SURVIVAL STORE

Family camping in the Colorado mountains with a tent, campfire, and picnic table during The Survival University Camping for Beginners course.

2 DAY CAMPING FOR BEGINNERS

Price range: $245.00 through $600.00

Learn the basics of camping in a fun, hands-on weekend. From setting up a tent and cooking simple meals to staying comfortable and safe outdoors, this course gives you the confidence to plan and enjoy your own camping trips. Perfect for first-timers or anyone who wants to brush up on the essentials.

Description

2-Day Camping for Beginners

Have you ever wanted to go camping but didn’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve never set up a tent before, or you’re not sure what gear you really need and what you can skip. This course is designed to take the stress out of camping and give you the confidence to get outside, relax, and enjoy nature.

Over two days, we’ll cover the fundamentals in a fun and hands-on way:

  • Choosing a good campsite (whether in a campground or more remote)

  • How to set up and take down a tent

  • Sleeping options: pads, bags, hammocks, and more

  • Building a safe and comfortable campfire

  • Cooking simple meals outdoors

  • What to pack (and what not to)

  • Basic camp safety and etiquette

  • How to make camping enjoyable for families, couples, or solo trips

This isn’t a survival course — it’s about learning how to camp comfortably and confidently. You’ll leave with the skills to plan your own trip, avoid common mistakes, and actually enjoy the experience.

Whether you’ve never been camping or you’ve tried it once and felt unprepared, this class will give you the know-how and confidence to make your next adventure a success.

2-Day Camping for Beginners – Itinerary

Day 1: Getting Set Up

  • Welcome and introductions

  • How to choose a campsite (campground vs. dispersed)

  • Hands-on practice: pitching tents and setting up camp

  • Sleeping systems explained: pads, bags, hammocks, and options for comfort

  • Camp kitchen basics: stoves, cookware, and safe food storage

  • Dinner together: cook a simple camp meal as a group

  • Campfire building and safety

  • Relaxation and community around the fire

Day 2: Enjoying the Outdoors

  • Breakfast outdoors

  • Packing and organizing your gear so it’s easy to manage

  • How to stay comfortable: clothing, layering, and dealing with weather

  • Camp safety: wildlife awareness, Leave No Trace, and campground etiquette

  • Day hike basics: what to carry in a day pack

  • Lunch in camp

  • Breaking down camp and packing up efficiently

  • Final Q&A: planning your first trip on your own

ACCOMMODATIONS

If students do not wish to camp with us, the town of Cripple Creek is a short 15 minute drive from our location and Woodland Park is 30 minutes away. Students will be responsible for making their own reservations with nearby hotels. We do have a central community campfire location with a few designated campsites but mostly offer dispersed camping. Students will be able to drive their car within 100 feet of the main camp and will not have to hike gear long distances.

  • Students will be staying in a dispersed camping area and are welcome to bring their own tent, camper, vehicle, or build a primitive shelter. Each student is responsible for bringing and setting up their own sleeping arrangements.
  • Sanitation/Hygiene: A porta potty restroom and potable water will be provided at the main camp

FOOD AND WATER REQUIRED

Water will be provided but students will need to bring their own food. We recommend quick field expedient meals such as freeze dried hiking meals or MRE’s. They can quickly be made at our primitive camps and won’t slow down the learning process. However, students may bring any food that they wish to cook over the campfire or on their own personal camp stove.

Food can be purchased locally at nearby facilities. Walmart and several local eateries are within a reasonable driving distance.

SUGGESTED GEAR LIST

We do not provide students with gear unless they have purchased it from us ahead of time. Not much gear is needed for our courses, though good equipment does speed the learning process up greatly! Gear does not have to be purchased from our store to attend the course, but we recommend survival gear of equivalent quality.

Required (bring your own if possible):

  • Tent (any basic tent, doesn’t need to be fancy)

  • Sleeping bag (appropriate for the season)

  • Sleeping pad or air mattress

  • Pillow or small travel pillow

  • Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)

  • Refillable water bottle (at least 1 liter)

  • Eating utensils (spoon/fork/knife or spork), cup, and plate/bowl

  • Comfortable outdoor clothing (dress in layers)

  • Sturdy shoes or hiking boots

  • Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, etc.)

Optional but recommended:

  • Camp chair

  • Small cooler with snacks or drinks

  • Insect repellent

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat and sunglasses

  • Extra blanket for comfort

  • Notebook and pen (for notes or planning future trips)

Provided by TSU:

    • Group cooking gear and stoves

    • Firewood and fire supplies

    • Shared camp kitchen setup

    • Course handouts and instruction

CLOTHING REQUIRED

Warm outdoor clothing, warm gloves and hat, outdoor boots and wool socks. Cotton clothing is highly discouraged in the mountains! Wool will keep you warm even when wet and synthetics will dry faster. Layers are important in Colorado. You will want a water wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer, and a waterproof breathable outer shell. Check out our Clothes Layering Basics if you are unsure of what to wear.

NOTE

Due to the different levels of prior experience and knowledge among students in each class, individual outcomes may vary. Weather conditions can also be a factor in changing class content slightly. Nonetheless, our instructors will always endeavor to be as accommodating and consistent as circumstances will allow to ensure students get the best training experience and value for money.

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