I can't say that I'm a master camper. In fact, I'm a newbie and will use any good tip I can scout out on the Internet. My newly discovered love for the outdoors prompted me to do my research. Here are six camping tips to try this weekend.

1. Choose a nearby location

Contrary to what you might think, you don't have to drive for hundreds of miles to find a great camping ground. When I lived in New Hampshire, I used to go camping fifteen minutes away from my house. It was great and the hassle was eliminated to zero. It also required very little prep work. I mean, if something goes wrong you just hop into your car and go home, right?

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2. Pack the right gear

Again, this doesn't have to be super complicated. The essentials are pretty much a flashlight, pocket knife, water bottle, sleeping bag and cooking utensils, so no need to pack anything fancy. I like bringing a hammock tent to save space. It's exactly what it sounds like - a hammock and a tent. That way I can sleep outside as well as hide in when it starts raining. This is a major game changer and will take you from a newbie to a camping pro.

3. Try these basic survival skills

When was the last time you had to start your own fire and cook your own raw meat and vegetables without the help of electricity? Can't remember? Yeah, didn't think so.

Camping is a great survival experience. It not only does it teach us how to use our bare hands (well, mostly) to start a fire, but it also forces us to deal with the forces of nature and find our way in the woods with a compass when our phones don't have signal.

We learn some pretty cool tricks as well, like how to make our own speakers to get the party going or successfully use Doritos as tinder.

4. Bring your yoga mat along

I carry my yoga mat pretty much everywhere I go on the weekend. It's light and comfortable to sleep on. I can also get a full stretch session whenever I want. Being able to fold it and stick it in the pocket of your backpack is a major advantage to an air mattress. Plus, a yoga mat doesn't require any prep. Just unfold it and you're done.

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5. Stock up on sage

If you've ever been camping, you'd know that mosquitoes can pretty much ruin the party in a few minutes. That's mostly because they'll bite the party to death and it's practically impossible to have a good conversation while you're scratching like a maniac. Instead of having to carry sprays that take up space and aren't always useful, bring some sage along. It doesn't take up space, it's cheap and it will ward off mosquitoes all night.

6. Bring the right firestarters

My first time camping was close to a disaster, because I used a whole box of matches very unsuccessfully. I couldn't start a fire for the life of me, and when I finally did, it didn't last very long. I do this new trick now and it saves my life. I dip a cotton ball into Vaseline and wrap it into a square of foil. Before using, I cut an X in the foil, pul a small part of the cotton out, twist and light it. It's much easier to get a fire going and keep it.

There you have my six tricks that will up your camping game. Give them a shot this weekend. Happy camping!