Camping is a great way to bond with your friends and family. Nobody should go without at least trying camping once. However, camping does require know-how and preparation. Continue reading to learn some important advice to keep in mind for camping.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. A bigger tent means easier movement, which can be useful when you have to urinate at night.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. Don’t take a heavy sleeping bag out in the summer, it could make you sweat and be uncomfortable all night long. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
For an exciting twist on the morning meal while camping with your kids, get up early and prepare a “jungle breakfast”. Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. The kids will love it.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Simply use a plastic grocery sack to collect each new crop of lint. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
Be certain to have multiple lanterns or flashlights handy as well as additional batteries. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Duct Tape
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Bags that are light are good for warmer places and a sleeping bag that’s heavier works best when things are colder. You need a sleeping bag that fits snugly and keeps your body heat in if you’re going to sleep outside in a tent.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
Don’t go far from home during your first couple of camping trips. You could run into problems with your gear, or you may decide you simply don’t like camping that much. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Always bring both a first-aid kit as well as a survival kit. These items can help save a life or help keep a harmful situation from going from bad to worse. Carrying these items can help a situation stay safe, rather than turning very harmful or even fatal.
One handy piece of equipment to take with you when you head out on your next camping trip is a roll of duct tape. Just like at home, its uses are nearly endless. You can use this to repair any holes in an air mattress. It can repair a rip in a sleeping bag, tarp or tent. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can use duct tape for almost anything.
Pack carefully and efficiently. Have a checklist on hand and cross your items off the list as you add them to your pack. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
Is this the first time you are camping? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This will help you to be prepared with the right equipment and skills to pitch your tent with ease. This can help you finish it quickly if you get to the campsite prior to it getting dark.
When preparing your survival kit for your camping trip, pack some waterproof matches. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. You can make regular matches waterproof by dipping them into either paraffin or nail polish. You can store them in a prescription bottle or film canister.
Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare batteries when you go camping. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. If you have a flashlight or lamp you can avoid injury, such as getting poked in the eye by a branch. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. Summer requires only a lightweight sleeping bag. During the winter, however, a thick sleeping bag will trap your body heat and ensure that you don’t freeze.
Trail mix and jerky are great snacks for a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These snacks should preserve for a good while, so there’s no wasting involved if they aren’t eaten.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. While it may be convenient, it can also be annoying. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
Pack strategically. Prepare a list of supplies, and use this to check off items as they are packed. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
What is your plan for cooking during your camping trip? Before leaving, you will want to know what cooking method will be used so the proper supplies can be packed. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. You will need to make a fire or have flashlight to do this. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
A well ventilated and dry tent is a lot more comfortable. If your tent is sealed up, condensation may form on it and the items inside. Too much condensation can lead to you waking up soaked with water. You want to check your tent before you sleep to see if there are any cracks or holes.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. If tent sealer was not provided with the tent, you can purchase some at a sporting goods store. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
If you want to go camping but haven’t ever done that, there is something you can do quickly to get an idea of whether you will like it. Set up your tent in your backyard and camp out for a night. Stay out of the house. If you like this, you might enjoy camping.
Your tent should be dry and well ventilated. If your tent does not have adequate ventilation, condensation can occur. You may even wake up wet. Find a tent with a built-in vent to reduce the moisture in your sleeping area.
When the camping trip will be longer, pack activities to entertain during downtime. Of course, bringing along too many things like electronics can make it pointless to be camping, but it is very enjoyable to read a book or to listen to music at times when camping.
If you want to go camping but haven’t ever done that, there is something you can do quickly to get an idea of whether you will like it. Set up a tent in your backyard, and do a campout back there. Don’t go back inside the house for any creature comforts. If you like this, you might enjoy camping.
Sunscreen is very important to use for skin protection while camping. Sun protection is vital wherever you are. Choose a sunscreen that will provide plenty of protection given your location and skin type. If possible, you may wish to purchase a sunscreen which provides additional protection against biting bugs. After all, you do not want to have to put too many different lotions and potions on your skin while you are trying to enjoy your camping trip.
Baby Wipes
Set up your campsite before the sun sets. If you notice the sun going down, it may be dark before you’re done setting up your tent. Even if you aren’t putting a tent up, it’s easier to make your shelter while there is light out.
One tip that people should follow when they’re camping is to bring toilet paper or baby wipes with them. You could always rough it by using leaves and other natural items, but it’s unnecessary when you can have baby wipes and toilet paper easily accessible at a local store.
Bring some activities with you that can be done indoors. Bad weather may show up when you’re out camping. In the event of rain, you will likely find yourself stuck inside for hours at a time. That doesn’t have to ruin the trip. With the right activities, you can still enjoy your trip inside your tent, RV, or cabin.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, camping can be lots of fun, but it requires quite a bit of knowledge and preparation. Take what you have learned here and apply it the next time you go camping. By using these tips, you can have a fun trip, for sure.
Consult some cookbooks before you head out on a camping trip. Just eating hot dogs and burgers can get really boring. Try to mix up what you eat. There are other simple foods that you can prepare while camping. Seasonings and spices are important to use on your trip, so remember to pack them, too.
