Camping is a great way for everyone to get away from the stresses they experience in life. But remember, proper preparation is the key to making sure your trip goes as planned. Have an incident free camping adventure by using the information provided to you in this article.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once the sky becomes dark, finding a good spot for your tent, necessary firewood and food preparation become near impossible. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
All participants should have a say in where you go camping. Talk about the state you would like to go to. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Survival Kit
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. This kit should feature a survival knife, waterproof matches, tablets for purifying water, a flare gun, and a first-aid kit. You need this if you become lost or stranded; the items in your kit may save your life. Carry it at all times.
Make sure your survival kit is available on a constant basis. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. Always keep it nearby and never leave it behind at the campsite.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
Check out your medical insurance policy. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
Attempt a “jungle breakfast” with the younger members of your camping party. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Once the children are awake, tell them they need to forage for their meal. This is a fun way to bring excitement to the morning.
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. You can just go about your business after that.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Kids generally love camping, but plan some activities for them ahead of time. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. They may not have any experience with things such as fishing or setting up a tent. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.
Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. Forgetting your sleeping bag or food is not what you want to happen. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.
Remember to bring along wilderness-friendly activities. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
Duct tape is a handy item to pack with you on any camping trip. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. You can close up rips and tears, and bundle things together. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. It even works as a bandage.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Sleeping Bag
Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. The weather could turn sour, injuries could occur or other unforeseen events may happen. To stay safe, plan ahead, do not take any risks and do not be careless.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. If you are camping in a colder climate, purchase a heavyweight sleeping bag; people who camp in warm weather should use a lightweight sleeping bag. You must have a bag that surrounds the body closely so that body heat can be retained.
Be aware of where your campsite is. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. Don’t forget to bring along the bug spray.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. If you lose them during your trip, that picture can help you immensely. When camping far away from your house, remember to bring one in case of an emergency.
When planning for a camping trip, make sure you bring beef jerky and trail mix. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
Every camper should possess a basic utility knife. Utility knives are a fantastic to bring along when camping because they have so many uses. Be sure you have one with you and another for backup in your gear in case one gets lost.
One simple tip that many people overlook is creating your shelter before dark. When it’s dark outside it can be very hard to put your tent up. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. The easier thing is just to do it before darkness falls.
Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. A survival kits and first aid kits can save your life.
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. Duct tape can help to seal holes and rips, and hold important things together when you need them most.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. The difference between these two comes down to one thing – preparation. If you prepare for different scenarios, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
Make sure your shelter is ready before dark. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. 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. Doing it during sunlight hours makes it easier and more prepared for the dark.
Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. While you can use the bathroom area for lighting, it also is an attraction point for a lot of people. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
Baby wipes or toilet paper are always welcome for camping. Of course, if you prefer to really rough it, you could use the leaves provided by nature, but if you want to have a clean bottom it is best to bring along baby wipes and toilet paper.
Most of the time, camping is fun. However, if you do not prepare properly, your trip can turn into a nightmare. Apply the ideas found above to guarantee a fabulous excursion in the great outdoors. Enjoy yourself!
Prior to going camping, make sure that you are able to recognize any poisonous plant life that is indigenous to the area in which you’ll be staying. If you are not aware of what to avoid, you will likely run right into them without knowing the difference. You can learn about poisonous plants by reading a book or Googling “poisonous plants.” This information will allow you to avoid these hazardous plants.
