Camping is getting a lot of positive response from people in the media lately, especially in reality-based programming. As a result, this type of vacation is becoming more popular. Read on to learn the right way to create a fun, safe and memorable camping trip.
Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. 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. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. Setting the proper regulations in advance can help to combat this. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Be sure to know the recent conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Be sure you don’t go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. To do this, tie cereal and juice boxes to trees so that your kids have to hunt for their breakfest. When the children awake, tell them that they have to “hunt” to get breakfast. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
Before the sun goes down, make sure that you have your camp completely set up. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Having these luxuries available can help lift your mood.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. Such tape can quickly fix holes in tents, leaking inflatables and worn soles on shoes. It can also be used to seal mosquito netting.
Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. Find a piece of ground that’s flat and dry if you are putting up a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. You will be able to see due to the sunlight and you will have an easier time.
Always become familiar with the potential dangers of a campsite before you enter it. This includes knowing the area’s deadly spiders, what the terrain is like, and whether flash flooding is possible or not. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
Make sure that you bring all of your camping equipment with you before you head out on your trip. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Be sure you double check everything you’re taking and create a checklist prior to taking off so you’re sure everything is there.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
When you are planning a camping trip with children, take some time before you go to talk with them about common camping dangers. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. While it’s crucial to plan ahead for things, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Weather problems, injuries and other unexpected things may occur. The more time you spend preparing for the unforeseen, the better off you will be when it comes to dealing with an emergency later on.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Make it a point to properly prepare your flashlight when you pack for your trip. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Did you just purchase a new tent for your trip? Before you take it on your first trip, practice setting up your tent. This will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, for a more enjoyable trip when you understand your tent. This can help you finish it quickly if you get to the campsite prior to it getting dark.
Watch your children at all times. There are cars that pull in and out of campsites, and of course, young children can quickly and easily get lost in the woods. Something could happen very quickly, so if you keep an eye on your kids, your supervision will help keep them safe.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It is very common for flashlights to be turned on inadvertently when going through camping supplies or while being stored. To make sure your batteries don’t get drained, put the batteries in backwards. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
Sleeping Bag
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Store them in airtight containers. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. 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. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Seal the seams on your tent when you’re putting it up. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. This will stop critters and rainwater from entering your tent.
Don’t take your eyes of children while camping. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
Many people get food poisoning when camping because of improper packing every year. Food poisoning can happen when food is spoiled, which is something you risk when you take food not properly preserved, vacuum sealed or canned. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, plan for what you will wear. Pack plenty of clothes that will last you the length of your trip. Also, make sure you’re taking along clothes that work with whatever the weather will be where you are camping. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
Whenever you select a sleeping bag, ensure that your selection is one that is appropriate for the season. For example, summertime camping calls for a lightweight bag that helps you stay cool. Conversely, you’ll need a heavy bag during cold winter nights to keep you from freezing.
Two essential piece of camping gear are your first aid kit and your survival kit. These essential items can make all the difference between a ruined or shortened trip and being able to handle an unforeseen complication. You can avoid making situations worse, and you can take an injured person for help in a safe way.
Dressing in layers helps when you are camping. It is not uncommon for it to be hot and then cold within an hour in some areas. It may be chilly one moment and sweltering the next. It can turn chilly again in the evenings. By dressing in layers, you can adjust your clothes to the changes in the weather easily.
You should never camp without your first aid kit. Make sure to stock it well for accidents and injuries. High quality bandages, emergency supplies in case of a snake bite, dressings for a wound, aspirin and anticeptic should all be included in your kit. While camping is generally a safe activity, accidents can occur and it always pays to be prepared.
Baby wipes or toilet paper are always welcome for camping. You could use leaves, but there’s no reason to since baby wipes and toilet paper are so much easier on the skin.
Take toilet paper and baby wipes with you. While you could certainly “rough it” and use leaves, there’s not really a good reason to torture yourself when wipes and toilet paper are easily transported.
Always bring entertainment with you on a camping trip, even if you think you won’t need it. Don’t bring a ton of electronics, but a book or music is great.
Depending on the length of your camping trip, you might want to have some way of entertaining yourself or passing the time. 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.
Snake-proof your campsite. Stay away from snake homes like woods, rocks or deep thickets. Check you gear before you put it on to make sure a snake didn’t wander in. Keep all areas of your tent sealed so that snakes cannot get in there when you’re sleeping at night.
You should now understand that some forethought needs to come into play for camping. But you’re now likely feeling a little better prepared to handle the basics. With a grasp of what you can expect, your focus can be on having a great time.
Bring along a few activities that you can do indoors or in your tent. Be ready for bad weather while you’re out in the woods. In the event of rain, you will likely find yourself stuck inside for hours at a time. It can save your trip from being a disaster. Be certain to have lots of activities handy that can be enjoyed inside.
