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Do you associate camping with plagues of insects, tossing and turning all night on the hard ground inside your tent, and a general lack of civilized amenities? If you answered "yes", then you'll probably never fall in love with camping. However, there are ways of making the experience more enjoyable. Here's how to make a start.
Invest in some essential equipment
A rain-proof tent is only the starting point of essential camping gear. Don't even think about sleeping on the hard ground! Take the time to check out the different kinds of air mattresses available at camping shops. Decide how much you're willing to spend, and then invest in the deluxe model, or grab the budget version - whichever you choose, an air mattress of any kind will really improve your quality of life over the camping weekend. Let's face it, it's impossible to enjoy yourself when you're suffering from sleep deprivation. Get a good sleeping bag, bring a pillow, and one more blanket than you'd expect to need.
Insect repellent and sun block are also essential items. And seal all perishable food in airtight containers to protect it from creepy crawlies. Don't forget drinking water supplies, long-life milk, canned food, can opener, and tea and coffee - you don't need to add caffeine withdrawal to your camping experience. Toilet paper is also a must! Tend to your basic comfort needs, or you'll find it impossible to enjoy the weekend.
What about personal hygiene?
How will you survive going without a shower for 2 nights? Bring extra deodorant, a washcloth for quick washes, toothpaste and toothbrush, wipe off cleanser, and plenty of tissues. A cake of hard soap is also a good idea: it's difficult to keep soap dry when you're camping, and soggy soap soon disintegrates into a mushy mess.
Pack an extra bottle of water for grooming emergencies, and you can be sure that you can at least brush your teeth and splash your face with fresh water, wherever you may find yourself. If you don't need it to wash with, you can always drink it.
If your hair is past shoulder length, keep it tied back, as you'll be hard-pressed to keep it looking shiny, or to style it. There will be no outlets for hairdryers or electric razors, so make sure you've covered any potentially embarrassing personal grooming issues before you go - waxing may be the best way of banishing persistent leg stubble over the weekend.
Keep makeup to a minimum - some tinted moisturizer (with a high SPF factor) or light foundation and colored lip gloss are quick and easy to apply and remove at the end of the day. You won't look overdone, but you also won't be forced to sport a 'naked' face.
Attitude essentials
If you're not a natural camper, it's inevitable that your patience will be tried during the course of the weekend. OK, you won't be as comfortable as you would be if you were home in your own bed or deep in a lavender-scented bubble bath. But remember: if you hadn't gone camping, you would never have witnessed that breathtaking sunset, or been overwhelmed by the natural freshness of a pine forest first thing in the morning. So bear in mind that the discomfort is temporary, and well worth it for the experiences camping can offer you.
Camping is certainly not everyone's favourite leisure activity. But having the right gear, being prepared for some low-maintenance beauty essentials, and adjusting your attitude to your new environment can really help you to enjoy the escape from your daily routine. A little time spent relaxing in nature can see you return refreshed and renewed to your everyday life.
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