A lot of people think of camping as bug bites, low food and being bored. It is not like that at all. By taking the time to properly plan, you can avoid nasty bugs, eat well and have a wonderful time. Read on to find out more.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. It’s always recommended that you bring extra wood and keep it where it won’t get wet.
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Talk about the state you would like to go to. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
It is important to keep in mind the fact that your person and all of your possessions will get dirty during a camping trip. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
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. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. Using this method, you can acquire kindling and camp in the same day.
If you think you’ll miss the luxuries of home, bring along a liitle something. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. From mending tent holes to fixing shoes, duct tape can be used for a lot of repair work in a pinch.
Camping Pillows
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. You could experience a number of problems, such as equipment failure, and wish to cut the trip short. It could be that you didn’t pack enough food or your clothing is not warm enough. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.
Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! 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. Camping pillows are coated to prevent this from happening, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. Depending upon how long your trip will last, you should have plenty of food that won’t spoil over the course of your trip. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. Take the proper steps to prepare your food and do research if necessary.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. You don’t want to take food with you that will spoil easily, no matter the length of time of your trip. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. Card games, fishing poles, scavenger hunt lists and other supplies can make hanging out in the woods more fun. Children often complain that they’re bored wherever they go, so bring along as many items as you can think of to keep them entertained.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This can help you stay warm if it cools down at night or you may use them for extra padding.
Bring some duct tape on your camping trip. There are multiple uses to put it to when camping, just like at home. This can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. Tape also does wonders for blisters by offering an additional layer of protection. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. The creation of a list of all the things needed and use of that list when packing will be helpful. A few things that you probably should pack include a sleeping bag, tent, knife, food, soap, and plenty of water.
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. Light can also help to illuminate the wildlife that is around you. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
Find a soft and flat spot to pitch your tent when you are camping in the wilderness. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. Also, use a tarp under your tent to keep water out and prevent damage.
Have the clothing you will pack planned out before your trip. You should have clean clothes that will last you 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.
Prior to leaving for a camping journey, be sure to draft a list of necessary supplies. This can be of particular importance if you are traveling a long distance and will be in more remote locations. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
Always be aware of where your camp is located. Areas with insect nests and breeding grounds should always be avoided when setting up. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. It would also be advisable to carry a high-quality insect repellent with you.
Keep one eye on your children at all times. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. 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. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you must erect your tent near dense areas of vegetation, make sure that you wear tops with long sleeves and full length pants in order to protect your body’s skin from insect bites. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. Preparation is what makes the difference between the two experiences. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
Cell Phone
Before going camping, make sure you know how to read your map or how to use your compass. Even if this isn’t your first time at the site, it’s easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. Also, this will help to avoid tragedy with friends or family.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving your car or campsite. As an added safety precaution, you may wish to bring an additional battery so you have plenty of power. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Matches that are waterproof are a key component of any survival kit. Keep them stored in an air and water tight container. You can convert standard matches into waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. You can store them in a prescription bottle or film canister.
You should be sure you have survival and first aid kits. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. You can avoid making situations worse, and you can take an injured person for help in a safe way.
Seal all your tent’s seams. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. Sealing the seams of your tent will prevent any insects or water from getting inside.
When you’re done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Take any leftover food with you. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
Clean up your campsite before going home. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Don’t leave any food behind either. The only thing that should be left behind are your footprints.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. People quickly realize that camping near bathrooms is a bad idea. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
When camping, how will you cook your food? Before leaving, you will want to know what cooking method will be used so the proper supplies can be packed. You can easily boil foods like hot dogs over a boiling pot of water and an open flame, but you need the right equipment.
Make food safety a priority when you set off camping. Place food in sealed containers so it does not come in contact with water. Any perishable food should be stored in insulated coolers. Do not store cooked and raw foods together to avoid contamination. Keep surfaces and hands clean when you’re dealing with your food. Use hand sanitizer or soap. Make sure cooked foods reach the correct temperature and make sure perishable foods are kept chilled.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. Even the smallest creature can be surprisingly dangerous. Don’t feed bears if you encounter any.
It should be obvious now that camping can be fun! Use the tips here as a guide to assist you in planning your next outdoor adventure. Following these guidelines will help you to prevent issues that may take away from the enjoyment of your trip, so use them the best you can.
Handle restroom needs downstream if you camp near running water. By doing so, you will only have fresh water at your campsite. Relieve yourself at least one hundred yards from your campgrounds.
