Spending some time with your family and friends under the stars is a fantastic way to get away from it all. Going camping is a great way to spend the time. While it may be fun, there is a lot to keep in mind when camping. The following article has some great advice on what you can do to prepare yourself for your next camping trip.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is really important for people who live in the city. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
When camping, bring the sleeping bag that appeals to the season that you are in. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. You might even get hypothermia.
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping is messy business. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. This means you should prepare to have dirty children. Know that you must accept that fact, but have a change of clothing for them so they can be comfortable. Keep yourself ready at all times.
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
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 many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
Make sure to pack plenty of extra clothing for your children. Camping is messy. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. You can not really prevent it from happening, but you can pack extra clothes. Prepare ahead of time!
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. Sometimes, being covered while out of state requires an additional policy. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. Always be prepared.
Dryer Lint
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. This item has many different uses such as a hand towel and carrying bag. It is very versatile, so be sure you take one with you every time you go camping.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. To make it easy to collect dryer lint, simply hang a bag next to the dryer and fill with your lint. Your kindling will be ready for you to grab on the way out the door for your trip.
Make sure to finish setting up camp during daylight hours. If you are in an RV, park it safely. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. You do not want to forget essential items. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. This includes knowing the area’s deadly spiders, what the terrain is like, and whether flash flooding is possible or not. Every camping area has its dangers.
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. Take safety precautions, such as wrapping your items in many layers for protection. Taking these precautions can significantly lower you chances of being attacked.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. All sorts of things can happy the first time you go camping. It’s better for mishaps to occur close to home.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Take some things to entertain yourself while in the wild. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If you are taking children camping, you might want to bring more activities than you think you are going to need.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will remain fresh when you need them.
Duct Tape
Keep one eye on your children at all times. Kids love to explore in the woods and they can very easily get lost. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. It can also work as a bandage.
Think carefully when you pack. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you’re camping. Things can sometimes go awry, even when carefully planned. Weather is truly unpredictable at times, so prepare yourself for the worse. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
People will often forget to build their shelter before sunset. Pitching tents in the dark can be almost impossible. A flashlight or fire will help you out. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Spending time outdoors is a wonderful experience, but you must ensure that you take advantage of what you have learned from this article. Remember to use some of the suggestions offered in order to have a safe and enjoyable time camping with your family and friends.
Any survival kit you assemble for camping needs to include waterproof matches. Use airtight container to hold the matches. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. You can make a carrying case for matches by putting them in a film canister or a small plastic medicine bottle.