Many people have a negative idea of camping that involves being bored, having little food and getting bitten by bugs. You can chose that route, but there are ways to make camping comfortable. It is possible to enjoy your time while camping and even avoid the insects, as long as you bring the right tools. Read on to learn what it takes to plan a great trip.
Be prepared to get dirty. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Use your time in nature to enjoy the chance to be a little messy. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.
If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.
Review the medical coverage that you have. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
When buying a tent, be sure that it’s large enough to accommodate you and any guests you have. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You could experience a number of problems, such as equipment failure, and wish to cut the trip short. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. There are a lot of different things that can come about and being closer to home will make it a lot easier.
Camping is a great time but it can be dangerous if you’re not able to properly prepare. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. Especially if you are camping in a new location, take the time to research the wildlife, plants, geography, and climate of the area.
Come prepared before you go camping. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. Weather is truly unpredictable at times, so prepare yourself for the worse. Always avoid unnecessary risks and try not to be careless.
Try using dryer lint to help you start your campfire. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. To make sure your batteries don’t get drained, put the batteries in backwards. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. Find a piece of ground that’s flat and dry if you are putting up a tent. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. This is doubly important for campgrounds that are far away. Have a list ready before your trip that you can check off, and pack at least two days before heading out.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. This can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. You can use duct tape for almost anything.
Always keep a close eye on your kids. Not only can your children get lost, but they may also encounter cars that enter the campsite. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. Bring extra blankets along with your sleeping bag. This makes sure that any warmth that is not handled by the sleeping bag can be augmented by using extra blankets.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. If you forgot your mosquito repellant, do not worry. Rub the inner peel of an orange over your body as mosquitoes will refrain from biting you. This should keep you free from mosquitoes and other pesky insects of the woods for hours.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. For example, there are lightweight sleeping bag for warm weather and heavy sleeping bags for colder weather. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. Insect repellent will also help to keep the insects away.
Watch your kids closely. People may be driving around the campsites, and it’s also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they’re not familiar with an area. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
It is important that you have first aid and survival kits on hand when you go camping. Without them, you may need to finish your camping trip earlier than you would like. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
Prepare your clothing in advance of your camping trip. Be sure you have a lot of clean clothes that will last you your whole trip. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
Camping can be a great get away, or a living nightmare. Preparation makes all the difference. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. These pieces of equipment are quite versitile and can get you out of a lot of bad situations.
Duct Tape
Camping can provide you with the ultimate relaxation, or it can turn your weekend into the worst. Preparation can be the factor that determines how your trip turns out. When you prepare correctly, your trip will be great.
Make sure to pack some duct tape for your camping trip. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
Make sure that you never go camping without duct tape. Tents are pretty durable, but they still have the tendency to get weathered and torn. The right strip of duct tape can mean sleeping dry at night after your tent has suffered damage during a day that was more exciting that you wanted.
When erecting your tent, ensure that you are able to seal all seams. Tubes of sealer are readily available at the sporting good shop. This ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
Bring toilet paper along when you travel. If you camp somewhere without restrooms, you are going to have to go in the woods. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. Bring garbage bags with you on the trip so that you have a place to store all of the trash. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
Make sure that you take into consideration all safety precautions while camping. It is usually best to avoid the wild animals, big and small, that you may encounter. Even squirrels and tiny animals may pose a threat to you and your family. Avoid feeding bears if you happen to see them.
After reading this article, you should now know that camping can be quite enjoyable. Follow these suggestions as a guide for preparing for your next camping adventure. You will avoid the pitfalls and get the most enjoyment out of the experience.
Use a worn shower curtain as an inexpensive, disposable tarp for under your tent. You can also use it as a way to control run-off as you are washing or cooking. Don’t throw away a shower curtain; use it for your next camping trip.