Going camping? Are you prepared for even the most simple aspects of camping? It may seem basic, but it is necessary to keep yourself prepared ahead of time. Read the following advice for planning and executing a great trip.
Always find your shelter before it gets dark when you go camping. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. You may even risk hypothermia.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Talk about which state to go to. There are many sites in the country to visit that are nearby and are very beneficial. If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on 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. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Never let it leave your side.
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. So, you are likely to be dealing with grimy kids all day long. Though this is inevitable, having extra clothes on hand is always smart. Remember, always be prepared!
Camping is a great time but it can be dangerous if you’re not able to properly prepare. Be sure you don’t go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. Research the area to learn about the wildlife and the geography and climate.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Learn proper first aid. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Also, do your research. You should be aware of things like whether there are snakes around and what kind of animals live there.
Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. Figure out if there are any poisonous insects, what the land looks like and how the weather will be. Every camping area has its dangers.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you’re prepared or not. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. It only takes a few minutes of going online to look at photos of plants they should avoid, such as poison ivy or other such things, to make sure your camping venture is free from common mishaps.
Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise and have a plan in place. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. You should bring things like a flare and antivenom as well, you never know what might happen.
Make sure you pack plenty of camping-friendly food. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Getting food poisoning can bring an abrupt end to a camping trip. Make sure your food is prepared the right way to avoid the risk of spoilage.
Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows are coated to prevent this from happening, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Duct Tape
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. It can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It can repair a rip in a sleeping bag, tarp or tent. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. In a pinch, it can even substitute as a bandage.
A tasty orange provides a peel that can help repel nasty mosquitoes. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. It’ll keep you mosquito-free for hours.
Are you just starting out in the world of camping? Practice putting your tent up before going camping. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Bags that are light are good for warmer places and a sleeping bag that’s heavier works best when things are colder. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
When preparing a survival kit for a camping trip, you should bring along waterproof matches. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. You can convert standard matches into waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. A film container or pill bottle can serve for storage.
An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. If you arrive at your camping destination and realize you’ve forgotten to pack bug repellant, fear not. Seasoned campers suggest that you can rub your skin with the inside of an ripe orange peel. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.
Learn how to use a compass or read a map, beforehand. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
How are you going to cook when you go camping? Decide before leaving the house what cooking method you’re going to use, and pack the right supplies. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
Now that you have read this article, you should understand that are some things you need to think about for your camping trip. Camping isn’t fancy, but it does require preparation. When you follow the great advice above, you will treasure the memories of your trip for years to come.
If you have never been camping in the forest before and are thinking about doing so, this is a fast way to find out whether or not camping is for you. Pick up your tent, set it in your own back yard, and spend the night there. Don’t go back inside the house for any creature comforts. If you find that you have fun, there’s a good chance that camping in the mountains or woods will be even more of a blast for you.