Are you getting ready to go camping? Stay tuned for some information about a few of the challenges you may encounter. While most of what you will need seems pretty obvious, it is best to plan in advance to ensure that you have all that you might need. Keep reading for some top camping tips.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Talk about where you want to camp. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Look for where you’re going to set up your shelter before darkness falls. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.
Pack and carry a survival kit on your person for the entire trip. A survival kit should consist of matches, first aid necessities a flare gun and a knife. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Sleeping Bag
It is always a smart idea to look into what the weather is going to be like, before going camping. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Understand your medical coverage. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Double check your medical insurance. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Be ready for any eventuality.
Pack a bandana. These can be used for several things, like drying your hands or holding a hot pot. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. It would be horrible to forget something important like the tent or camp mat. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. If you have any equipment issues, it is better and easier to cut your trip short when you do not have so far to travel. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. First-time camping is a learning experience and anything can happen, so find a campground near your home.
Talk to your children and friends about the dangers and risks of camping before embarking on your journey. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.
The main idea when you’re camping out in the wilderness is to live with what you can, but it’s important to be prepared for anything. Blankets are essential, in addition to a sleeping bag, to maximize comfort. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.
Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Write a list in advance of what you are going to need, and then you can check each item off when it is packed. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. Also, put a tarp down on your site to repel water in the best fashion.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. All of your foods should be tightly wrapped and not place near your tent. Some foods shouldn’t be brought at all. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
Before heading out to go camping, compile a checklist of items that you plan to bring. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance to get to your camp site. Pack a few days before your camping trip is supposed to happen and check off your list while you go through things.
Trail Mix
Watch your kids closely. Cars always are always coming and going from these sites, so young children may simply and quickly get lost inside the woods. It doesn’t take much time for something to occur, so be sure your kids are properly supervised.
Trail mix and beef jerky are a couple great things to bring along on a camping trip. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
An orange peel can help repel mosquitoes. If you forgot your mosquito repellant, do not worry. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. It’ll keep you mosquito-free for hours.
Since you’ve looked at this piece, you now know the most important parts of camping. Camping doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal, but there are things you need to prepare for. Take what you have found here and go forth into the woods!
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!