When you camp you are out in the elements with very few conveniences. Because of this, you need to plan and prepare very carefully. For tips and suggestions about having a great camping trip, keep reading.
You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. Bringing your own small supply of wood and keeping it dry is a wise decision.
Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
Chances are, your family and your belongings are going to end up getting dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Enjoy being in the woods and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Survival Kit
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Discuss which state you wish to visit. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
Pack and carry a survival kit on your person for the entire trip. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. Never let it leave your side.
Try out your tent before going camping by testing it out at home. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.
Make sure to have an idea of the weather before starting your trip. You can visit http://www.weather.com to check the weather just about anywhere. Be sure to look at the 10 day forecast along with extended weather patterns. When you know what the weather is going to be like ahead of time, you can pack the appropriate clothing and equipment.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. You could also read about different first aid techniques online. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. Only go camping once you are fully prepared. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Make sure to see what the weather forecast is for the town you are camping in. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. Armed with the proper facts, you will know that to expect and what to pack.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Double-check any medical insurance. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
It’s not totally necessary to rough it during your entire trip. You can bring along something comforting from home for your trip. It can be something as simple as your favorite pillow or coffee creamer. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Pack oranges on your camping trip for nutritious and convenient snacking as well as organic mosquito repellant. 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!
Before the sun goes down, make sure that you have your camp completely set up. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. If you have an RV, find a secure place to park. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Not all people are dog lovers, and some are extremely terrified of dogs. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Also, dogs can cause damage if you let them run free, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.
Write down a list of your necessary items before heading out on a camping excursion. This will be key, particularly if you are camping far away from home. Start packing a few days ahead of your trip, and tick items off as you pack them.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
Prepare your clothing in advance of your camping trip. Make sure you pack enough appropriate clothing for the duration and activity planned for your outing. It is also important to have clothing that is right for the weather you might encounter. You should also have a pair of hiking boots or some other type of durable, protective shoe.
Camping allows you to free yourself from modern life and its stresses. For many, this is one of the great things about camping; for others, it is harder to deal with. As a camping trip is meant to be fun and relaxing, you should ensure that you plan for said trip properly. Your plan should includes lot of good ideas. Now that you’ve learned the tips from this article, it is time to put them to use and start planning your next adventure!
A camping trip could be a relaxing, tranquil experience, or it could end up being a vacation from hell. The difference between each experience all comes down to how prepared you are. If you prepare for different scenarios, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.