Nothing compares to the fun and adventure that can be had on a camping trip with family and friends. Everyone should try it when they are given the opportunity. Camping isn’t a fool’s sport and it requires a bit of knowledge regarding your surrounding environment. Check out the insights in this article to prepare you for a great camping trip.
Look for where you’re going to set up your shelter before darkness falls. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Discuss which state you wish to visit. There are many sites in the country to visit that are nearby and are very beneficial. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
Make sure you have a survival kit with you during your entire camping trip. Don’t forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Always carry it on your person when you venture away from your campsite, or it won’t do you much good.
Pack a survival kit and carry it on you at all times. A survival kit should consist of matches, first aid necessities a flare gun and a knife. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
Review the medical coverage that you have. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you’ll have to get an additional policy to cover you. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Always be prepared.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. It’s a great way to add a little magic to the camping experience.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer’s filter. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. You can just go about your business after that.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If you are taking children camping, you might want to bring more activities than you think you are going to need.
Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. If you want to end your trip, you will be close to home. It could be that you didn’t pack enough food or your clothing is not warm enough. All sorts of things can happy the first time you go camping. It’s better for mishaps to occur close to home.
Don’t let your kids out of your sight. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.

Always pack enough food and the right kind. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. Food poisoning is a great way to make a good trip go bad. Take the proper steps to prepare your food and do research if necessary.
Charge your cellular phone to maximum capacity before you leave on your trip. Also, bring additional batteries in the event of an emergency. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. Not planning properly can ruin a whole trip. You might want to create a checklist of things you need to bring. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
It’s vital to pack first aid and survival kits. These two things will make the difference between ending your trip early and taking care of many situations quickly and easily. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
When you are at your campsite, pitch your tent on the softest and most level ground you are able to find. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
Pack strategically. Prepare a list of supplies, and use this to check off items as they are packed. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
Plan ahead and make sure your flashlight batteries have full power before you leave for a camping trip. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
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 also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. Your container can be an empty film holder or even a plastic medicine bottle.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, plan for what you will wear. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. Also, check the weather so that you can dress accordingly. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. A basic camping rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Camping is a very enjoyable way to spend your time. However, it is crucial that you are educated on the topic. Use these tips to prepare for your next outing. By using these tips, you can have a fun trip, for sure.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. When food is not properly preserved, it can increase the risk of becoming spoiled and make you sick. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.