The perception that people have of camping is boredom mixed with insect bites and camp food. This, however, is not really the truth. By planning a bit in advance, your camping trip can be bug-free and deliciously enjoyable. If you want to learn easy ways to enjoy camping, you should read the tips below.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You might even get hypothermia.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Just have fun. Relax, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. When you return home, make sure to stay as organized as possible.
Sleeping Bag
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. This can eliminate the aggravation felt when setting up your tent.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Make sure you have a survival kit with you during your entire camping trip. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. These items are important to have in case you get lost. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Never forget to research. Find out if the area has poisonous snakes, what type of wildlife lives in the woods, etc.
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. Additional research can also provide valuable information. Be sure you are aware whether there are any snakes or spiders that are poisonous and what kind of critters are out there in the area.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
Double-check any medical insurance. Traveling to a different area may necessitate that you purchase another policy. This can be even more important if you’re leaving to another country when you are camping, such as Canada. Be sure to be properly prepared!
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. When you find a camping area, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
It’s important that you make an effort to ensure that all camping gear you will need is packed before you leave to go camping. 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.
Duct Tape
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. Things may go wrong and you may have to abort your trip early if things don’t go your way. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Pack some duct tape next time you embark on a camping trip. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. If you plan to take a long hike, be sure to place some on feet to avoid developing blisters. It can also work as a bandage.
Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. Some people fear dogs. Respecting your fellow campers is essential when camping. In addition, dogs are capable of causing a great deal of damage to a campsite if not well supervised.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Remember that things don’t always go the way you expect them to. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. You need to pay attention to what you’re doing, avoid unnecessarily risky behavior, and think before you act whether you are in a crisis or a normal camping situation.
Are you new to camping and now have a brand new tent in your possession? Before you take it on your first trip, practice setting up your tent. If you have successfully done it at home, pitching it at your campsite will be easier. You can do this best before it gets dark outside.
Before heading out to go camping, compile a checklist of items that you plan to bring. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Pack a day or two before going camping, and check off things on your list as you go along.
Before you go camping, make sure to think about the clothes you will need for the trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. You should also make sure to include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and possible weather changes in your camping area. 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.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
Plan what you’re going to wear before setting off on a camping trip. Pack plenty of clothes that will last you the length of your trip. Clothing that is appropriate for the climate in which you will be camping should also be carried. Robust hiking boots that do not tear are another great item to bring while camping.
Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. Even better, bring extra batteries so you are prepared if there is an emergency. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If they go missing, you can show people the photo to help find them quickly. Always keep one ready for emergency use, especially when a good distance from the home.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. Preparation is the difference between the two. If you are well prepared for any possible situation, you are likely to have a great camping experience.
Be aware of where your campsite is. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. Keep an eye out for animals and insects around your camp, and make sure there aren’t any large populations of them close to you. Don’t forget to bring along the bug spray.
Set up camp before the sun goes down. It is very hard to set up a tent when it’s dark. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. It is so much easier to set up your shelter before dark.
Waterproof Matches
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents may be durable, but eventually they can rip. Having some duct tape to repair your tent can be the difference between sleeping soaking wet or sleeping dry on a rainy night.
While creating a survival kit, include waterproof matches. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can make a carrying case for matches by putting them in a film canister or a small plastic medicine bottle.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Even if this isn’t your first time at the site, it’s easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.
When pitching your tent, always make sure you seal the seams. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. Although the location is convenient, there are many downfalls to this location. Bathrooms are a source of light, and they are also high traffic areas. Because of that, they aren’t really as convenient as one might think.
Now you should know you can have a lot of fun camping. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. They will help you avoid the negatives and enjoy all of the positives that camping has to offer.
Make sure that your camping trip schedule is full of fun activities. Campfire songs and roasting marshmallows aren’t the only fun things to do while camping. Consider the ages and abilities of everyone involved while thinking of activities. Make sure to plan some fun for even the youngest members of your group.