No matter where you decide to go camping, being prepared makes the whole trip more enjoyable. This article will help prepare you for a camping trip of a lifetime, and inspire you with some great activities. You will be happy to have found this information.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
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. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Make sure your survival kit is available on a constant basis. A survival kit should consist of matches, first aid necessities a flare gun and a knife. This kit can keep you alive! Keep your kit with you at all times; don’t leave it at the campsite.
Getting Dirty
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Review your health insurance policy. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
When buying a tent, be sure that it’s large enough to accommodate you and any guests you have. This helps you to have a more comfy night’s sleep, and trips in and out of the tent will be less disturbing for those who are sleeping.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Collect your dryer lint about a month before you go camping. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. To do this, tie cereal and juice boxes to trees so that your kids have to hunt for their breakfest. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
It’s important to take duct tape on every camping trip so that you can use it to solve problems. It has several uses like fixing a hole in a tent and holding moisture.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Purchase some special camping pillows. Make sure that you bring camping pillows that do not absorb moisture. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. This means, research what types of animals and insects are deadly or which weather patterns you need to watch for. Many camping areas pose some dangers.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. Other problems can be food shortage or inadequate clothing. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. Also, it can help to seal any tears, which can make your item usable for the duration of your trip. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. If anyone hurts themselves, it can be used for securing splints or for covering wounds, provided something soft is placed between the tape and skin.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. This helps lower your attack risk.
Make sure you bring the right things when you go camping. Even just a handful of things missing can really affect your camping experience. Lists help people know what they need before they go. Be sure your list includes the tent and sleeping bags, as well as food items and personal hygiene items.
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money. Tape can be used to seal holes in your sleeping mattress. Also, it can help to seal any tears, which can make your item usable for the duration of your trip. If you’re planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. You can even use it to hold on a makeshift bandage.
Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
Try to arrange all of your clothing in advance before you go on a camping trip. Make sure you have plenty of clean clothes for the duration of your trip. Also, be sure that you carry articles of clothing that are appropriate for the weather and climate of your camping location. It is also a good idea to bring a few pairs of shoes so that you have extras in case of mud or water getting into them.
A tasty orange provides a peel that can help repel nasty mosquitoes. If you’ve packed everything, except for mosquito repellant, do not fret. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. It’ll keep you mosquito-free for hours.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. This precaution can prevent loss of life and give you the time you need to get needed medical assistance in case of injury.
When camping with children, bring along a picture of each child. In case you get separated, having the pictures on your person will help you find them quickly. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. If it’s already dark, you’ll need to create fire while using a flashlight. It is easier if you do it while it is still daylight.
Pack carefully and intelligently. List all of the supplies that you need so that you are not missing anything while on the trip. This is something you should strive to do if you are camping in a secluded spot, away from first-aid or emergency amenities.
Clean out your campsite before you leave to go back home. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Don’t leave any food behind either. The best practice to follow when camping is to clean the campsite well, and leave only your footprints behind.
Duct Tape
Use the appropriate sleeping bag for the current season. For example, in the summertime, a lighter bag will keep you cool. During the winter, however, a thick sleeping bag will trap your body heat and ensure that you don’t freeze.
Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. Having some duct tape to repair your tent can be the difference between sleeping soaking wet or sleeping dry on a rainy night.
When you’re away camping, what cooking methods are you planning on using? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. If you want to eat food that is cooked over an open flame, you must have the proper equipment.
Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. Store them inside an airtight container. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. Regular matches can be made waterproof when you dip matches in nail polish or paraffin. Make a match holder out of a plastic medicine bottle or a 35mm film container.
Make plans in advance so you can have the most fun. You do not need to stick to just sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. Think about enjoyable activities for all family members. Take your children’s age into consideration when making plans.
Clearly, camping is an activity that can be enjoyed by virtually everyone. After today, you now know how to get the most out of your next camping trip and plan activities that even those who are the indoor-type can enjoy. Get to know what there is to offer from camping and plan out your next trip soon.
If camping has always appealed to you, but you remain a novice, you can rapidly determine whether the pastime does indeed suit you. Pick up your tent, set it in your own back yard, and spend the night there. Don’t go into your house for any reason. If this becomes a fun night for you, then you will love camping.