20+ year old tent 🥹) in our living room with air mattress and daughters sleeping bag to see if everything fit. She then napped on it on the floor and I now know she DID NOT sleep well, but it will fit in the tent with us. So gotta get a foam pad or something. Good lessons 😊

[@celiad14]

As with pretty much all your other topics, GOOD CAMPSITE would be awesome!!! Thank you!

[@enkidughom2508]

good camp sites

[@brick8253]

I loved the video I have been camping my whole life I'm from Colorado and have basically been all over the US camping I like hearing other peoples tips/tricks! I'm not new to any of this kind of stuff and hope to make it my lifestyle.... I basically want to become a full time adventurer and I just have to say pretty much no matter where you are things are always the same but I hate going with that one person that doesn't truly plan out or just kinda don't care about what they are doing especially living in bear country and mountain lions all over them it just makes me feel like the negative Nancy 😅 but I'm always the over prepared person because everyone else is so under prepared!!! At least I'm big and can carry my weight 😂 I can't tell you the amount of time someone has said I wish I had this or that.... 2 seconds later I pull it out of my bag. My friends say my bag is the magic wizard sack of everything! 😂

[@legendofhyrule03]

We need to be friends I'm also an over prepare person. And I too... Have a big wizard bag full of all the necessities!!!! And maybe some recreationals

[@brick8253]

@@legendofhyrule03 hahahaha oooooh my goodness I love that 🤣 hey I like to be prepared especially with the necessities 😊 and of course all the recreational goodies!!!! I would love to see your wizard bag of fun!!! Ps I have to say your puppy is too cute 😊

[@jessicamalloy5223]

Good campsite 🏕

[@Ghost-Bombz]

Good camps sites!!!

[@rahul704132]

Good Campsites, please make a video. Thanks

[@caytlinshreve3821]

Good Campsite!

[@ebreton30]

We went camping last year in the summer and I was sure that we were super prepped and organized. We had plastic bins for dry goods, cooler, stored all the food in the van at night. But we dealt with wasps. So when it was time to eat they would not leave us alone! 3 of our girls got stung multiple times. My daughter is now traumatized and doesn’t ever want to go camping. I don’t know if there was something we could’ve done better.

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

We only camp during the cooler months because there are no bugs to deal with. It works great! Maybe this will help you. :-)

[@legendofhyrule03]

😢 big sad my condolences to ur daughter. I understand tho.

[@ramblingrosenana3513]

Good Campsite. Love your informative videos.

[@chomp54321]

This is the second video that I've watched on your channel. I'm a new car camper, and I have found your information is so useful and timely. Thanks for the thoughts, time and efforts that you've put into them. Subscribed.

[@rickshears1]

So true. I bought a new sleeping pad and when I arrived at my site for the night, I set everything up. I pulled out my pad and blew it up. When I came back to tent later, it was flat. So I blew it up again (at that point I should have inspected it). Later it was flat again but dark. So I figured it had a hole so I slept on a flat pad. When I got home I inspected it and discovered another valve at other end with a small built in pump box. I felt like an idiot but I should have looked at it before going out and I would have known that.

[@Nellreadsmore]

Good campsite please! I'm trying to get started with car camping and your videos have been so helpful!

[@mandyinseattle]

I'm looking for the reusable plastic bags that you use... I saw them just the other day in a video with delicious recipies.

[@paulblackburn4245]

Always informative. Good campsite - the 5 W’s

[@theonly1film]

great video your so down to earth

[@amanda.outside]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🤗

[@Aworldalone]

It would be great to see those good campsites!

[@annefisher6323]

yes please good camp site video

[@amanda.outside]

It's officially on my list of videos to film!

[@franksom8937]

A video on good campsites would be great! Thank you!

[@ericchan6343]

Just listening to this for the first 5 minutes, i already felt like I learnt a lot from the unexpected! Love your content. Thank you so much for sharing. Subbed.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... What ?? Camping isn't a place for a fashion statement ?? ...lol.. .. Always enjoy your videos ... no nonsense ,, quality information that sometimes does have to be drilled over and over again ... I agree car camping is a great way for everyone to get a srart in the outdoor mountain (or other) activities ,, having the means to escape if any problem arrises .. Setting up a base camp at a vehicle and then going on a day hike or longer ,, be careful of not leaving ANYTHING in sight ,, if a vehicle with a trunk pack it away ,, it's getting to be common to see or hear of vandelism and theft at popular trailheads and campgrounds .. take a couple outings where you stay at your vehicle to access what you need ..

[@amanda.outside]

I agree, car camping is such a great way to get started enjoying the outdoors! Glad you liked this video. It's all simple stuff, but it makes a difference 😁

[@keleighBradford]

Good Camp sights

[@plavedan4269]

Big fan of good campsite. Appreciate the advice! Much better than learning through trial and error lol

[@greymouser2180]

Have you tried packit gourmet Roman rescue?

[@gypsysol55]

GOOD Campsites. I would love to know how you find car campsites when on BLM and WMA lands. I haven't done that yet but my goal is to try it this year. I'm in NE Florida, so there are plenty to choose from. Great job on sharing your knowledge and your experiences. Thank you!!!

[@missizii]

Good Campsite

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

'Good campsite' would be a GREAT video!

[@mariasiewert9190]

Yes, please do a good campsite video. 😁

[@janeross121]

Good campsite video would be 👌

[@amanda.outside]

Lots of requests so far! It's definitely on my list of videos to film now!

