You can enjoy the time spent camping with all of your family and friends. It is possible that you may never have tried it because it seems difficult. With the proper advice, it doesn’t need to be. If you want to know what it takes to have a successful camping trip, you should read the article that you can find below.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand then you won’t be so stressed out when things start to get dirtier. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. Things will go to back to normal soon enough.
Sleeping Bag
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Talk about where you want to camp. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
When camping, bring the sleeping bag that appeals to the season that you are in. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
Pack additional clothes when going camping. Camping can be a messy affair. Kids love the dirt. Your kids may become filthy as the day goes on. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. Remember, always be prepared!
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! This can get people engaged and ready to go camping.
Affirm that your insurance is intact before you leave on your trip. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Be sure to be properly prepared!
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. This kit could be the difference between life and death. Always carry it on your person when you venture away from your campsite, or it won’t do you much good.
Emergency kits are a good thing to have prepared for any camping trip. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.
Understand your medical coverage. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. This preparation tactic can help you save a lot of money in the event of an accident.
Don’t forget to pack up some duct tape when you’re camping because it’s very versatile. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
When camping with children, create special themed breakfasts. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. This activity adds a bit more fun to camping.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You would be pretty irritated if it turned out that you left your sleeping bag or tent back at home. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
Pack a bandana. Not only can it keep the hair out of your eyes, it can also be a sack to carry things, a towel to dry your hands or a potholder to grab your coffee pot from the fire. There are many uses for these, so you want to be sure you have one or both of them on your next camping trip.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. Far from civilization, kids tend to get bored. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
Oranges can be used for insect repellent. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. You must wrap everything up tight, store it away from your tent and do not take certain types of food with you. Doing this means you cut down on your possibilities of an animal attack.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
When out in the wilds camping, it is smart to be prepared for just about anything. Remember that things don’t always go the way you expect them to. Weather conditions can turn on a dime, your surroundings can change suddenly and injuries can occur at any time. It’s important to not be careless, not take any unnecessary risks, and to think before taking any actions.
Duct Tape
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
Bring some duct tape on your camping trip. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. You can close up rips and tears, and bundle things together. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. It can also be used in lieu of bandages.
A tasty orange provides a peel that can help repel nasty mosquitoes. If you forgot to bring your favorite brand of mosquito repellant, this remedy might save you from some discomfort. Rub the white, pithy insides of the orange skin over your skin. This can keep mosquitoes at bay for a number of hours.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. 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 you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Bring one to use for emergencies, particularly if you are a long way from home.
Plan your camping attire in advance of your trip. Be sure you have enough clean clothes to last the entire trip. You should also make sure that you pack suitable clothes for the weather forecast and activities planned. You should pack at least one pair of durable closed-toed boots.
A utility knife is the perfect camping accessory. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
Be conscious of where you set up camp. You have to be sure you don’t set up next to stinging insects or anything unsafe. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. You might also want to carry bug repellent too.
Bring waterproof matches as part of your survival kit. Store them inside an airtight container. If you do not have waterproof matches, you can quickly convert regular matches by dipping them in either nail polish or paraffin wax. Your container can be an empty film holder or even a plastic medicine bottle.
It’s a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. The best idea is to bring a couple of extra batteries to maintain your phone. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.
Wearing your clothing in layers is always best when camping outdoors. Sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly. A chilly morning can turn into a hot and humid afternoon. The night can get cold. By dressing in layers, you can adjust your clothes to the changes in the weather easily.
Prepare for camping by packing smart. Create a list of equipment and supplies that you may need while camping, and cross out each item as you pack it. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
Plan your camping trip out. Camping trips shouldn’t only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Be creative and think of activities that will be fun for each family member. Make sure that all age groups of your family are considered in your planning.
It is important in tent building to close any and all seams on the tent. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. This will keep any critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.
Take a lot of sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential. Look for an optimum sunscreen for the conditions and make sure the SPF is sufficient. If possible, you may wish to purchase a sunscreen which provides additional protection against biting bugs. This will keep your pack light and save you time.
Plan plenty of activities to keep yourself busy while camping. You do not need to stick to just sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. Come up with creative ideas and plan something fun for each person to do in your camping party. When making plans, consider your older and younger children.
You should have a method for purifying your water on hand when you camp, including a few purifying tablets. These tablets are great in case you ever run out of water and need an additional resource. You should also try some water treated with the tablets at home, before you ever leave for your trip. This gives you an idea of what the water will be like. You will want to get a different type of tablet it you find out that you don’t like the way your water taste.
Camping is an easy thing to do now, isn’t it? Even a novice can learn to love it. Use the information above to make your next trip a wonderful one. You should plan out a fun and exciting camping experience in the near future.
Always keep a trail map with you. After all, there is always a chance that you could make a wrong turn and end up getting lost. With a map, it is far more likely that you will be able to recover and get yourself back to the campsite.