Prepare yourself to learn as much as you can about camping. What is great about camping is that it will allow you and your whole family to share a great experience together. Since you’re wanting to get all you can out of your camping trip, pay attention to the advice that follows.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. There is a lot of mess that goes along with camping. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. You can not really prevent it from happening, but you can pack extra clothes. Be sure you’re prepared!
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Enjoy being in the woods and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. There’s plenty of time for showers and being super clean once you’re home again.
Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. When you know what the weather is going to be like ahead of time, you can pack the appropriate clothing and equipment.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. Sometimes going into a different state means that you will need to have an additional policy. It is even more critical if you are camping outside of your country. Always be prepared.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. Your kindling will be ready for you to grab on the way out the door for your trip.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. The kids will love it.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Just keep the peels in a plastic bag after you eat the orange and then use them to rub on your skin as the sun begins to go down. It is a cheap and effective way to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. The cool water at a beach or pool will help you feel clean and refreshed.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
As you plan your camping adventure, take children aside and go over common dangers and issues they may encounter. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. It’s vital to everyone’s well being that no severe risks are taken and that all safety precautions are heeded.
Create a list of the items you must bring before you go camping. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
Sleeping Bag
The peel of an orange might save you from mosquito bites on your next camping trip. This is an especially useful tip to remember if you forgot your bug spray. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. This can keep mosquitoes at bay for a number of hours.
Always pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the weather. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Make sure that you have the correct types of clothes for your camping trip. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential footwear for any camping trip.
Use orange peels to ward off mosquito bites naturally while camping. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Experts suggest rubbing the inside peel of a ripe orange over the exposed parts of your body. You should be mosquito free for hours.
Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. Try to steer clear of wasp nests or other pest havens. If the campsite has a lot of vegetation, protect exposed skin by wearing long pants and sleeves. You should also have insect repellent.
Be aware of where your campsite is. Always avoid camping near a bee’s nest or insect breeding grounds. Whenever you are close to a great deal of vegetation, protective clothing layers are key to stave off insect bites. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Trail mix is a classic snack and for a good reason. Throw a little beef jerky, a few fruits, and you’ve got yourself a full camper’s meal. By nightfall, you may be too exhausted to prepare a campfire and cook, and having the quick, nutritious foods will really come in handy. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. Even better, bring extra batteries so you are prepared if there is an emergency. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
Pack mindfully and appropriately. Prepare a list of supplies, and use this to check off items as they are packed. This will save you the inconvenience of forgetting something and having to stop for it and it is very important, especially if your are going to a remote location.
Duct tape is an important piece of camping equipment. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. A piece of durable duct tape can keep you dry at night, even if your tent was damaged by accident.
Now that you’ve finished reading this article, you should be a lot more confident about camping. It can be an exciting experience to go on a camping trip, but that’s only if you’re aware of what you’re doing. You are fortunate to know that after today, fun is in your future.
Food poisoning is a common danger of camping stemming from improper food storage. Bring preserved foods and foods that don’t spoil easily. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.