[@janeross121]

@@amanda.outsideexcited for this content! I have my boondocking faves at places I go regularly but am always a bit intimidated when I go car camping someplace I haven't been before!

[@VladGuerra5078]

I’m planning me and my moms first camping trip in about 18 years!! More on Good Campsite please!

[@smashapickles]

Good campsite!

[@amanda.outside]

It's on my list to film! 🤗

[@ivybrooks7963]

I’d love to hear about good campsites!

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Good campsites for backpacking/ hiking!

[@susanmorishita1119]

Wow. Those were really good tips.

[@kellywoods418]

Great video. Would love to see a "good camp sites" video

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

All great advise…..

[@jen2196]

You are awesome. Excellent videos thank you

[@duaneschultz9230]

I’d really like to see a full good campsite video. I’m new to watching your channel and have kind of been binge watching it today. I subscribed because I’m so impressed. Thank you for the great videos. God bless you and your family. Duane

[@denisebonetti5049]

luv camping and love ur videos!!!!!

[@sabrinas819]

More good campsite pleeeaaaassseeeee

[@cynthiapatos9424]

Love the videos so much. New camper here and now I feel totally capable 😄. Have you visited a dark sky preserve?? Would love to see that!

[@nancystrickland1623]

I love watching your videos. So informative!

[@amanda.outside]

So glad you enjoy them! Thank for you commenting! 😁

[@Momentumunboun]

I find it very furstrating to find dispersed camping options where I live, or maybe there aren't that many locations here. But there are quite a few campgrounds which I am thinking of exploring, not my ideal situation, and not the best campgrounds, I do like a decent amount of isolation when I go camping, but it will have to do for now! I guess my question is, how do I find decent dispersed camping options in NJ.

[@amanda.outside]

I generally like to do more dispersed camping for the privacy, but I've found some awesome campgrounds over the years that are beautiful, and the sites are not close together, so it's possible! I'm not familiar with options out in NJ, but for me here in Utah, I look for BLM land and national forest land. There's a lot of it here in Utah, but I think NJ probably has a lot less. The app Gaia GPS is really helpful in finding public land. You can use public and private land overlays to help identify some areas that might work for dispersed camping. Hope this helps!

[@Momentumunboun]

@@amanda.outside Thank you! Yes, it defenitely helps!

[@rodgerankarenhowell2952]

Thank you for your help!

[@MellyMelBel]

Good campsite loved this video, would love more as I’m a new camper ❤️

[@mvblitzyo]

So many great tips thanks for being awesome. Joe especially putting up a tent the day after you bought it I’ve done this so many times. Huge oops ..

[@VictoriaAikenVlogs]

Hi Amanda I loved this video!! Me and my family are going camping this weekend, could you (or someone in the comments) please give me some ideas for keeping the roof of my water-resistant tent dry. Because it will be raining for a couple hours. I would also love to know any tips you have to stay comfortable and dry on rainy days. Thanks!! 💜

[@amanda.outside]

The tent should have water repellent on the outside, and when it rains, it should ideally drip off the tent and not pool anywhere on the roof or soak through. For rainy days, I usually end up spending more time in the tent. I will read, take a nap, or play games. Nick will sometimes even download a movie on his phone before the trip in case we have to spend lots of time in the tent. Cards are always great to have on hand, but I also love Bananagrams and Blokus. I also always have a large tarp in my car. With some rope and a basic tarp, you can build a little rain shelter over your picnic table or chairs and then still hang out outside the tent and make food. There’s only so long I can stay cramped in the tent! Lastly, I always make sure I have a change of clothes to sleep in that stay clean and dry. This Summer I do want to make a detailed video all about a rainy camping trip, but I hope this is a good start! Have an awesome trip this weekend 🤗

[@krisg3984]

I found a very large & long painters’ drop cloth that was heavy duty plastic and had some rope,, remember to tilt the lowest corner so the water doesn’t pool. no grommets tho. best part was it let light thru. It’s what I had , and a 12 hour candle , it helped cheer me up. Wind is the worst - what can you do about that ?!?

[@VictoriaAikenVlogs]

Awesome! Thank you @amandaoutside!!

[@pilydumbolton5548]

Hi Amanda, when Me and my husband go camping, we keep the cooler outside the tent under a canopy; but next to the tent. Dry food is in a tote; but in the tent. Our is a big tent for ten people, so we have enough room to read specially when raining. Do you still advise maybe to leave the food and cooler in the truck? We normally like dry camping. thank you for your advise. Like your videos very much.😊

[@debbypetty8685]

Love your videos and lessons I’ve learned from watching your videos. We live and camp in Michigan and learned the hard way about critters in your stuff. Had a raccoon get into a tote that snapped in the middle of the night. It had our cooking pots and pans in it. Little turds are very cleaver at opening things up. It was definitely not even scared that my hubby went out to shoo it away. Lesson learned. Everything food related goes in the truck at night.

[@amanda.outside]

They are so clever! It's crazy what they can get into!

[@jdsmith-bl2yl]

Very informative and always great content and keep them coming,,, thanks Amanda

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you! Will do! 😊

[@nordstrom1]

Sharing your camping experience and great knowledge is very helpful to new campers. This video is full of great tips. Thank you and keep posting new videos.

[@mybrownbeauty1324]

Good campsite please!

[@lvmtb]

Good campsite love the chanel would be nice to see good and bad choices Thank you

[@michaelpowell7120]

Situational Awareness - usually goes along with training and a weapon. Out there with no protection?

[@joannekoehler1788]

I love your videos!

[@amanda.outside]

Happy to hear it!!