Camping is a great way to escape from the “real world”. It lets you get out into nature while forgetting about things for a little bit. The article below contains tips to make your next camping trip a great one.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
Make sure your tent is of ample size. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
When camping, bring the sleeping bag that appeals to the season that you are in. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping can be messy. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. You don’t want to interrupt their fun, it’s a joy of camping after all; but, keep some extra clothing with you for them. There is nothing like being prepared!
Review the medical coverage that you have. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Be certain that your tent has enough space for both yourself and whoever else comes with you. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Don’t miss the opportunity to add swimming activities to your next camping trip. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. 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 do some research. Find out what poisonous snakes or dangerous animals live in the area.
Set your campsite, tent and sleeping bags up before it gets dark. Find a safe place to park if you’re in an RV. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. Make sure your food is prepared the right way to avoid the risk of spoilage.
A bandana or handkerchief can be a great addition to your camping equipment. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. Its uses are innumerable, so it is smart to always have one available.
Come prepared for everything when you’re preparing to camp. Sometimes camping trips don’t follow your plan. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
Dryer Lint
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. 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 have kids with you, be sure they each have their own flashlight.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Collect your dryer lint about a month before you go camping. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. Your kindling will be ready for you to grab on the way out the door for your trip.
An orange peel may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re out camping. Thus, if you forget the repellant, but remember the oranges, you’re still in luck! Experts suggest rubbing the inside peel of a ripe orange over the exposed parts of your body. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Duct tape is important to pack because it can be used for a good bit of things. You can use to help seal leaks and rips and hold together important things that break. It can hold your shoes together if they fall apart, and you can even use it in case of emergencies for a temporary bandage or sling.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. 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!
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 is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving your car or campsite. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, make sure you can read a map and a compass. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. This skill can potentially save your life.
Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! This will ensure that your sleeping area is comfortable. Always put down a tarp in order to stop water from getting into your tent.
When you are putting up your tent, make sure that you find a way to seal all of the seams. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. This will prevent rainwater or critters from getting into your tent.
Don’t let your children out of your sight. Kids love to explore in the woods and they can very easily get lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack plenty of ice to keep any perishable foods cold and remember to pull the drain plug in the cooler so the food does not get soaked.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. After a busy day of hiking or other strenuous outdoor activities, you may be too tired to deal with campsite cooking. These snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense, making them a quick and easy source of nourishment. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.
Don’t make the rookie mistake of pitching camp too close to bathroom facilities. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. The bathroom areas are light sources and draw a great deal of traffic. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. Preparation is what makes the difference between the two experiences. By preparing for any eventuality, your trip stands a good chance of being a huge success.
Make sure that you take into consideration all safety precautions while camping. That means to steer clear of large wildlife, and even some of the smaller creatures. Squirrels, raccoons and the like can be quite dangerous, even though they are small. Obviously, stay away from larger animals like bears and never feed them.
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Pack up any leftover food and take it with you. The main rule when you’re leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
First aid kits should be in everyone’s camping arsenal. It should have anything that you might need should an emergency arise. The best way to ensure that you are prepared is to bring along both a first aid kit and a snake bite kit to ensure that you are prepared for any injury. Safety is an important consideration when you are camping, but it is important to be prepared for accidents.
Camping is a very fun activity. Not only can you escape everyday stresses, you can also enjoy the beauty of nature. You’ll have an unforgettable camping trip if you use these tips, so keep them handy.
Toilet paper and baby wipes are two things that every camper will appreciate. If you forget to bring these little essentials, you could wind up using the uncomfortable leaves of nature instead.
