Are you ready to go camping? From a weekend trip to an extended stay in a remote area, your trip must be carefully planned. The following advice can make any camping trip more relaxing and fun.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.
Select a sleeping bag which is right for the season. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Be prepared to get dirty. If you are prepared for that before you go, it will cause less stress when it happens. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy the freedom, let your hair down, and get a little dirtier than usual. You can get clean when you get home.
Let your loved ones help you pick a campsite. Talk about where you want to camp. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
Affirm that your insurance is intact before you leave on your trip. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are a number of sites that can provide detailed information regarding what to expect weather-wise during your trip. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.
To make your camping trip more enjoyable, bring along something luxurious. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. A few small indulgences can make you incredibly happy.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. There may be different items in it depending on your camping location, but there are some things that should be in any kit. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Pack a roll of duct tape with the rest of your supplies; this sticky wonder can help in a variety of circumstances. It is great for patching your tent, repairing your shoes, fixing your insect netting and various other tasks.
Oranges are good things to bring for your camping trip, and not only as a healthy snack option. After you’ve eaten the flesh of the fruit, save all the peels. When you need bug repellant, rub the peels on your skin to repel mosquitos naturally and on the cheap!
Purchase some special camping pillows. Make sure that you bring camping pillows that do not absorb moisture. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. 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.
Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. This would include stuff like what spiders dwell there, how steep the terrain is, and if the area is prone to flooding. Any place you go has its own unique challenges.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, or another person’s if they aren’t being watched.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for it. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
Do you know how to pitch a tent? It’s vital to learn all that you can before you leave about your tent. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
Plan for every situation that you can think of before packing for your trip. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. The weather could turn sour, injuries could occur or other unforeseen events may happen. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. Flashlights will be essential at night. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
It is advisable to bring beef jerky or trail mix with you on a camping trip. After a long and tiresome day, you may want to eat these nutritious snacks instead of cooking. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.
When camping with kids, have a photo of them at hand. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Keep pictures of your children on you when ever you are far from home.
It is important that you have first aid and survival kits on hand when you go camping. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. A first aid kit helps to prevent situations from becoming serious, and it allows you to help family or friends until medical help arrives.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
Pack mindfully and appropriately. Have a checklist of everything you need on your next camping trip, and then use that list in full to pack. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
Make sure you pack carefully and wisely. Create a list of equipment and supplies that you may need while camping, and cross out each item as you pack it. This is key if you plan to visit a far away spot that is not likely to offer fist aid or other critical supplies.
After your trip, be certain you leave the campsite cleaner than it was when you found it. Bring enough trash bags for the anticipated clean up. Take any leftover food with you. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. It’s hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. If you wait until dark to pitch your tent, you will need to build a fire or light several lanterns to ensure you can see to pitch your tent correctly. This should be done when the sun is present so that you can use natural light.
A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. People quickly realize that camping near bathrooms is a bad idea. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
Getting Lost
A shower curtain that is past its prime is a quick and inexpensive tarp for placement under your tent. It can also be placed under cooking and washing stations so you can better handle the mess when those areas are used. Don’t throw that shower curtain away; save it for a camping tarp.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you’ve already been to your future campsite, getting lost once there is still a possibility since many areas of the site will look the same. This can help you to avoid getting lost or falling into a dangerous situation.
When packing for a camping trip, remember to pack something entertaining. Electronics can spoil the mood of camping, but bring a book, a radio, a baseball glove, and maybe even your bike to keep you active and entertained for the duration of the trip.
Matches that are waterproof are a key component of any survival kit. These should be stored in an airtight container. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. An empty prescription bottle or an old film container makes great storage for your matches.
Take plenty of dryer or pocket lint with you on your camping trip. You may think this is odd, but lint makes a terrific campfire-building aid. Lint makes flames that burn hotter and brighter than wood. All you need is the lint and a spark for a quick, warm fire.
After reading this, you should be well prepared for planning your next camping trip. You’ve probably already figured out that you’ll need to plan for a day and night adventure. Get yourself prepared today so that your future trip will go as smoothly as it possibly can, and you can avoid any dangers out there.
You must always set up your shelter before dark. Once the sun goes down, it is more difficult to set up a tent, prepare your campfire area or make sure your food is secure. It will be very hard to make shelter at night if you don’t do this.
