🏕️ 10 Rookie Mistakes New Campers Always Make Camping sounds easy enough: pitch a tent, start a fire, cook some instant noodles, and sleep under the stars. But in reality, first-time campers often find themselves starring in their own survival horror film — one that could’ve been easily avoided with a little common sense and preparation. Here are 10 rookie mistakes new campers always make (and how to stop learning them the hard way). 1. Arriving at the Campsite After Dark The forest doesn’t come with street lights. Setting up a tent by torchlight while mosquitoes feast on you is a rite of passage no one wants. Arrive early — at least two hours before sunset — so you have time to choose a flat, safe spot and actually see what you’re doing. 2. Overpacking Everything But Common Sense Beginners often bring everything except logic. A rice cooker, five blankets, and a Bluetooth speaker? No wonder your car looks like it’s migrating. Keep it simple. Bring essentials: shelter, slee...