Camping is one of the most popular activities that families or friends can share. Everyone should give this exciting experience a try if they can. Camping isn’t a fool’s sport and it requires a bit of knowledge regarding your surrounding environment. Learn some tips, from the article that follows, that you can use on your next camping trip.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. This will not only familiarize you with the process, it will allow you to ensure there are no missing pieces or defects. It can reduce the frustration that you could experience setting up the tent as well.
Sleeping Bag
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You may even risk hypothermia.
Pack additional clothes when going camping. Camping can be messy. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. Prepare ahead of time!
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Going camping can get really dirty. Kids are seriously attracted to the dirt. Therefore, you will need to understand that a clean trip is probably out of the question. By packing a few extra changes of clothes, your children can be presentable at dinner. Stay ahead of the game!
Before leaving for a trip away, attend a comprehensive first aid tutorial. Undertaking such a task is particularly important if you are going to be camping with children. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. 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.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will allow you to sleep more comfortably and get up easier during the night when you need to use the bathroom.
Try to combine a camping experience with a swimming experience of some kind. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
Enroll in a first aid course, especially if your trip will include kids. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Be sure to research beforehand. 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.
Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
If you think you’ll miss the luxuries of home, bring along a liitle something. Bring along something lightweight and easy to carry, like a little bit of cream for your coffee or a candy bar. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
Be sure to bring a supply of oranges with you on your trip; they are both healthy and keep mosquitoes away. Save the orange peels and rub them into your exposed skin. Insects will stay away from you for an affordable price.
Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. 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.
Camping Pillows
Be aware of where your campsite is. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. Insect repellent is a life saver.
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. Make sure that you bring camping pillows that do not absorb moisture. The tend to absorb ambient moisture and grow mildew as well. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Also, it’s important to take all food with you when you leave too. Leave only your footprints should be your motto as you clean your camp.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If the food that you pack for camping is not canned, vacuum sealed or preserved, you exposing yourself to the possibility of experiencing food poisoning from eating spoiled food. Bring lots of ice to prevent food from spoiling, and remove the drain plug on the cooler so your food stays dry.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. Keep your flashlight in a secure place to avoid accidentally turning them on. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
Don’t forget the toilet paper. When camping at a facility without public bathrooms, you will need to do your business outside. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
Novice campers often set up their tent near bathrooms, but this is an error. Although the location is convenient, there are many downfalls to this location. Bathrooms are not only sources of light, but they receive quite a bit of traffic. This can lead to difficulty sleeping and other discomforts that you want to avoid.
Sleeping Bags Tend
Bring clothes that are suitable for the weather when you camp. Sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. This type of cycle can continue with a cold night. You’ll need to be sure your clothes are layered so it’s easy to adjust what you’re wearing throughout your day.
Make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the location. Lightweight sleeping bags tend to work better in warmer weather and heavyweight sleeping bags tend to work better in colder weather. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
make sure your tent stays dry and there is plenty of ventilation. If your tent is sealed tightly, it will create condensation on not only the tent, but also on items in the tent. You may end up waking to unpleasant dampness. Crack one of your tent’s vents, doors or windows so that moisture does not build up.
Camping is a fun experience, but requires being prepared and knowing a few things. Apply what you’ve just learned prior to leaving for your next trip. If you take the advice that was shared above, you’ll be more likely to enjoy your experience.
Pocket lint is an essential for camping. Lint is an inexpensive way to start a campfire. Twick and wood chips just can’t compare to the bright flames of a handful of dryer lint. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.