Ah–going camping. This is time well spent with nature and discovery for those seeking solitude. Camping is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and all it has to offer, if one is well prepared. Look at the tips that follow so you can have the best camping trip possible.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can get clean when you return home.
When camping, get your shelter squared away before nightfall. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Survival Kit
Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
Make sure that you both carry a survival kit and then get in the habit of always having it with you. A first aid kit, matches in a water tight container, a good knife, flares and tablet to purify water are some essentials to include. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Going camping can get really dirty. Your kids may love playing around in the grass and dirt. As the day goes on, your kids will get messier and messier. Know that you must accept that fact, but have a change of clothing for them so they can be comfortable. Be prepared for dirty clothes and dirty children by packing extra clothes.
Make your kids a “jungle breakfast”. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. It’s a fun way to make camping a little more exciting for the children.
A first aid session, especially if you have children, is essential. If an accident happens, you will have the knowledge that you need to make the situation better until you can get medical help. You could also read about different first aid techniques online. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. You can just go about your business after that.
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. When pitching a tent, locate dry and flat ground. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. You will be able to see due to the sunlight and you will have an easier time.
Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. Forgetting something crucial like your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not something you want to happen. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
Pack a roll of duct tape with the rest of your supplies; this sticky wonder can help in a variety of circumstances. It is good for patching holes in tents, shoes, and inflatables. It is also good for securing tents and sealing up mosquito nets.
When you’re going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. You have to wrap your food tightly and keep them away from the tent; some foods, you may have to forget. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
Pack your things carefully and smartly. Keep a checklist of the things you need and check them off as you collect and pack them. This will save you the inconvenience of forgetting something and having to stop for it and it is very important, especially if your are going to a remote location.
Plan ahead and make sure your flashlight batteries have full power before you leave for a camping trip. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Be sure that you include matches, that will not be ruined when wet, in you survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. If you do not have waterproof matches, you can quickly convert regular matches by dipping them in either nail polish or paraffin wax. You can store these matches in something like a medicine bottle or empty film container.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. You will surely find it necessary to illuminate things once night falls. Make sure areas are well-lit to avoid falls or animal issues. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
When you’re done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. Bring enough trash bags for the anticipated clean up. Do not leave any left over food behind. The major rule for leaving a campsite is to just leave behind footprints.
Sleeping Bag
Many people get food poisoning when camping because of improper packing every year. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack perishable foods in ice and drain your cooler often to prevent water from damaging the food.
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. Make sure your sleeping bag fits you well, hugs your body and helps you to retain heat.
Bring toilet paper along when you travel. If you take care of business in the woods, toilet paper is imperative to have. Leaves may have poison on them, as you will want to use toilet paper to wipe.
Camping is a popular thing to do on vacation, but if it is not planned well, it can turn into a disaster. With the right preparation though, your trip will be fun and exiciting. Plan well and prepare in advance to make the most of your next outdoor vacation!
Many people who are new to camping think that erecting a tent next to the campsite’s communal bathrooms is a good idea. Many people believe this is more convenient, but it’s simply not true. Bathrooms get a lot of traffic, and they keep the lights on all night. Therefore, they end up not having the convenience and comfort that they expected.