Are you planning an exciting camping trip? Are you prepared for the common things that may happen to you while you’re camping? Though common sense can cover most of these situations, it never hurts to do some homework to ensure that you cover your bases. Read on for some great tips.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is really important for people who live in the city. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You might even contract hypothermia.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Be sure you don’t go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
Review the medical coverage that you have. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
Bring things like a bandanna and handkerchief along with you. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
Camping Pillows
Try to go swimming when you are camping. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. Spending some time in cool water can help you stay clean and refresh your spirits, so a little swimming can soothe the part of your heart longing for a bath.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. You can hang a bag next to the dryer and just stuff your lint into it. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
When first getting involved with camping, start out close to home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. Though your location can contribute to necessities in the kit, the basics will remain the same. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. This will ensure everyone remains safe. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. It is simple to show them which plants they should stay away from prior to your trip.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Always bring an emergency photo, especially if your campsite is far from your home.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. Other campers might be fearful of your dog, no matter how friendly he might be. Respect is important when camping. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.
Pack wisely! Create a checklist of what you’re going to be bringing along and check things off while you’re packing them. This tip is always important, but especially so if your camping trip will take you to a remote area that does not provide access to food, shelter or emergency supplies.
If you will be camping in an area that is known for having dangerous wildlife, you need to double up your precautions when it comes to food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. This helps lower your attack risk.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. If you have visited the campsite before, you can still get lost once you arrive. Learning how to actually use certain items will help you avoid getting lost.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Sufficient light can help you avoid falling or bumping into to animals. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Do not leave any left over food behind. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be camping. If the weather is warm, you want a lightweight bag. If frigid temperatures will be present, choose a sub-zero rated bag. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.
Before you go camping, make sure to think about the clothes you will need for the trip. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. Shoes that are durable enough to handle rough terrain should be worn at all times.
A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. They think this is a convenience for them, but they find out differently. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. Therefore, camping is not as comfortable and convenient as expected.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. The best idea is to bring a couple of extra batteries to maintain your phone. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
How are you going to cook when you go camping? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
Camping can be a great get away, or a living nightmare. How you prepare for your camping trip will make or break your weekend. As long as you are adequately prepared for the possible difficulties you could encounter, your camping trip should be most enjoyable.
Stay safe while you camp. That means avoid camping near areas that have large animals. Small wildlife, such as squirrels, can be very dangerous despite their tiny size. One thing you should never do is feed a bear if you see one, even though you probably would be too scared to approach one!
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. These should be stored in an airtight container. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can easily find something to hold them, perhaps a film canister or a medication bottle.
Be aware of food safety precautions on your trip. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Cooked and raw food need to be stored seperately to avoid contamination. Make sure your hands are clean whenever you are preparing food either by washing them or using hand sanitizer. Make sure your food is thoroughly cooked, and keep perishable foods cold.
Seal the seams on your tent when you’re putting it up. You may find a tube at many sporting good stores if the tent didn’t include any. This can keep rainwater, insects and animals from invading your tent.
The best way to dress when you are camping is in layers. Even if you check the weather ahead of time, weather can change with very little notice. The morning may have a chill, but the afternoon may be balmy or sweltering hot. During the evenings, it can get pretty chilly. The layers will allow you to adapt your attire to the changing weather throughout the day.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler’s drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
Since you’ve looked at this piece, you now know the most important parts of camping. Camping doesn’t have to be an extravagant event; still, time should be taken to prepare for some common problems. Take what you have found here and go forth into the woods!
Don’t make the rookie mistake of pitching camp too close to bathroom facilities. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. The bathroom areas are light sources and draw a great deal of traffic. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
