If you’ve never been camping, you don’t know what you’re missing. Mother Nature has a way of relaxing even the most stressed soul. Everyone was a little hesitant of their first camping experience, but this article should help calm some of those fears.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you know this ahead of the actual trip, you can prepare for the inevitable and get yourself some extra supplies. Enjoy being in the woods and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. You can go back to normal when you go home.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You could even experience hypothermia.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. This will let you know that you’re not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. Also, this can help to reduce the difficulty that you have when out in the wilderness.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This will allow you to sleep more comfortably and get up easier during the night when you need to use the bathroom.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Research the place that you are traveling to, which will help you to understand the climate and geography.
Take a first-aid class, especially if children are camping with you. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
If you’re camping with kids, try a “jungle breakfast”. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This can add some magic to their camping trip.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
Try to combine a camping experience with a swimming experience of some kind. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.
Emergency kits are a good thing to have prepared for any camping trip. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. Save the peels when you’re done eating and gently rub them on your face, arms, legs or any other exposed areas, and you keep the pesky bugs away with no harsh chemicals and for a great price!
Plan several activities to do while camping. Card games, fishing poles or games like a scavenger hunt can be very entertaining in the wild. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. It can be used as a quick patch in the case of a punctured air mattress. Use it to cover any holes or rips that appear in tents or hold together items that break. If you are going on a long hike, you can put it on the sensitive parts of your feet for blister prevention. You can even use it to hold on a makeshift bandage.
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. This helps lower your attack risk.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Unfortunately, forgetting one or two key items can ruin your trip. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
When it comes to camping, anything can happen and it’s important to always be prepared. Anything can happen while camping so it is crucial to be prepared. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. Do not be careless, because this can get in the way of you having fun.
Always be prepared when on a camping trip. Often times, even the best plans go awry. The weather is something that can change suddenly, and that can make the environment become more dangerous. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It is very common for flashlights to be turned on inadvertently when going through camping supplies or while being stored. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. That way you make sure you don’t accidentally turn them on.
Prior to going camping, be sure to create a list of what you’ll need. This is doubly important for campgrounds that are far away. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. This is doubly important for campgrounds that are far away. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. Bring flashlights to safeguard against the dangers of darkness.
Sleeping Bag
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. You need a sleeping bag that fits snugly and keeps your body heat in if you’re going to sleep outside in a tent.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Hot weather calls for a lightweight bag, while heavier bags are needed for colder temperatures. You want a sleeping bag that is close to your body and helps you retain your body heat if you plan to sleep in a tent.
Make sure you always know where your children are. There are always cars arriving and leaving from campsites, and it is easy for little kids to get lost easily in wooded areas. It only takes a second for something to happen, so make sure that your children always have the supervision that they need.
Always keep a close eye on your kids. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. An accident can occur quickly, so it is important to be vigilant.
Be aware of where your campsite is. Don’t set up camp near wasps or other insect homes. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. Also, carry insect repellent.
Plan what you’re going to wear before setting off on a camping trip. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. You can take ordinary matches and make them waterproof when you dip them into 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.
Beef Jerky
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Take any leftover food with you. The only thing you want left are your footprints when you are gone.
Beef jerky and trail mix are two camping staples you should always bring with you. When the day ends, you may feel so tired you aren’t in the mood for cooking. Nutrient-rich treats like beef jerky and trail mix will help satisfy your hunger. These snacks should preserve for a good while, so there’s no wasting involved if they aren’t eaten.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. Although the location is convenient, there are many downfalls to this location. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. So, they may not have the comfort and convenience that they hoped for.
Armed with the proper information, you can now begin to plan your next adventure. Use the information you learned to become a master camper. It does not matter if you stay close to home or travel far away for your camping adventure, you will have the time of your life.
Take a lot of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important. Also, make sure that you have a sunscreen with a high SPF. You might even consider a sunscreen with bug protection. That way, you can avoid applying any more products than necessary on your trip.
