How long has it been since you went camping? Camping provides a great opportunity to relax, enjoy nature, and reflect on your life. You can leave all your worries behind. Use this article to turn yourself into a knowledgeable camper for the next time you explore the great outdoors!
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You might develop hypothermia.
Consider having a “jungle breakfast” if you are on a camping trip with children. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. This activity adds a bit more fun to camping.
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids simply love to get dirty. This means you should prepare to have dirty children. You can not really prevent it from happening, but you can pack extra clothes. Stay ahead of the game!
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Take a first aid class, particularly if you are traveling with children. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. Do your research properly. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Once the children are awake, tell them they need to forage for their meal. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. Ensure you children know what poison ivy and poison oak looks like, what to do if they get lost or stumble upon wildlife.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. Cook and store your food properly during the trip to avoid food poisoning.
Learn about any dangers that may exist at your campsite before heading out on the highway. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Make sure you take these dangers into consideration before you leave.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. A sleeping bag is a must, and extra blankets should also be considered. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. This is so you can easily get home if you don’t enjoy your camping experience. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. Flashlights will be essential at night. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If you’re taking kids along with you, give each one of them a flashlight.
Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. Many people fear dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don’t keep a good eye on them.
Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. It would also be advisable to carry a high-quality insect repellent with you.
Is this the first time you are camping? Before you head off on that initial camping trip, practice pitching your tent. Doing this will make you properly prepared when you get to camp. With this practice under your belt, your tent will go up much quicker and have you sheltered before night falls.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. As an added safety precaution, you may wish to bring an additional battery so you have plenty of power. In the event of an emergency, you will need your cell to call out for help, so this item is very important.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! Often times, even the best plans go awry. There are many things that can go wrong, including illness, injury or extreme weather conditions. Do what you can to prevent any accidents or illnesses and bring what you need to treat it if it does happen.
Have a first aid pack on hand, as well as a well stocked survival kit. These are things that can make a big difference when things go wrong so you don’t have to abort your trip early. Carrying these items can help a situation stay safe, rather than turning very harmful or even fatal.
Find a soft and flat spot to pitch your tent when you are camping in the wilderness. If you select a bumpy or slanted area, you will have an uncomfortable experience in your tent. Put a tarp down before pitching your tent to prevent water from entering.
Camping Trip
Your sleeping bag should be able to accommodate a variety of camping conditions. Hot weather calls for a lightweight bag, while heavier bags are needed for colder temperatures. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
You can have the relaxing camping trip of your dreams, or you can have the disastrous camping trip of your nightmares. It all depends on the time you take to properly prepare for your trip. If you prepare for different scenarios, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.
Keep one eye on your children at all times. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Pack wisely and carefully. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Waterproof matches are an absolute essential addition to your camping survival kit. These matches should be kept in a container that’s airtight. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. Provide your own caddy for the matches by storing them in a plastic medicine bottle or 35mm film container.
One simple tip that many people overlook is creating your shelter before dark. Pitching tents in the dark can be almost impossible. 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. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. Although the location is convenient, there are many downfalls to this location. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
When preparing your survival kit for your camping trip, pack some waterproof matches. Use an airtight container to store them. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
Make sure to practice food safety whenever you go camping. Use bags that are airtight and your containers should be waterproofed. Keep food in insulated coolers. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. And always wash your hands before touching food. Ensure that you heat food thoroughly and keep perishable items chilled at all times.
When erecting your tent, ensure that you are able to seal all seams. If you tent did not include a tube of sealer, you can find it at sporting goods stores. This will prevent rainwater or critters from getting into your tent.
Your tent should be kept ventilated and free of moisture. Condensation from breathing and perspiration can build up in a sealed tent, causing moisture to permeate the walls, roof, floor, and even sleeping bags. You might wake up wet if this happens. It is best to get a tent that gives you the option to vent the tent so that this does not occur.
How will you prepare your food at the campsite? Before you leave you should decide just how to cook and what you’ll need to bring for it. Everyone likes the idea of cooking over an open flame, but without the proper cooking supplies, it can be very difficult.
A full first aid kit should be a vital part of your camping gear. Kits need to include everything necessary in the event of injuries. Be sure to include pain killers, bandages, snake bite supplies, aloe, tweezers, and gauze. Safety is important when camping, but accidents do happen, so you have to be prepared.
Follow proper safety procedures when camping. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. That cute little squirrel may not be the friendly cute companion that it seems to be. And, unless you’re in Jellystone Park, don’t feed any bears!
If your campsite is located near a stream, ensure you do not contaminate the water by relieving yourself near the water’s edge. If any of your business is handled upstream, it will likely end up contaminating your meal and ruining a good night. It’s a good idea to stay a good 100 yards or so from the campsite for things of this nature; just as a common courtesy.
Having an enjoyable camping trip is possible, if you put the tips you read above to use. Camping is a great activity to get your family involved in, and as long as you work to prepare well ahead of time and continue to read about great camping tips, you will find camping to be one of the most enjoyable things you do for fun.
Always set your shelter up while there’s still light. If the sun is going down, you may be too late to get your shelter finished before darkness closes in. If you have no tent, creating a shelter is easier in daylight.
