If you are a fan of camping you are not alone. Having the best tips for camping with make your whole experience more desirable. By familiarizing yourself with the following advice, you can make your next camping trip the best one ever.
You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there might be nothing but wet wood that refuses to burn. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
Select a sleeping bag which is right for the season. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
After you buy your camping tent, set it up at home rather than waiting until your trip to set it up for the first time. This will prevent you from having a tent with missing pieces and then you can set it up properly. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Have a conversation about where you want to go. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. This can get people engaged and ready to go camping.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. Accidents happen, and taking the right precautions will ensure you know how to better a poor situation. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Dryer lint is a great item to bring if you are trying to start a campfire. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. The contents of the kit may change depending on where you camp and who you are with, but it should contain basic supplies. Antivenom is another important component to bring with you, depending on the area where you visit.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. These types of pillows are prone to taking in the moisture in the air and can even mold if left in wet conditions for too long. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Pillows designed for camping have a coating on them that does not all the moisture to be absorbed.
Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Make sure your food is prepared the right way to avoid the risk of spoilage.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. You would be pretty irritated if it turned out that you left your sleeping bag or tent back at home. Check to make sure you have everything you need with a check list prior to going on your trip.
Living off the land is part of camping, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go prepared. Though a sleeping bag is great, extra blankets can also be useful. These can be used for additional padding or for extra warmth on a chilly night.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. Weather conditions may abruptly change for the worse, someone could get sick or injured, along with a number of other possible mishaps. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping on a slope or a spot with a rocky surface. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. Choosing a slanted or rocky site will make your stay quite uncomfortable. Also remember to put down a tarp underneath your tent as an extra layer of protection from water.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. When camping with children, give each child a flashlight.
Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. Don’t set up camp near wasps or other insect homes. If you’re in an area that is rich in vegetation, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. You should also have insect repellent.
Sleeping Bag
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Sleeping bags made of lightweight material are optimal for warmer climates. By contrast, you should invest in a heavy sleeping bag if you plan to camp in a cold area. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
When camping with kids, have a photo of them at hand. This can come in handy if they are separated from you while on your trip. Be sure that you have brought one for urgent situations, particularly if your camping destination is quite a ways from home.
One simple tip that many people overlook is creating your shelter before dark. It’s hard enough to throw up a tent, but it’s even harder with the lights out. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. It is so much easier to erect your tent and organize your camping area before sunset.
A simple and obvious piece of advice is that you should create your shelter when it is still light. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. If it’s already dark, you’ll need to create fire while using a flashlight. It is much simpler to set up your campsite before sunset.
Take time to learn map and compass reading. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
Camping is something everyone can enjoy if they know what they’re doing and how to do things well. In order to plan a fun-filled, safe camping trip, you need to spend some time researching. If you want to have the best time possible just be sure to keep the information above on hand for your future use.
Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. They might think this will make things easier, but they will learn otherwise. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. So, they may not have the comfort and convenience that they hoped for.
