Taking the perfect camping trip is very rewarding; however, never forget the need for research and preparation to ensure safety. The tips and advice you will learn here can provide you with some helpful hints to ensure a successful camping trip.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. A bigger tent means easier movement, which can be useful when you have to urinate at night.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
A first aid session, especially if you have children, is essential. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Also, do your research. You should be aware of things like whether there are snakes around and what kind of animals live there.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. Only go camping when you have prepared yourself for it. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. There may be spiders or bears that could pose a threat to your safety. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. The first time, you should camp at close to home in the event of an emergency.
Are you a novice at camping, having just bought your tent? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This also ensure that you can perform the task more quickly if you get to your campsite late, and darkness begins to set in.
Bring along some fun activities on the trip. You might want to take a deck of cards or a list of things to look for during a scavenger hunt as well as a fishing pole. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Just neglecting to include a thing or two can completely ruin the outing. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. Some things you should bring include your tent, sleeping bag, tarp, lots of water, a utility knife, already-made food, soap or hand sanitizer and items to start a fire.
When selecting an area for your tent, look for the area of the campsite with the flattest and softest ground. Choosing a slanted or rocky site will make your stay quite uncomfortable. Always put a tarp down on the ground first so that water can’t get in and ruin the tent.
Know where your kids are at all times. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. You should also have a pair of hiking boots or some other type of durable, protective shoe.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. Thus, if you forget the repellant, but remember the oranges, you’re still in luck! Experts suggest rubbing the inside peel of a ripe orange over the exposed parts of your body. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. Also, carry insect repellent.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. You should avoid setting up near any insect breeding grounds like wasp’s nest and beehives. Make sure that everyone wears long sleeved clothing if you camp near abundant vegetation, to minimize poison and insect issues. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
Always make sure that you have a sharp knife with you when you go camping. Utility knives serve many functions so bring along at least one.
Once you are finished camping, be sure your campsite is left clean. Include trash bags in your supplies to make cleanup easy. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.
Think carefully when you pack. Make a list of what you need, and check off items as you pack. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Bring a lot of ice, and don’t forget to drain your cooler.
Duct tape is an important piece of camping equipment. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. A few strips of this durable tape can keep you dry and cozy at night if your tent is damaged during the day.
As crazy as it might sound, do not forget to pack some toilet paper. If you don’t happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Seal the seams on your tent when you’re putting it up. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
New campers frequently set up their camps near the restrooms. While it may be convenient, it can also be annoying. There is usually light in that area, as well as heavy foot traffic. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
When you’re done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. Pack your own garbage bags to make cleaning easy. Don’t leave any food behind either. The main rule when you’re leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
Food safety should be maintained while you are on your trip. Place food in sealed containers so it does not come in contact with water. Store your food in an insulated cooler. Do not store cooked and raw foods together to avoid contamination. Wash your hands while preparing food and afterward, and keep any surfaces, utensils and cooking containers clean as well. Cook all your foods completely and quickly refrigerate foods.
Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. While it is convenient, it will decrease your comfort levels.
Make sure to plan fun things to do from your trip’s start to its finish. You do not need to stick to just sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. Plan activities that create fun for everyone at the campsite. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. This should include anything you might need if you have an accident. The first aid kit should include bandages, allergy and pain medicine and other essentials. Safety is important when camping, but accidents do happen, so you have to be prepared.
Being prepared can make your camping trip much more enjoyable and memorable. Using these tips mentioned above can help you enjoy a safe and relaxing trip and also prepare you for any problems you may encounter.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. You want to keep your skin protected during your trip. Find sunscreen that offers good coverage. Sunscreen with bug repellent is an excellent choice for camping trips. This will keep your pack light and save you time.
