Is nature calling to you? With that said, there is a lot that you can do to prepare yourself properly so that you have the best experience possible. The tips that you will find in the next few paragraphs will help make your next camping outing the best one ever.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return 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. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
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. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
It is important to remember that getting dirty is inevitable. If you are prepared for this situation, you will find that when it occurs, you will be less stressed. Use your time in nature to enjoy the chance to be a little messy. After all, you can be normal at home.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. Have a bag next to the dryer so you don’t forget to collect it. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. This kit may keep you alive if you are lost and these items are indispensable for a survival situation. Never let it leave your side.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. You want to bring a kit for any situation that might arise during your camping trip. Antivenom is another important component to bring with you, depending on the area where you visit.
Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. Armed with the forecast, you can prepare yourself with appropriate clothing and camping gear.
When taking a dog along, be certain they have a leash and are always supervised. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. You must respect other campers. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. Go on the Internet together and read about safety, look at poison ivy pictures and poisonous animals.
If you’re going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you’re very careful about your food. These precautions include tightly wrapping your foods and storing them away from your tent. You also have to just forgo certain foods entirely. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.
Make sure you pack enough of the right kinds of food for camping. Depending on the amount of time you will be out, it is important to have food that will not spoil while you are out. It could end up causing food poisoning and quickly end your trip. Prepare all of the food you will take with your properly and find out what sort of precautions you should take.
Make a list of your required camping gear and double check it while packing. Overlooking even a small thing can ruin an entire trip. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. Don’t forget sleeping bags, water, utility knives, anti-bacterial soap and sanitizer, fire starters and a sturdy tent.
Are you the proud owner of your first tent and a beginner at the art of camping? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. This will ensure that you understand how the tent is to be set up and taken down. This will also help you be able to accomplish the task quickly and efficiently once you arrive at your campsite, even if it is near dark.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Also, use a tarp under your tent to keep water out and prevent damage.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. Unfortunately, forgetting one or two key items can ruin your trip. Take the time to create a list that can be checked off while you pack. Some things you should bring include your tent, sleeping bag, tarp, lots of water, a utility knife, already-made food, soap or hand sanitizer and items to start a fire.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. If you are staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. This is particularly useful if you will be camping somewhere far from where you live.
Use an orange to help prevent bug bites. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Beef jerky and trail mix are two camping staples you should always bring with you. Nutrient filled snacks can replace the need to cook if you don’t have the means or the energy. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next camping trip if they don’t get eaten this time.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. Clothing that is appropriate for the climate in which you will be camping should also be carried. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
It’s a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. The best thing to do is bring some backup batteries. A mobile phone is an important part of camping safety these days, and you want it to be ready to go when you need it.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. Pitching a tent can be difficult enough in the daylight, let alone in the dark of night. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It is so much easier to erect your tent and organize your camping area before sunset.
Do your packing deliberately and intelligently. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. If you are planning to camp in an area away from first aid access, then this will be especially necessary.
Duct Tape
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. Learning how to actually use certain items will help you avoid getting lost.
Duct tape is handy to bring along on your camping trip. Tents are usually more durable than they used to be, but they can still get torn. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
As silly as it may seem, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you are going camping in a place that has no toilets, it will be necessary for you to use the bathroom outside. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. Even if this isn’t your first time at the site, it’s easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. To steer clear of calamities, learning the right way to use such lifesaving tools is key.
Collect dryer lint for your next camping trip. As silly as it sounds, lint makes a great starter for a campfire. Lint creates brighter flames than those kindled from twigs or wood chips. Just a spark on the lint will do the trick!
While creating a survival kit, include waterproof matches. Store them in airtight containers. You could also make your own by coating them with nail polish before you leave for your trip. Your container can be an empty film holder or even a plastic medicine bottle.
If you are camping along a stream or river, always set up your bathroom area downstream. This way, the water will not be contaminated by your refuse. Make sure you relieve yourself a minimum of 100 yards from your campsite.
Camping is something that is truly enjoyable. But to plan the best camping trip, you should do some research first. Keep what you have learned above close to you when you’re preparing to camp, and you’ll be prepared to have a fun time.
If you camp in an area that hosts snakes, snake-proof your campsite. Stay away from rocks, bushy areas and stacks of wood. Boots, clothing and bags should be checked to make sure that a snake has not found its way into them. Keep all areas of your tent sealed so that snakes cannot get in there when you’re sleeping at night.
