Camping is a great way for everyone to get away from the stresses they experience in life. Unfortunately, if you do not prepare properly, your camping trip may not be as enjoyable as you would like. Keep reading to find tips and advice for ensuring that your next camping adventure goes off without a hitch.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. If you take a sub-zero bag camping in the middle of summer, you will probably sweat all night, or even overheat. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. It’s important that you bring extra wood with you that you can keep in a dry area.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. This will also allow you to feel more comfortable about setting up the tent later.
The way you prepare will determine whether your camping trip will be fun or if it will be dangerous. You must make sure you are completely prepared before you go camping. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
Go to a class to learn about first aid. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. Also be sure to do all the research you can about the area. Be aware of poisonous flora and fauna, as well as of what sounds animals make.
To start your fires at camp, use dryer lint as kindling. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
For an exciting twist on the morning meal while camping with your kids, get up early and prepare a “jungle breakfast”. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. Forgetting something important, such as a sleeping bag, is a terrible feeling. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
Buy some camping pillows. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. These types of pillows are prone to taking in the moisture in the air and can even mold if left in wet conditions for too long. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Know what you’re doing when it comes to food safety and take the proper precautions.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. Forgetting your sleeping bag or food is not what you want to happen. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
If this your first time going on a camping trip? Spend time practicing pitching a tent prior to leaving for your trip. This will give you the confidence to pitch your tent at any time. This will also help you be able to accomplish the task quickly and efficiently once you arrive at your campsite, even if it is near dark.
Your children will love to join you on your camping trip, but be sure to plan some fun activities for them. Many of today’s children are not used to downtime away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the quiet outdoors can cause boredom for them. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. To avoid drained batteries, store your flashlights with the batteries backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. You will be less likely to have an attack with these procedures.
Plan what you’re going to wear before setting off on a camping trip. This way you’ll have enough clean clothing for your trip. Pack ample clothing items appropriate to the climate you will be visiting. Make sure to pack a good pair of shoes to hike in as well.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This helps to warm you up in case it gets too cold at night. They are also good to use for extra padding.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. Having insect repellent is a really sound idea.
If this your first time going on a camping trip? If you are not sure how to put your tent up, practice before going on your camping trip. Doing this will make you properly prepared when you get to camp. This will also enable you to do this task quickly if you arrive at the campsite, right before darkness sets in.
Utility Knives
Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! While it’s crucial to plan ahead for things, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Weather conditions may abruptly change for the worse, someone could get sick or injured, along with a number of other possible mishaps. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
Utility knives are great to have when camping. It is even better if you have more than one. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Take some time to think about the appropriate camping clothing ahead of time. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. Be sure to also carry clothing that is weather and climate appropriate on your trip. You should also have a pair of hiking boots or some other type of durable, protective shoe.
Camping can be one of the most relaxing weekends of your life, or it can quickly turn into the trip from hell. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. Utility knives are the most diverse tools you can carry, so be sure to carry an additional one just in case it gets lost.
Make sure that you never go camping without duct tape. Tents are pretty durable, but they still have the tendency to get weathered and torn. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
You can have the relaxing camping trip of your dreams, or you can have the disastrous camping trip of your nightmares. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. If you prepare for different scenarios, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. Your container can be an empty film holder or even a plastic medicine bottle.
Do your packing deliberately and intelligently. Make a list of what you’ll need and check it off as you get things packed. This tip is always important, but especially so if your camping trip will take you to a remote area that does not provide access to food, shelter or emergency supplies.
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 will prevent rainwater or critters from getting into your tent.
It’s important to clean the campsite you used when it’s time to leave. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Do not leave any left over food behind. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If there are no toilets at your campsite, you will need to use the bathroom outside. Using leaves to clean off is not a good idea because there may be some poison ivy mixed in.
If you have wondered if you will like camping or not, you can do a test at home to see if it’s for you. Set up your tent in your back yard and sleep there overnight. Don’t wander back into the house at whim. Make yourself stay outside and live off the land that is your backyard, just as if you were deep in the woods! If you enjoyed your night out in the tent, camping could be for you!
Plan your whole entire trip and add some fun activities for the whole family. There is much more to camping than fires and smores. Instead, plan activities that each member of the family will enjoy. Take your children’s age into consideration when making plans.
Take along lots of beverages and food when you go camping. If your campsite is known to have an abundance of bears, be certain to store all food away from your sleeping area. Build a campfire and burn any left over food or garbage, otherwise bears will smell the food and come to your camp.
Don’t forget the toilet paper and wet wipes. Sure, you may be able to use leaves or something natural, but there’s no reason to torment yourself when you can find toilet paper or baby wipes at most stores.
When you are planning meals for a camping trip, search through old recipes. Camping staples like hot dogs and hamburgers can get old. Try to add some variation to the meals that you create. Look for easy recipes that you can cook outdoors to make your camp meals more interesting. Also, take along the seasonings or spices you enjoy.
For a camping trip that will take a while, bring along entertainment for yourself. Bringing too many electronics defeats the purpose of camping, but some books for reading by the lake or music to listen to by the fire can be great.
Fire safety is an important part of camping. You must learn how to make a fire ring. Do have buckets of water available in case it doesn’t go as planned. Do not leave fire burning unattended, and move quickly to maintain control if embers start to fly.
You can have a great time when camping, as previously advised. However, if you do not plan ahead, you could be endangering those you love. If you want to make sure that your next camping adventure goes smoothly and successfully, then apply all that you have learned within this article. Enjoy yourself!
Bring music and a book if you like, but do not neglect to take in the scenery too. Let yourself get lost in the night sky, or go for a relaxing walk. All your stress will disappear.
