When you camp you are out in the elements with very few conveniences. Therefore, you need to plan your adventure thoroughly ahead of time. This article contains some tips, tricks and advice that can be used to help you plan the camping trip of a lifetime.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You may even get hypothermia.
Let your loved ones help you pick a campsite. Engage in conversation about what state and location they would like to visit. There are thousands upon thousands of places to choose from. Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Make sure to have an idea of the weather before starting your trip. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
Read up on your medical insurance. Traveling to a different area may necessitate that you purchase another policy. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Always be prepared.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. Be certain that your camping trips always involve proper planning. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
Carry a handkerchief or bandanna while camping. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper towel. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. You are probably going to miss the shower you have at home while camping. The cool water at a beach or pool will help you feel clean and refreshed.
You can easily start campfires using dryer lint as a starter material. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Using this method, you can acquire kindling and camp in the same day.
Set your campsite, tent and sleeping bags up before it gets dark. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
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. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
Pack things like oranges when you go camping. They are nutritious, and they also keep mosquitoes away. After you have eaten the orange, rub the peel onto exposed body parts and this will repel any blood-sucking bugs.
If the area you are camping in is known for dangerous wildlife, you will need to be doubly careful with food storage. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. You will be less likely to have an attack with these procedures.
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Did you know that a roll of high-quality duct tape is a great item to take camping with you? It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. It can even be used to bandage injuries.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. In addition to looking for soft ground, lay down a tarp to prevent moisture from soaking into the bottom of your tent.
It is really critical to make sure that you pack the essential items and equipment for camping. Unfortunately, forgetting one or two key items can ruin your trip. Write a list of essentials and as you pack the items, cross them off. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Make a list and check it twice before packing for your camping excursion. This is critical if you are going to be covering some ground before getting to the spot where you pitch your tent. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. That way you make sure you don’t accidentally turn them on.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be camping. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. These are things that can make a big difference when things go wrong so you don’t have to abort your trip early. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Have the clothing you will pack planned out before your trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential footwear for any camping trip.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Create a list of equipment and supplies that you may need while camping, and cross out each item as you pack it. A checklist is especially crucial if your campsite is located remotely, making it less likely that you will have access to first-aid items or other emergency supplies.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. In the case that a child goes missing, having their photo at hand could be of great use. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Make sure food and drinks stay at a safe temperature by using enough ice. Most coolers have a plug that you can open, this drains the excess water, so your food won’t get wet.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.
Camping lends the experience of discovering the simple things in life that you can’t enjoy in the modern world. For many, this is one of the great things about camping; for others, it is harder to deal with. Think through all of your camping trip ideas before you go out on your adventure. Now that you’ve learned the tips from this article, it is time to put them to use and start planning your next adventure!
A simple and obvious piece of advice is that you should create your shelter when it is still light. Tent building in the dark is a major obstacle to confront. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. It’s much easier to arrive early enough to get set up before sundown.