It doesn’t get much better than lounging around a campfire under the stars surrounded by your friends and family. Camping is a memorable and relaxing pastime. For the most pleasant and safest trip possible, however, it is best to keep some basics in mind. Keep reading to properly prepare for your camping adventure.
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. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Talk about the state you would like to go to. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! If it is the simpler option, try picking a few you favor and letting your whole family vote on them.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Discuss which state you wish to visit. There are various options throughout the United States that it may make it hard to pick only one. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Don’t be afraid of bringing too much if you have kids. Camping is messy. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. This means that by day’s end your children and their clothes can be quite soiled. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. It is important to be prepared.
Be certain that your tent has enough space for both yourself and whoever else comes with you. Being stuffed into a tent can make it almost impossible to get any sleep, and you certainly do not want to be stepping on people if you have to get out during the night.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. Be sure to do thorough research too. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
Go to a class to learn about first aid. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. Be sure to research the area you are visiting. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. When camping, home showers can seem like a luxury. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Make sure to see what the weather forecast is for the town you are camping in. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
A cute way to add fun to meals is to make what is known as a “jungle meal”. Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. It adds some fun to camping.
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 have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. The contents of the kit may change depending on where you camp and who you are with, but it should contain basic supplies. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. The last thing you need is to forget something essential like your tent or sleeping bag. Make sure you check for the items you need, and create a list before leaving to be certain you have everything you want.
Pack things like oranges when you go camping. They are nutritious, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.
Take along some things to entertain yourself and your family. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Are you a new camper with a brand new tent? Before you go out and start on your trip, practice setting up your tent. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
Pack your camping supplies in advance of your trip. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Make a list of the items you need, and double check it before you leave home.
It is extremely important to be properly equipped when you go camping. Not planning properly can ruin a whole trip. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
Duct Tape
Come prepared before you go camping. It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
Did you know that a roll of high-quality duct tape is a great item to take camping with you? It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. Duct tape is useful for patching holes in air mattresses. Use it to enclose a rip in a tent, sleeping bag or weather-proofing tarp you have laid down. If someone’s shoe falls apart while out and about, it can hold shoes together quite nicely. Applied to the foot itself can prevent blisters. It even works as a bandage.
Write down a list of your necessary items before heading out on a camping excursion. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Pack a day or two before going camping, and check off things on your list as you go along.
Be prepared for your next camping adventure by taking precautions on conserving flashlight batteries. It is all too easy to accidentally switch your flashlight on when digging through your bags. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. That way you make sure you don’t accidentally turn them on.
The peel of an orange might save you from mosquito bites on your next camping trip. So, if you forgot to pack your mosquito repellant, do not despair. Experts say that if you rub your body with the inside of the orange peel, it will keep the annoying bugs away. You should be mosquito free for hours.
Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. This is critical if you are going to be covering some ground before getting to the spot where you pitch your tent. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
It is a good idea to have a cell phone that is fully charged in your car or base camp. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. It is still possible to get lost at the camp grounds even though you have already been there, because campsites look similar. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.
Don’t forget to watch your children. Not only can your children get lost, but they may also encounter cars that enter the campsite. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
If you think a campsite right next to the bathrooms is ideal, think again. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. Consequently, campers that pitch their tents near communal campsite bathrooms have neither the convenience nor the comfort that they may have expected.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty of clean clothes for the duration of your trip. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. You should pack at least one pair of durable closed-toed boots.
Always wear your clothing in layers for camping outings. Even if you check the weather ahead of time, weather can change with very little notice. A cold morning can turn into a very hot afternoon. The night can get cold. By dressing in layers of clothing, you can easily shed layers when the temperature rises and then add layers when the temperature drops.
Again, you need to consider a lot of things when planning a camping trip or other outdoor adventure. Remember to use some of the suggestions offered in order to have a safe and enjoyable time camping with your family and friends.
Your tent should be kept dry and well ventilated. If your tent is sealed up, condensation may form on it and the items inside. You might wake up wet if this happens. Make sure that vents are open to provide the ventilation that prevents this build up of moisture. If your tent does not have a vent, crack a door or window open instead.
