To protect your safety and have a truly wonderful camping experience, don’t forget that there are some basic tips you should know before you go. This article is filled to the brim with advice that can make any upcoming camping trip successful.
Always pack and carry a survival kit. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. If you don’t take it with you on excursions it will serve you no good.
You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you’re prepared or not. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
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 not only familiarize you with the process, it will allow you to ensure there are no missing pieces or defects. It’s a great way to avoid the frustration of having to set up a tent on site.
If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. It adds some fun to camping.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be a sloppy time. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. As they go about enjoying the natural surroundings, you may find that dirt is added to dirt. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Don’t be caught without something you need!
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Be sure to research beforehand. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
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. This can be something simple like fresh coffee or a favorite candy. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
Make sure to finish setting up camp during daylight hours. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
Duct tape is important to pack because it can be used for a good bit of things. It can help you out if something happens and your tent gets torn somehow. You can fix leaks on inflatable beds, tape up shoes, seal up any bug netting, and a lot more.
Duct Tape
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. From mending tent holes to fixing shoes, duct tape can be used for a lot of repair work in a pinch.
Always have all your gear prepared before the trip. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Use a check list that you can use to double check, to be sure that you have everything before you leave home.
Always take along plenty of food, and be sure it’s the proper kind. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. Food poisoning can quickly put an ugly end to any outdoor vacation. Take all precautions to make sure your food is packed and prepared properly.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
When you bring a canine along on a camping trip, don’t forget his leash and to keep a close eye on him always. Many folks are scared of dogs. You must always respect the needs of others when camping. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Be conscious of where you set up camp. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. Make sure that everyone wears long sleeved clothing if you camp near abundant vegetation, to minimize poison and insect issues. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. Children often complain that they’re bored wherever they go, so bring along as many items as you can think of to keep them entertained.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Surprisingly, orange peels make a great mosquito repellent on outdoor adventures. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Rub the white, pithy insides of the orange skin over your skin. This can last a few hours and make your trip a more comfortable one.
When camping, pack carefully and wisely. A checklist of all supplies can help you be sure that you have everything you need as you are packing. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Find a great location to set up your camper. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. You also might want to have bug repellant nearby.
When camping in the cooler weather, dress in layers. Even if you check the weather ahead of time, weather can change with very little notice. Your day may start out with a chill and then warm up to a hot humid afternoon. Just as quickly, evening can become cold again. The layers will allow you to adapt your attire to the changing weather throughout the day.
A utility knife is one of the most useful camping tools. These pieces of equipment are quite versitile and can get you out of a lot of bad situations.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. Camping trips shouldn’t only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Use your imagination to come up with ideas that each family member will enjoy. This is especially true if you are bringing children or older family members along for the trip.
It makes sense to keep a totally charged cell phone on hand. Also, bring additional batteries in the event of an emergency. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Maintain your tent well ventilated and dry. When a tent is totally sealed, condensation may occur in the sleeping bags, floor, roof, and walls from breathing and sweating. You might find yourself waking up wet. Make sure that vents are open to provide the ventilation that prevents this build up of moisture. If your tent does not have a vent, crack a door or window open instead.
First aid and survival kits are essential to bring while camping. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. You can also prevent serious situations from becoming dire, and allow you to get an injured person to help safely.
If you’re going camping, you absolutely must pack lots of sunscreen. Sun protection is vital wherever you are. Make sure to get a sunscreen with a high SPF and put it on regularly. You might want to choose sunscreen that includes insect repellent. Make sure that you do not put too much chemicals on your body when out in the wilderness, though.
Camping can provide you with the ultimate relaxation, or it can turn your weekend into the worst. Preparation is what makes the difference between the two experiences. If you are well prepared for any possible situation, you are likely to have a great camping experience.
Bring a filter or tablets so you can purify water. You may think that you’ve packed enough water, but in case of an emergency, it is best to pack a few tablets as backup. Try the tablets at home first so you know how to use it and what to expect. The worst thing that could happen is that you become dehydrated, so be sure to plan to prevent this from happening.
A simple and obvious piece of advice is that you should create your shelter when it is still light. It is very hard to set up a tent when it’s dark. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. It is so much easier to set up your shelter before dark.
Take a look through your cookbooks before your camping trip. While hamburgers or hot dogs are easy and fun, they can become boring quickly. You can add variety to it. There are other simple foods that you can prepare while camping. After choosing your recipes, make sure you pack the seasonings and spices that you will need for these dishes.
When you spend time outside, you are going to have a much more fun time if you are prepared. With the information from this article, your next camping expedition will be safer and more enjoyable, since you will be ready to deal with anything you may encounter.
It is important to know fire safety precautions. Learn the proper way to build a fire ring that is safe. Keep a pail or two of water nearby in case you need to douse the fire quickly. Also, never leave a fire burning after you create it at your site.
