Most people find that camping can be one of the most enjoyable trips they ever take. One of the best ways to ensure your trip is a good one is to learn more about what camping entails. The following article will help you prepare for your trip out into the wilderness.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. You might even get hypothermia.
Sleeping Bag
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. This will ensure that your tent is not missing pieces and that you understand how to set up your tent correctly. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. You don’t want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.
Pack a first aid kit. You want to bring a kit for any situation that might arise during your camping trip. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. Take something like creamer for your coffee or a chocolate candy bar. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will make it easy for you all to have a comfortable time sleeping, and moving around in the middle of the night when nature calls for people.
Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for 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!
If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Also, do your research. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
It is important that you remember all the camping gear when going on a trip. Forgetting something important, such as a sleeping bag, is a terrible feeling. Verify all the things that you need or should take and write out a list of all of them. Then, check your final packing according to the list to be sure.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It only takes a few minutes of going online to look at photos of plants they should avoid, such as poison ivy or other such things, to make sure your camping venture is free from common mishaps.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer’s filter. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
Be sure to pack a sufficient amount of the proper foods. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. Take all precautions to make sure your food is packed and prepared properly.
Emergency Kit
Come prepared for everything when you’re preparing to camp. There is always the potential that something unexpected may happen even with the most careful planning. Weather conditions can turn on a dime, your surroundings can change suddenly and injuries can occur at any time. It’s vital to everyone’s well being that no severe risks are taken and that all safety precautions are heeded.
An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
When you find your camping spot, put the tent up on top of the patch of ground that is flattest and softest. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Always put down a tarp in order to stop water from getting into your tent.
Kids really enjoy camping if they are kept busy with fun activities. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. Take the time to teach them these skills before the trip, especially if they don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors.
Your sleeping bag should be able to accommodate a variety of camping conditions. For example, there are lightweight sleeping bag for warm weather and heavy sleeping bags for colder weather. If you plan to pitch a tent, make sure your sleeping bag stays snug against your body, as this prevents your body heat from escaping.
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. Get online with them and show them what poison ivy, poisonous snakes, and other dangers look like. This will help your kids know what to avoid when exploring.
It’s a great idea to bring along beef jerky or trail mix when you go camping. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don’t feel like cooking. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
If you are a novice at camping, don’t stray far from home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. The first time, you should camp at close to home in the event of an emergency.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. Bring extra batteries in case the first one dies. Your phone could be the most important equipment you have in an emergency.
Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
Pack your things carefully and smartly. Write down everything you will need, and cross them off as they are packed. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
It’s imperative that you take along the things you need when you’re going camping. If you forget a few things, your trip may just get ruined. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. Some must have items include a tent, sleeping bags, a couple of tarps, food and water, a knife and fire starting supplies.
Clean your campsite at the end of your stay. You’ll need some trash bags to clean up everything. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. When you leave your campsite, the only thing you should leave are your footprints.
You want to make sure that you don’t end up with drained flashlight batteries when you head out on your camping trip. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. 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.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Bring a lot of ice, and don’t forget to drain your cooler.
When you’re getting a survival kit together for camping, it’s recommended to bring waterproof matches. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. Regular matches can be made waterproof when you dip matches in nail polish or paraffin. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose for your camping trip is right for the time of year and all the weather it brings. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. Winter, on the other hand, requires a heavier sleeping bag that is rated for low temperatures.
When you are putting up your tent, make sure that you find a way to seal all of the seams. If your tent kit did not contain a tube of sealant, it can be found at most sporting stores. This ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
Make sure that your tent is well ventilated and dry. If your tent does not have adequate ventilation, condensation can occur. This will result in you waking up soaking wet. Tents are make with vents or windows that can be opened for cross-ventilation.
Always wear your clothing in layers for camping outings. Weather is very sporadic, as you will want to prepare for the worst. Mornings can be chilly, but the temperature can rise quickly as the day goes on. Late evenings often bring another cold spell. If you wear clothing in layers, you can add more or peel off layers easily as the temperature changes.
Keep old shower curtains, you can use them as disposable tarps to put under your tent when you go camping! A shower curtain can also serve other purposes, including a place to wash your cooking utensils and a place to take quick showers without getting your feet and legs muddy. Don’t throw away a shower curtain; use it for your next camping trip.
Camping has been a common hobby for a long time for people of all ages. The important part of camping is knowledge. With the right knowledge, your camping trip will be designed to create fun for everyone involved. Hopefully, this article has given you that knowledge.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. You need to be able to deal with any accidents that may occur while away. High quality bandages, emergency supplies in case of a snake bite, dressings for a wound, aspirin and anticeptic should all be included in your kit. While camping is generally a safe activity, accidents can occur and it always pays to be prepared.