Most people see camping as a way to get rid of stress and get away from the stresses of the day. Without proper planning and preparation, your trip can turn into a disaster. The piece that follows offers great ideas for making your camping experience a great one.
Although you might assume the woods will offer you plenty of firewood for your camping needs, nature may surprise you with rain-soaked logs or wood that will not easily ignite. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. That is particularly true if you aren’t used to the blackness of the wilderness. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. Accidents happen, and taking the right precautions will ensure you know how to better a poor situation. You should also do some research. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. This way, if someone were to have an accident, you’ll possess enough knowledge to deal with it enough until medical help arrives. Also, do your research. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. By doing this, you’ll have all the kindling you need.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Be certain that your camping trips always involve proper planning. If you’re going somewhere you’ve never been, do a little research about the land. Find out the weather, wildlife and the layout of the land.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Take something that is lightweight, like a chocolate bar or coffee creamer. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Take into consideration all the possibilities that nature has to offer, and take precautions for them.
Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Pillows designed for camping have a coating on them that does not all the moisture to be absorbed.
Camping Trip
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Many camping areas pose some dangers.
Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. Get online with them and show them what poison ivy, poisonous snakes, and other dangers look like. This will help your kids know what to avoid when exploring.
Know what dangers await you at your camping destination. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Many camping areas pose some dangers.
Be sure to pack a sufficient amount of the proper foods. You don’t want to bring a lot of food that will easily spoil. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.
Though camping is meant to emphasize minimalism, some carefully chosen supplies can make all the difference. While a sleeping bag is obvious, it is still a good idea to bring extra blankets. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. If you lose them during your trip, that picture can help you immensely. Always bring an emergency photo, especially if your campsite is far from your home.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. The difference between these two comes down to one thing – preparation. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare 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. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. Should you lose track of your children at some point during your camping trip, having a picture handy could make a world of difference. Always have one on you for emergencies.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Pack an adequate supply of ice for keeping perishable foods nice and cold and be sure to drain your cooler’s plug so the food doesn’t get soaked.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. Being prepared also keeps minor emergencies from becoming major emergencies.
Many people who are new to camping think that erecting a tent next to the campsite’s communal bathrooms is a good idea. They have convenience in mind, but might find out the situation is different than they thought. There is usually light in that area, as well as heavy foot traffic. Because of that, they aren’t really as convenient as one might think.
While creating a survival kit, include waterproof matches. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. Provide your own caddy for the matches by storing them in a plastic medicine bottle or 35mm film container.
You should bring toilet paper and baby wipes on every camping trip. While you could certainly “rough it” and use leaves, there’s not really a good reason to torture yourself when wipes and toilet paper are easily transported.
Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. Food poisoning can happen when food is spoiled, which is something you risk when you take food not properly preserved, vacuum sealed or canned. Ice is important as it will help to keep your food chilled and fresh.
Save your dryer lint and bring it with you when you camp. Lint from your dryer is a great campfire starter. The lint makes bright flames, even brighter than with twigs or wood chips. For the perfect fire to keep you warm, give your lint a spark to get it going.
As mentioned initially in this article, taking a camping trip is usually a fun adventure. However, the entire trip can go wrong if you are unprepared. Take the tips this article has given to you to have a stress-free camping trip. And remember, have fun!
Take plenty of water, food and drinks along with your camping supplies. Keep your food safe from animals while you are sleeping by securely storing it. Food waste should be burned so that animals are not attracted to your campsite by the smell.