Camping has become extremely popular, thanks in part to it being featured on reality television. If you are one of the many who enjoys good outdoor fun, read on in the article below for a memorable experience!
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t burn. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can return to being clean and civilized when you’re at home.
Make sure you know what’s covered in your medical insurance. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. This can be especially important if you leave the country on your trip, such as camping across the border in Canada. It is important to always be prepared.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. Also be sure to do all the research you can about the area. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. When you go camping, you can miss out on things like showers. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. The coolness of water while swimming is refreshing on hot days, and it helps you to clean yourself. You might not miss the shower after all!
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. The morning of your departure, all you need to do is grab the bag and depart, kindling sorted!
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Bring duct tape with you since it can help you in many situations. It can help you out if something happens and your tent gets torn somehow. You can fix leaks on inflatable beds, tape up shoes, seal up any bug netting, and a lot more.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. When adventuring in an RV, be safely parked before dark. If you have a tent, carefully select the plot of land you are going to use. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
Ensure that you pack everything that you will need before leaving for a camping trip. It would be horrible to forget something important like the tent or camp mat. Double check the items you want to take and make a check list before you leave to make sure that you bring everything with you.
When you go camping, you live on basics, but you need to be prepared too. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
Don’t go far from home during your first couple of camping trips. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don’t like camping. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
Always be prepared when on a camping trip. There is always the potential that something unexpected may happen even with the most careful planning. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. Do not be careless, because this can get in the way of you having fun.
Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! If you select a bumpy or slanted area, you will have an uncomfortable experience in your tent. Also remember to put down a tarp underneath your tent as an extra layer of protection from water.
If you put some thought in ahead of time, you will not have to worry about drained batteries in your flashlight while you are at a camp out. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. That way you make sure you don’t accidentally turn them on.
Always watch your kids closely. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It doesn’t take much time for something to occur, so be sure your kids are properly supervised.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. This is especially crucial if the campgrounds are in a remote location. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty of clean clothes for the duration of your trip. Pack ample clothing items appropriate to the climate you will be visiting. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential footwear for any camping trip.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. Closed toe shoes and hiking boots are generally needed for camping.
Two essential piece of camping gear are your first aid kit and your survival kit. These two things will make the difference between ending your trip early and taking care of many situations quickly and easily. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. If they go missing, you can show people the photo to help find them quickly. This is particularly useful if you will be camping somewhere far from where you live.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Write down everything you will need, and cross them off as they are packed. That is essential if you are going far away to a remote site and unable to get first aid items and other necessary things.
A utility knife can serve you well on your camping trip. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
After your trip, be certain you leave the campsite cleaner than it was when you found it. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. A good rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
You next camping trip can turn out to be a weekend full of relaxation or it can be a nightmare. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. Because of that, they aren’t really as convenient as one might think.
Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Dispose of any left over food as well as your trash. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
Food safety is very important while you are camping. If you bring food, pack them in waterproof containers and airtight re-sealable plastic bags. Any perishable food should be stored in insulated coolers. Do not store cooked and raw foods together to avoid contamination. Wash your hands and any surfaces when preparing food. Cook all food to safe temperatures, and chill foods as soon as they cool down.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Baby Wipes
As silly as it may seem, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you camp somewhere without restrooms, you are going to have to go in the woods. Using leaves to wipe could open yourself to mistakenly wiping with poison ivy, so be sure you remember the toilet paper.
You should bring toilet paper and baby wipes on every camping trip. Although you can tough it out and use leaves, you can make it easier on yourself and buy bathroom tissue or baby wipes at the local store.
Make food safety a priority when you set off camping. Store all food in airtight and waterproof containers. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Keep cooked food separate from raw food to prevent contamination. Wash your hands and any surfaces when preparing food. Cook all of your food to the right temperature and get them chilled quickly.
You can tell that there are many things to consider when you go camping. However, you are now likely well prepared to deal with the simple situations that pop up. With a grasp of what you can expect, your focus can be on having a great time.
Camping supplies should include a lot of food, water and other drinks. It’s also important to find out if their are bear-proof garbage cans in the area, or that you learn how to hang your food in trees if there are bears near your camping location. Build a campfire and burn any left over food or garbage, otherwise bears will smell the food and come to your camp.
