Camping can be an incredibly fun pastime for those of all skill levels. Whether you’ve been doing it for years now or are setting out on your first trip this summer, there’s a lot you can learn from the experience and plenty of enjoyment to be had. However, every camper must be able to perform a few vital tasks. Otherwise, it’ll be much more difficult to care for yourself out in the middle of nowhere. These are some essential camping skills for a successful trip and what you can do to hone each of them before your departure.

Shelter Construction

Firstly, you need the ability to build a shelter to sleep in. This shelter will most often be a tent or an awning that’ll protect you from the elements. While putting up a tent can be a bit tedious, you should be able to do so pretty quickly if you have the strength to hammer stakes and lift heavy tarps. Assembling these structures also requires you to pay close attention to their instruction manuals.

First-Aid Experience

Make sure that you have some background knowledge of basic first aid. After all, you can sustain plenty of injuries out in the wild, and knowing how to treat minor cuts and scrapes can be very beneficial. Fast intervention is also essential to preventing infections, so knowing how to do this before you leave can save you a lot of unnecessary discomfort.

Animal and Plant Recognition

Another important camping skill for a successful trip is the ability to identify plants and animals. Though most wildlife and flora are harmless, there’s always the chance that you could run into something you didn’t expect. Poison ivy, for one, commonly grows near campsites and triggers an allergic reaction in the skin upon contact. You may also benefit from knowing what animals could be nearby so that you can take measures to repel them.

Cooking Abilities

If you’re going to keep yourself happy and full of energy during your trip, quality meals are also a must. While cooking looks a little different in the great outdoors, you can still create some of your favorite meals. There are several minimalistic ways to cook outdoors, and finding the one that works best for you will be the key to success. Don’t be afraid to experiment before you leave home to determine what’s most comfortable for you.