If you’ve never been camping, you don’t know what you’re missing. Mother Nature has a way of relaxing even the most stressed soul. Everyone was a little hesitant of their first camping experience, but this article should help calm some of those fears.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. A bag that is intended for winter conditions will surely cause you to overheat when you are trying to sleep in summer weather. On the other hand, bringing a lightweight sleeping bap for a winter trip can make you really uncomfortable the entire trip. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
Sleeping Bag
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. Bringing your own small supply of wood and keeping it dry is a wise decision.
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. Being prepared for this will make sure you don’t stress too much when it occurs. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
You will get dirty. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Then, you can be as messy as you want, without worry of getting dirty. You can get clean when you return home.
Examine your medical insurance policy. If you go to another state, you may have to have another policy. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
When you’re getting a brand new tent for your camping trip, take it out and set it up at home before you go camping. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. In addition, it will eradicate a portion of the frustration often associated with erecting a new tent.
It’s not totally necessary to rough it during your entire trip. You can bring along something comforting from home for your trip. Take something that is lightweight, like a chocolate bar or coffee creamer. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping can be messy. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. As the day goes on, your kids will get messier and messier. While you can’t do much to prevent that, you can at least provide clean clothing, so long as you brought extra. Prepare thoroughly!
Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Verify all the things that you need or should take and write out a list of all of them. Then, check your final packing according to the list to be sure.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you’re prepared or not. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. When you go to a new campground in a far away location, make sure you know about the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
While kids love camping, they need to have activities planned for them. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Teach them these things ahead of time to ensure a great trip.
Check over your medical insurance before going on a camping trip. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees. Then when your kids get up, let them search for their food. This makes the trip even more magical for kids.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. 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 staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
Remember to bring along wilderness-friendly activities. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
Make a plan as to what you’ll wear. Take extra pairs of clothes to last you throughout your whole trip. It’s imperative that you have clothing on hand that is right for the weather in the location you will be camping in. Shoes that are durable enough to handle rough terrain should be worn at all times.
Anytime you are camping in a location that features hazardous animals, you must take extra care in terms of food storage. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. This can prevent an attack.
Charge your cellular phone to maximum capacity before you leave on your trip. The best thing to do is bring some backup batteries. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for it. Bring creature comforts like a sleeping bag, extra blankets and even an air mattress. These can be used for additional padding or for extra warmth on a chilly night.
Keep safety at the front of your mind. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Small animals such as squirrels and possums can prove more menacing than their diminutive sizes suggest. And, unless you’re in Jellystone Park, don’t feed any bears!
Keep an eye on your children when you go camping. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. Make sure your children are always supervised because mishaps can happen quickly.
Make sure to practice food safety whenever you go camping. Store all food in airtight and waterproof containers. Food should also be stored in an insulated cooler. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping cooked and raw foods far apart. Using hand sanitizer or soap, keep hands and prep surfaces clean when dealing with food. Always cook and store foods at the proper temperatures.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. In the case that a child goes missing, having their photo at hand could be of great use. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
When camping in the fall, try to dress in layers for your protection. Outdoors, the weather can change frequently and quickly. Your day may start out with a chill and then warm up to a hot humid afternoon. Also, as soon as night time begins to fall, temperatures can plummet. Layers of clothes will reduce the impact of the cold on your body.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. You don’t want to overlook something like a snake hole, take a little precaution. When near vegetation, long sleeves shirts and long pants will keep insects from getting on your skin. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
If you have never been camping in the forest before and are thinking about doing so, this is a fast way to find out whether or not camping is for you. Just set your tent up right in your backyard and spend a night outside. Do not let yourself enter the house at all. If you have fun, camping is probably for you.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. To avoid a potential tragedy, carry a map and compass with you.
Always bring along your first aid kit. You need to be able to deal with any accidents that may occur while away. These bandages and aspirin can help improve the quality of your trip when included with your first aid supplies. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.
When erecting your tent, ensure that you are able to seal all seams. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. This will prevent rain or little critters from getting inside.
Snake proof your campsite if snakes live where you are camping. Pick your site away from deep brush and piles of wood or rocks. Look through your gear and equipment to make sure nothing is hiding anywhere. Check that your tent is properly sealed, and build up the edges with dirt or sand to prevent snakes from crawling under.
With advice in hand, it’s time to start planning your adventure! Remember what you have learned here, and you will become a master camper. This is the best way to ensure your experience is a fun adventure that you want to repeat over and over again.
When you are planning meals for a camping trip, search through old recipes. Eating hamburgers and hot dogs can get tiresome quickly when camping. Try something new. Look for easy recipes you can make outside in order to have a more interesting menu. Don’t forget, then, to also pack up any needed spices and seasonings.
