Leaving civilization behind for a camping adventure can be daring and fun, but you need careful preparations if you want to stay safe. Use the advice here to help your next trip go off without a hitch.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. You may even risk hypothermia.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. 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.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Discuss which state you wish to visit. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Learn to set up your tent prior to leaving on your trip. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Oranges can be used for insect repellent. 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!
Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
Be certain you have everything you will need before embarking on your adventure. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Check and double check your packing list and make certain that every item has been included.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. 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.
Don’t forget to pack up some duct tape when you’re camping because it’s very versatile. It can fix so many different things, holes, leaks and just about anything else that arises.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. You may run out of supplies early. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. It is very important to make sure the food you bring will not spoil during your trip. It could end up causing food poisoning and quickly end your trip. Cook and store your food properly during the trip to avoid food poisoning.
Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. If you get sick on your outing because of the food, that will put a damper on things. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. Taking these precautions can significantly lower you chances of being attacked.
It’s imperative that you take along the things you need when you’re going camping. Unfortunately, forgetting one or two key items can ruin your trip. Write a list of essentials and as you pack the items, cross them off. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. Blankets make good padding and can help you stay warm if it’s colder than you expect at night.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. You will need an adequate supply of clean clothes to last the entirety of your trip. Also, be sure that you carry articles of clothing that are appropriate for the weather and climate of your camping location. You should pack at least one pair of durable closed-toed boots.
A checklist is essential before embarking on any camping journey. This is imperative when there is travel involved during your camping trip. Start packing a few days ahead of your trip, and tick items off as you pack them.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. If you lose them at some point, a picture will be very helpful to local authorities. A picture should be carried anytime you are away from home, but even more importantly when camping in the woods.
Flashlights, lanterns and a few extra batteries must be taken for every camping trip. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. If you’re taking kids along with you, give each one of them a flashlight.
Find a great location to set up your camper. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. Also, carry insect repellent.
Sleeping Bag
A utility knife is one of the most useful camping tools. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. If you are camping in a colder climate, purchase a heavyweight sleeping bag; people who camp in warm weather should use a lightweight sleeping bag. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
It is a good idea to have a cell phone that is fully charged in your car or base camp. Even better, try bring along some spare batteries in case your phone’s battery runs out. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Don’t let your kids out of your sight. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
Don’t forget to bring first aid and survival kits. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short. You can avoid making situations worse, and you can take an injured person for help in a safe way.
Trail Mix
One easy tip to keep in mind is that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. 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. It’s much easier to arrive early enough to get set up before sundown.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
Safety comes first when camping. Stay away from larger animals, and be cautious even around smaller ones. Even the smallest creature can be surprisingly dangerous. One thing you should never do is feed a bear if you see one, even though you probably would be too scared to approach one!
It is wise to leave a cell phone fully charged somewhere where you can reach it. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.
You can use a shower curtain in place of a tarp under your tent. It could also be used as a base for a cooking or washing area, where you can easily control all the run-off. So, instead of tossing your shower curtain into the garbage, just clean it and use it for the next camping trip.
While it may seem silly, make sure that you pack some toilet paper before you go camping. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. It is not advisable to use leaves, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
Take toilet paper and baby wipes with you. Sure you could rough it and use the leaves as nature intended but why put yourself through that torment when toilet paper and baby wipes are readily available at your local store.
Keep the tent well ventilated and dry. If your tent is sealed tightly, it will create condensation on not only the tent, but also on items in the tent. You’ll wake up wet. To avoid moisture build up in your tent, open the door or window in your tent.
Always bring lots of sunscreen. Sun protection is important! Seek out a sunscreen that has sufficient SPF protection. Your ideal sunscreen will also contain a bug repellent. You don’t want to slather yourself with too many chemicals while you are camping.
Camping is an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors. Using everything that you got from this article will help you know what it takes to be good at camping.
Take drinks, food and water with you 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. If it is safe to do so, burn garbage so that bears do not follow the smell of food to your campsite.
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