Anyone who has ever been camping knows how enjoyable it can be. Nothing beats sitting back, against the open fire, and sharing stories under the light of the moon. If you have never been camping, but assume it’s hard or you won’t like it, continue reading to learn more about it.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Make sure that all of your friends and family are involved in choosing the camping site. Think about where it is you want to go. The options are plenty, so do your research! This can get people engaged and ready to go camping.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
After you buy your camping tent, set it up at home rather than waiting until your trip to set it up for the first time. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. Also, this can help to reduce the difficulty that you have when out in the wilderness.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. There are many sites in the country to visit that are nearby and are very beneficial. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. You will be prepared for any accidents that may occur and can survive until you reach professional medical care. Also be sure to do all the research you can about the area. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. This way, should an accident occur, at least you are properly prepared until help arrives. Additional research can also provide valuable information. Knowing about the native species in your camp area, such as snakes or other dangerous animals, is essential.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. A hot shower can be sorely missed. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Review your health insurance policy. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. This item has many different uses such as a hand towel and carrying bag. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Portable foods, such as boxed cereal, juice, and fruit, can be tied to trees. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This activity adds a bit more fun to camping.
If you are going camping, whether with others or alone, a survival kit is essential. The content of this kit should be personalized to the type of camping you will be doing. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
Even when you’re trying to get away from the luxuries of life, it can help to bring something nice on your camping trip. Take something like creamer for your coffee or a chocolate candy bar. These things can help to keep you happy and make your trip more enjoyable.
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. Search for flat, dry ground when camping in a tent. If you do this before dark, you can become accustomed to the area around you. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Pillows made specifically for camping have a protective layer that keeps these things from happening.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. This would include stuff like what spiders dwell there, how steep the terrain is, and if the area is prone to flooding. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. It is as convenient for repairs while you are camping as it is at home. You can use this to repair any holes in an air mattress. You can also use it to patch up a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Did you just purchase a new tent for your trip? If you are not sure how to put your tent up, practice before going on your camping trip. By doing so, you will know that the equipment is all included, and you will be familiar with the process of pitching it. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. Just neglecting to include a thing or two can completely ruin the outing. It’s very helpful to write out a list and cross each item off once you have packed it. You need a lot of things to take with you on a trip, and you don’t want to miss anything.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. This is particularly helpful if you have to travel quite far to get where you are going. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
Always bring both a first-aid kit as well as a survival kit. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. You can also prevent serious situations from becoming dire, and allow you to get an injured person to help safely.
Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. It is very hard to set up a tent when it’s dark. It is possible to do by firelight or by flashlight, but it will more than likely be frustrating and can be downright impossible in areas where there are hazards nearby. It is basically easier to get your campsite set up before it gets dark and you are not fumbling around in the dark.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. You will need a light source to see clearly once the sun sinks in the sky. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. If you’re taking kids along with you, give each one of them a flashlight.
Sleeping Bag
Be aware of the location of your campsite. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. Granted, even if you are cautious, you should still protect yourself from insects using long garments to keep them off of your skin. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
When choosing a sleeping bag, make sure that you pick one that is meant for the season and climate in which you plan to camp. You need a lightweight sleeping bag for the summertime. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
Everyone knows to make a shelter, but many forget you should do it before dark! When it’s dark, it’s hard to pitch your tent. If you wait until dark to pitch your tent, you will need to build a fire or light several lanterns to ensure you can see to pitch your tent correctly. It will obviously be much easier to pitch your tent if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.
Armed with the proper information, you can now begin to plan your next adventure. You will be one of the best campers around with the information you’ve learned. No matter if you camp in a distant region or in your own backyard, do whatever is necessary to have a terrific time.
It’s important to clean the campsite you used when it’s time to leave. Bring garbage bags with you on the trip so that you have a place to store all of the trash. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. The main rule when you’re leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
