It doesn’t get much better than lounging around a campfire under the stars surrounded by your friends and family. It is widely accepted that camping is a great recreational activity. That said, in order to ensure that your camping trip is fun and enjoyable, you do need to take a few things into consideration when planing such a trip. This article will provide you with some helpful advice to properly prepare for your camping excursion.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You might even contract hypothermia.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. If you prepare yourself for this ahead of time, it won’t stress you out as much when it happens. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. When you return home, make sure to stay as organized as possible.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. You can find the average weather during a season for almost any location online. Armed with the proper facts, you will know that to expect and what to pack.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. This way, should an accident occur, at least you are properly prepared until help arrives. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. These things can help you out of a bind and assist you in doing a variety of things. This is an essential item that does not cost a lot of money and can provide a lot of benefits.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Leaving your state may affect your policy. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise and have a plan in place. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Your favorite candy bar or some prepackaged creamers for your morning coffee are light and simple to bring along. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Emergency Kit
Pack oranges on your camping trip for nutritious and convenient snacking as well as organic mosquito repellant. When you finish eating them, save all of your peels and rub them around your body to use as a natural insect repellent.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. This emergency kit changes depending on the place you go camping, but you have to be certain it has the basic tools. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows are specially coated to prevent moisture absorption.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Such little luxuries will really pick up your spirits!
Plan several activities to do while camping. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. Take as many entertainment items as you can fit if you are taking kids on your trip.
Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. This will ensure everyone remains safe. A flashlight can prevent a fall and scare away unwanted wildlife. Bring flashlights to safeguard against the dangers of darkness.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. Doing this will prevent batteries from being wasted so that you can be confident they will be ready when the time comes to use them.
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. If the weather is warm, you want a lightweight bag. If frigid temperatures will be present, choose a sub-zero rated bag. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
Prior to going camping, be sure to create a list of what you’ll need. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.
Pack strategically. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. 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.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
Figure out how to read maps and use a compass before your camping trips. Even if you know what your campsite is like, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. This can help you to avoid getting lost or falling into a dangerous situation.
Think carefully when you pack. A checklist of all supplies can help you be sure that you have everything you need as you are packing. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. Use airtight container to hold the matches. You can convert standard matches into waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
It is important in tent building to close any and all seams on the tent. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.
Food poisoning happens for campers when food is not packed properly. If your food isn’t prepacked or canned, food poisoning might be a risk. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Whenever you camp, what will you do for cooking purposes? Decide how you will cook early on, so that you can prepare accordingly. You may like the idea of rustic cooking over the campfire; however, proper supplies are necessary to do so.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. Summer requires only a lightweight sleeping bag. This is a good piece of knowledge to follow because you don’t want to feel uncomfortable sleeping.
If you want an exciting camping trip from start to finish, plan your activities. Campfires and making smores aren’t all there is to do when you’re going camping. Get creative with your trip and plan activities that appeal to all members of your family. Take younger and older children into consideration when you are planning.
Plan to dress in layers. You may find that the weather conditions can change rapidly. Even if it is chilling in the morning, it may end up steaming hot in the afternoon. Evenings a lot of times get a little chilly Layers allow you to adjust to the changing weather
To remain comfortable while tent camping, keep your tent ventilated and dry. Lack of ventilation can cause condensation to form when you sweat and breathe. You can wake up wet without adequate ventilation. You want to check your tent before you sleep to see if there are any cracks or holes.
Plan your whole entire trip and add some fun activities for the whole family. There is so much more to camping than just roasting marshmallows. Try to be creative and do some activities that every family member can have fun with. Make sure to plan some fun for even the youngest members of your group.
A used shower curtain can double as a cheap tarp to place on the ground before you set up your tent. It could also be used as a base for a cooking or washing area, where you can easily control all the run-off. Torn and battered shower curtains are great to use for camping out in the wilderness.
You don’t have to purchase a tarp to put under your tent; use a cheap or old shower curtain instead. You can also use it as a way to control run-off as you are washing or cooking. Don’t throw that shower curtain away; save it for a camping tarp.
Do not forget to bring a lot of sunscreen. Guarding your skin against the sun is important. Choose a sunscreen that will provide plenty of protection given your location and skin type. You can also choose a product that also repels insects. You certainly don’t want to be smothered in stinky, irritating chemicals while meandering about in the woods.
You must bring at least one first aid kit. If an accident happens, you will have what you need. Pain killers, bandages, snake bite supplies, and gauze should all be included in the kit. Safety is essential while camping, but because accidents do occur, you should be ready to tackle them.
If you need to use the bathroom, and you are located near a water source, do it downstream. This will avoid any contamination of the water near your camp site. Answer the call of nature more than 100 yards from the campsite.
Every camper should remember to pack toilet paper and baby wipes. You could use leaves, but there’s no reason to since baby wipes and toilet paper are so much easier on the skin.
You can see that there is a lot to keep in mind when you are thinking about going camping. Use the advice from this article so your camping trip will be safe and enjoyable.
Always pack some form of water purification tabs. Never say never, but if you get hurt or lost in the great outdoors, you will need the purification tablets if you can’t boil water. It is also a good idea to try out the tablets once or twice at home before you leave, so you have some idea what the taste is like. It would be bad if you were to dislike the taste and end up dehydrated during your trip.
