Camping is a vacation option that should not be overlooked. Whether for a week or a day, planning must be done. The article below has information that can make your camping trip relaxing, pleasurable and safe.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. Being prepared for this will make sure you don’t stress too much when it occurs. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
Make sure you have a survival kit with you during your entire camping trip. A first aid kit, matches in a water tight container, a good knife, flares and tablet to purify water are some essentials to include. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.
When you purchase a new tent for camping, take it home and completely set the tent up before going on a camping trip. This will let you know that you’re not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will ensure you are able to comfortably move around without disturbing people you are sharing your tent with.
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals. Make your children “hunt” them in the wild; like a great outdoorsman. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. This is an essential item that does not cost a lot of money and can provide a lot of benefits.
Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. The thing people tend to miss most while camping is the convenience of their home shower. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
If you are a camping novice, you should initially stay near home. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don’t like camping. You may not have enough food, or realize that you didn’t pack the right clothing. First-time camping is a learning experience and anything can happen, so find a campground near your home.
Make sure that you bring all of your camping equipment with you before you head out on your trip. You do not want to forget essential items. Use a check list that you can use to double check, to be sure that you have everything before you leave home.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Card games are a fun way to pass the time if the weather does not cooperate. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. This is so you can easily get home if you don’t enjoy your camping experience. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. Take safety precautions, such as wrapping your items in many layers for protection. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
It is important to take even greater care storing food if you are planning to travel to an area with active and dangerous wildlife. This means wrapping things up tightly, keeping them far from your tent, and avoiding some types of food completely. This will help prevent wild animals from being tempted to visit your campsite.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. Packing a sleeping bag is pretty obvious, but take the extra precaution of including extra blankets too. This is useful for nights where the temperature gets too cold or as extra padding when sleeping on hard ground.
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you’re camping. Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. 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.
Do you know how to pitch a tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. When you do this, you’ll know exactly what it takes to get your tent set up in a timely manner. With this practice under your belt, your tent will go up much quicker and have you sheltered before night falls.
Sleeping Bag
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Make sure you bring one for emergencies, especially if you are camping far from home.
Always pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the weather. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
It is important that you have first aid and survival kits on hand when you go camping. Together, these items can be the difference between going home early and rapidly addressing problems that arise. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Rub the white, pithy insides of the orange skin over your skin. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Know how to use a compass and map before you head into the woods. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. Also, this will help to avoid tragedy with friends or family.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. 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!
Seal all of your tent’s seams when erecting your tent. 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.
With any luck, you now have what it takes to properly plan your camping adventure. Whether you are planning an overnight trip or a week long adventure, many of the same items are required. When you start your planning this very day for your next trip, you will camp then appreciating your preparations.
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Include trash bags in your supplies to make cleanup easy. Also, it’s important to take all food with you when you leave too. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.