With a bunch of TV shows now about living outdoors, it’s very easy to see why it’s becoming more popular to camp nowadays. If you think it’s time to take an adventure of your own, learn a few tricks to make your experience into a great one.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Sleeping Bag
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Talk about where you want to camp. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. Don’t take a heavy sleeping bag out in the summer, it could make you sweat and be uncomfortable all night long. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. You may even develop hypothermia.
Carry a survival kit on your person. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Carry it at all times.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. After all, you can be normal at home.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be a bit messy. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. As a result, they are going to be seriously messy by the end of each day. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Prepare thoroughly!
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Talk about which state to go to. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. This way, if someone were to have an accident, you’ll possess enough knowledge to deal with it enough until medical help arrives. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Knowing about the native species in your camp area, such as snakes or other dangerous animals, is essential.
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. This kit can keep you alive! Your kit should not be left behind at the camp site, but should be carried with you wherever you go.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. Some websites will tell you what the weather is usually like during the time you’ll be going. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Don’t forget to include special pillows made just for camping on your adventure. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. They have probably never fished or set up tents. If you don’t normally spend time outside, show them before you go camping.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. You want to bring a kit for any situation that might arise during your camping trip. 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.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Card games, fishing poles, scavenger hunt lists and other supplies can make hanging out in the woods more fun. Take as many entertainment items as you can fit if you are taking kids on your trip.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Pack some duct tape next time you embark on a camping trip. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money. It can be used as a quick patch in the case of a punctured air mattress. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. If you’re planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. Depending upon how long your trip will last, you should have plenty of food that won’t spoil over the course of your trip. You don’t want to get food poisoning, so you want food that doesn’t spoil easily. Take all precautions to make sure your food is packed and prepared properly.
The main idea when you’re camping out in the wilderness is to live with what you can, but it’s important to be prepared for anything. Bring creature comforts like a sleeping bag, extra blankets and even an air mattress. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. If you choose an uneven area, being in your tent will be uncomfortable and unenjoyable. Make sure you put down a tarp before you set up your tent. This will keep water from entering your tent at night.
Having fun when camping involves knowledge and skill. Now, you should have the information you need to handle the basics. Knowing what to expect goes a long way in planning the ideal camping trip.
You want to make sure that you don’t end up with drained flashlight batteries when you head out on your camping trip. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will remain fresh when you need them.