Many people like the experience of camping outdoors. If you want to be properly ready to make the most out of your camping, you need to be knowledgeable about the subject. By taking time to learn from the advice below, your upcoming trip can become the best trip you’ve ever had.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. On the other hand, you don’t want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you’re going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
Seek Shelter
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. Also be sure to do all the research you can about the area. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. You may miss the shower at your home when you are camping. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You might develop hypothermia.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. This item has many different uses such as a hand towel and carrying bag. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you’re camping.
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Have a bag next to the dryer so you don’t forget to collect it. Your kindling will be ready for you to grab on the way out the door for your trip.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. Be sure to do thorough research too. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Before the sun goes down, make sure that you have your camp completely set up. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. You can see how to set up your camp, which will save a good deal of frustration.
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. 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.
Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
Even in a remote site where you plan on roughing it, you can enhance your camping trip with a small piece of luxury. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. It is these simple luxuries that can lift your mood.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Each camp is individual, so scope out the one you are planning to enter before every trip.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. You should take sleeping bags and extra blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. If they aren’t used to camping activities, teach them before you leave.
Pitching a tent can be complicated for anyone, but it is especially difficult for beginner campers. Learn how to pitch your tent before you leave for the campsite. This will help you to be prepared with the right equipment and skills to pitch your tent with ease. You can do this best before it gets dark outside.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It’s easy to look at photos online of harmful plants like poison ivy so that they are aware that they should not touch them when they’re camping.
Make sure you have what you might need in case of any event. Remember, though, that you can’t plan for every eventuality. Also, be aware that the weather can be very unpredictable. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If you have kids with you, be sure they each have their own flashlight.
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. You can also use it to patch up a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. 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.
Think about your clothing before your camping adventure. You will need an adequate supply of clean clothes to last the entirety of your trip. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. Shoes that will hold up and have closed toes are what you should wear for the most part.
Are you new to camping and now have a brand new tent in your possession? Learn how to pitch your tent before you leave for the campsite. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. Preparation makes all the difference. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
Prepare for your camping trip thoroughly. Make sure you have put a little thought into things in case the unexpected does occur. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Write down everything you will need, and cross them off as they are packed. That is essential if you are going far away to a remote site and unable to get first aid items and other necessary things.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
People that are new at camping sometimes mistakenly set up their camps near restrooms. While this might be convenient, you’ll soon find out differently. Bathrooms are a source of light, and they are also high traffic areas. While it is convenient, it will decrease your comfort levels.
Prior to your camping trip, create a list of all the equipment and personal items you need to take. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Start packing a couple of days in advance of camping, making sure to follow a checklist.
Keep safety at the front of your mind. In other words, stay away from wild animals, large or small. Squirrels, raccoons and the like can be quite dangerous, even though they are small. Obviously, you should never try to feed a bear, should you encounter one.
Before you go camping, make sure to think about the clothes you will need for the trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, be sure that you carry articles of clothing that are appropriate for the weather and climate of your camping location. Robust hiking boots that do not tear are another great item to bring while camping.
For people who know how to camp properly, camping can be one of the best activities that they can enjoy. Good research is the foundation for a wonderful camping trip. Remember everything from this article, and and you’ll be on your way to setting up your campsite.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
