Most people use camping as a way to escape daily life and stress. But remember, proper preparation is the key to making sure your trip goes as planned. The following advice will help you make sure your camping adventure is enjoyable.
It is important to keep in mind the fact that your person and all of your possessions will get dirty during a camping trip. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. When you return home, make sure to stay as organized as possible.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand then you won’t be so stressed out when things start to get dirtier. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. There’s plenty of time for showers and being super clean once you’re home again.
When buying a tent, be sure that it’s large enough to accommodate you and any guests you have. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Pack a survival kit and carry it on you at all times. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
It is always a smart idea to look into what the weather is going to be like, before going camping. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. You are probably going to miss the shower you have at home while camping. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. You might long for a good shower when you are camping. When swimming, you will feel refreshed and cleaner. If you use some biodegradable soap, you can get just as clean as you would at home.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. It is these simple luxuries that can lift your mood.
Camping Pillows
Plan your first camping trip close to home. You could run into problems with your gear, or you may decide you simply don’t like camping that much. Other problems can be food shortage or inadequate clothing. First-time camping is a learning experience and anything can happen, so find a campground near your home.
Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
Are you new to camping and now have a brand new tent in your possession? Spend time practicing pitching a tent prior to leaving for your trip. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
Camping is a very kid-friendly activity, but you should keep kids busy by planning activities. Far from civilization, kids tend to get bored. They may never have had a chance to set up a tent or catch a fish. This a great way for them to experience the great outdoors.
It’s imperative that you take along the things you need when you’re going camping. If you forget a key item, it can destroy the vacation. Making a list and checking things off is a good way to remember everything. You will want to include everything you need, no matter how big or small, to ensure that you have what you need while you are away from home.
Talk to your kids about common dangers before taking them on a camping trip. 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.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.
Duct tape is a handy tool that will prove useful on any camping trip. It is as convenient for repairs while you are camping as it is at home. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. When walking for a long time, it can also help avoid blisters. It can also work as a bandage.
Choose a proper sleeping bag for your camping conditions. 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. You must have a bag that surrounds the body closely so that body heat can be retained.
Prepare for your camping trip thoroughly. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. There are many things that can go wrong, including illness, injury or extreme weather conditions. Try not to take unnecessary risks that can yield injury or illness.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. By nightfall, you may be too exhausted to prepare a campfire and cook, and having the quick, nutritious foods will really come in handy. Trail mix and beef jerky are non-perishable foods, so they will keep for very long periods of time; you can even bring them home with you if you do not eat them at the campsite.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven. Always put a tarp down on the ground first so that water can’t get in and ruin the tent.
Make sure that you pack strategically and efficiently when you go on a camping trip. Keep a checklist of the things you need and check them off as you collect and pack them. This tip is always important, but especially so if your camping trip will take you to a remote area that does not provide access to food, shelter or emergency supplies.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.
When going camping, bring some duct tape with you. Tents can get torn and they are hard to fix without having the right material. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.
Orange peels may protect you from mosquitoes. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Experts say that if you rub your body with the inside of the orange peel, it will keep the annoying bugs away. This can keep mosquitoes at bay for a number of hours.
Clean your campsite when you finish camping. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Make sure you pick up any food that you have as leftovers too. A golden rule for departing a campsite: leave only your footprints behind.
If you go out camping with kids, have a photo of them on hand. If you lose them at some point, a picture will be very helpful to local authorities. Bring one to use for emergencies, particularly if you are a long way from home.
Many people get food poisoning when camping because of improper packing every year. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Pack an adequate supply of ice for keeping perishable foods nice and cold and be sure to drain your cooler’s plug so the food doesn’t get soaked.
Don’t forget to bring first aid and survival kits. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Duct Tape
If you think a campsite right next to the bathrooms is ideal, think again. While this might be convenient, you’ll soon find out differently. The bathroom areas are light sources and draw a great deal of traffic. This can lead to difficulty sleeping and other discomforts that you want to avoid.
When going camping, bring some duct tape with you. Tents may be durable, but eventually they can rip. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.
The best way to dress when you are camping is in layers. Weather in the outdoors can change very quickly. Mornings can be chilly, but the temperature can rise quickly as the day goes on. Then it can cool back down at night. It is best to bring all types of clothing so that no matter what the weather is, you will be prepared.
Don’t forget waterproof matches in a camping survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. Provide your own caddy for the matches by storing them in a plastic medicine bottle or 35mm film container.
You should have a method for purifying your water on hand when you camp, including a few purifying tablets. These tablets will turn any water into potable drinking water. Moreover, you should experiment with the tablets at home so you know what to expect when using them in the wilderness. It would be bad if you were to dislike the taste and end up dehydrated during your trip.
It is important in tent building to close any and all seams on the tent. If sealant was not included in your tent, visit your local sporting goods store to purchase some. Sealant keeps both insects and rain out of your tent.
Take along a lot of drinks, water and food when you decide to go on a camping trip. If bears are known to live in the area, be sure to stow your food a good distance away from where you are sleeping. Burn your garbage so the food smells don’t attract any bears.
As previously mentioned, camping can be pretty fun. However, if you do not plan ahead, you could be endangering those you love. You should use some of the tips featured above in order to make sure that your next camping adventure is a success. Most important of all, make sure you have a great time.
When camping near running water, take care of any private business downstream from your camp. This will avoid any contamination of the water near your camp site. It’s a good idea to stay a good 100 yards or so from the campsite for things of this nature; just as a common courtesy.
