5 Essential Tips for Assembling the Perfect Camping Group

When enjoying the great outdoors, who you’re with is just as important as where you are. While many outdoorsmen prefer the solitude of solo excursions, there’s a ton of fun to be had braving the elements with a group of like-minded people. 

Whether camping in the historic valley of Yosemite or among the peaks of the Rockies, the company you choose and the planning you undertake will make all the difference in the quality of your experience. 

The Importance of Careful Group Assembly

Simply gathering 20 of your closest friends and calling it a day is ill-advised, to say the least. They may be fun at your birthday parties, but will they pull their weight at a campsite? 

Think of everything that goes into setting up camp –  it’s an intensive retreat for newbies and experts alike. So at the end of the day, you’ll want to get a group of people together who are on the same page and ready to tackle the outdoors alongside you. 

How To Put Together the Perfect Camping Group

But how exactly do you assemble the perfect camping group? Here are 5 essential tips to get you started! 

Choose Your Campers

From setting up camp and pitching your wall tents to maintaining your fire and cooking communal meals, group camping requires effort from all. When choosing who you’ll spend your getaway with, it’s important to evaluate whether or not they’re a team player. After all, being the only one to do any work might cost you a few friendships. 

While team players will be your most important asset, there are a few more characteristics to consider when picking campers:

• Preparation: Does this person typically come prepared? 
• Resourcefulness: Can this person easily adapt to unpredictable circumstances and think creatively to solve problems? 
• Respect for nature: Do they understand and abide by Leave No Trace principles?
• Positive attitude: What energy do they bring to a room? Camping is not always for everyone, so make sure you pick people who WANT to be there!

There are lots of traits that make a great camper, but vetting your friends with these is a great place to start.

Once you’ve determined who’ll be joining you at camp, it’s time to designate a leader and assign duties. Who will be pitching your tent, building the fire, keeping track of camping gear, cooking the meals, and washing the dishes? Decide before you leave who will be responsible for what. While everyone should be expected to pull their own weight, picking a responsible leader among you will help make sure everything runs smoothly. 

But the perfect camping group goes beyond the campers. After all, smart people will only agree to join you if there’s a solid plan in place. So let’s continue!

Secure a Campsite

You’ve got your group, now you need your campsite. Depending on the location and time of year, campsites can be booked up quickly. For this reason, you must make reservations as early as possible.

 If you plan to stay at a public campground at a national or state park, utilize recreation.gov to book. If this is your chosen route, make note of on-sale dates and be ready to put your card down as soon as the clock strikes. Campgrounds in popular national parks like Yellowstone and Zion can fill up in a matter of seconds during peak season. 

If you missed the boat or simply want a different experience, consider booking a private campsite on apps like Hipcamp or The Dyrt. Private campgrounds often offer more unique experiences and could be a better option for larger groups. 

Whichever route you choose, keep these things in mind when picking a campsite for your group trip:

What’s the site’s capacity?

Many campgrounds have limits for the number of campers allowed at a site, as well as the number and size of tents permitted. Do your due diligence to ensure the site you pick will fit your entire group!

Does the campground offer amenities?

While some campgrounds offer amenities like toilets, showers, and potable water, many only offer some or even none. Gauge what your group is willing and unwilling to compromise on and be sure to book a campground that aligns with those needs.

What activities are available?

Some campers are content simply hanging around camp, but others in your group may be itching for something to do! Consider what your campsite is around, or if the campground offers onsite activities like kayaking, fishing, or horseback riding. 

Resources for finding campsites are abundant, so finding the perfect campsite shouldn’t be too much of a chore.

Gather Your Camping Gear

Your group is assembled and your campsite secured, now it’s time to consider what camping gear you’ll need. Shelter is going to be your number one consideration when camping in groups, so let’s start there.

Shelters and Wall Tents

There are a plethora of shelter options to choose from when group camping, but today we’ll focus on traditional tent camping. When shopping for a tent for sale, be sure to consider the size and features you’ll need for a group camping trip.

If you want the full group experience, wall tents are the way to go. Unlike more recognizable tent designs, wall tents include four vertical walls and are constructed out of heavy-duty materials like canvas. Because of their functional design, they provide the type of space you’ll need when camping with groups of up to 15. Aside from being objectively more comfortable abodes, you’ll enjoy the benefit of only having to set up one shelter, instead of multiple smaller tents. 

In terms of canvas wall tents, the Alpha Pro Wall Tent from White Duck Outdoors is going to be your tried and true for this type of camping trip. Depending on the size you opt for, it can sleep up to 16 campers, with features that will make it the perfect hang-out spot at camp. 

Camping Gear

Other camping gear you’ll need will depend on your itinerary and preferences, but there are a few items almost all campsites benefit from. 

Don’t leave without packing these essentials:

• Sleeping bags
• Ground tarp
• Camp chairs
• Flashlights and headlamps
• Folding table
• Firewood and firestarter
• Multi-tool
• Mallet or hammer
• Pots, dishware, and cooking tools
• Coolers
• Water bottles
• Maps of the area and navigation tools
• First aid kit

While these are the bare necessities, there are plenty of non-essentials that make camping a more enjoyable experience, so do your research! A huge plus of camping in groups is the ability to share gear, so take advantage of this perk and decide who will be responsible for what ahead of your trip.

Arrange a Menu

Feeding a large group of people is never an easy feat. Throw the logistical limitations of camping into it and it can be quite a daunting task.

Since cooler space is likely limited, consider how ingredients need to be stored before you get to cooking them, and how leftovers need to be stored, as well. Another consideration to be mindful of is the number of ingredients a meal takes. The more ingredients, the more you’ll have to transport to and from camp. For this reason, research minimal-ingredient meals when preparing a menu.

The biggest secret to arranging a group camping menu is prioritizing easily scalable meals. Fan favorites like mac n’ cheese, pasta salad, beef stew, and campfire chili are easy to make in large batches and perfect for a large group.

Plan Your Activities

How you’ll keep your group busy during your camping trip will vary largely based on location. The point here is to make a plan before your adventure. Will you be exploring nearby parks, going on hikes, canoeing, biking, or playing fireside games? Certain activities will require reservations, so get a feel for how your group will want to spend their time and prepare accordingly. 

An important consideration when planning your activities is ability assessment. Not everyone can hike for 10 hours a day, nor will everyone want to. Be realistic with your group’s abilities, fitness levels, and skills. 

Another great perk of group camping is the ability to split up and experience activities in smaller circles. Maybe one group goes to fish while another goes white-water rafting. Make sure your communication and expectations stay open and honest to ensure everyone gets what they want out of your trip. If you go this route, you’ll have the added fun of swapping stories at the end of the day!

Enjoy Your Time

With thoughtful planning and consideration of your entire group’s needs, you’ll be set up to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Group camping is a unique opportunity to bond over shared interests, get to know friends on a deeper level, and spend uninterrupted quality time with one another.

Enjoying the solitude of the outdoors on a solo trip can have its benefits, but having the privilege to share the experience with a well-gathered group is unbeatable. Following these 5 tips will ensure you’ve covered your bases when assembling the perfect camping group, and help you make the most of the memories you’re bound to make.