Many people have a negative view of camping. While this may be true for some people, it’s not true for everyone. If you plan well, it is possible to have fun, eat well and keep bugs away. Keep on reading to gain knowledge of how you can enhance your next trip.
Allow everyone who is going on the trip to have a say about the campsite. Talk about where you want to camp. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote.
Remember that your loved ones and possessions will get filthy. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! When you’re home, you can be normal again.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Research the place that you are traveling to, which will help you to understand the climate and geography.
Carry a survival kit on your person. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Never let it leave your side.
Examine your medical insurance policy. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Double-check any medical insurance. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
Take along a bandanna or a small towel. Not only can it keep the hair out of your eyes, it can also be a sack to carry things, a towel to dry your hands or a potholder to grab your coffee pot from the fire. This is an essential item that does not cost a lot of money and can provide a lot of benefits.
No matter how rough and tough your camping plans, bring along a small bit of luxury to add an elegant touch to your camping trip. Try bringing something portable and lightweight, like a candy bar or some cream for your coffee. Small luxuries can make things more enjoyable!
Even in a remote site where you plan on roughing it, you can enhance your camping trip with a small piece of luxury. Your favorite candy bar or some prepackaged creamers for your morning coffee are light and simple to bring along. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. Perhaps you realize that you’ve run out of food or haven’t packed enough clothing. First-time camping is a learning experience and anything can happen, so find a campground near your home.
Set your campsite, tent and sleeping bags up before it gets dark. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. You will be able to see the area better before nightfall and become familiar with it. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
If you bring your dog with you on your trip, make sure they are on a leash and that you watch them carefully. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. It is important that you respect others while you are camping. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.
Kids love camping, but you need to plan out activities for them to do on the trip. If you are deep in the woods, away from everything, they may get bored. Children may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. Take the time to demonstrate the activities prior to leaving, especially if they’ve never really lived outdoors.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. If your kids are along on your camping trip, include as many entertainment items as possible.
Have you just bought your first tent and want to begin camping? Before going on the trip, set up the tent at home. This way, you will know the things you need to put your tent up. Practicing how to pitch a tent will also ensure you can quickly set up your tent when you arrive at your campsite.
Duct Tape
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Unfortunately, forgetting one or two key items can ruin your trip. You might want to create a checklist of things you need to bring. 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.
Don’t forget the duct tape. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money. Duct tape can be used to repair anything. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. If you plan to take a long hike, be sure to place some on feet to avoid developing blisters. In a pinch, you can also bandage an injury with it.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack in advance to avoid the stresses of packing before your trip.
Are you just starting with camping and want to know what to do to make it enjoyable? It’s vital to learn all that you can before you leave about your tent. By doing so, you will know that the equipment is all included, and you will be familiar with the process of pitching it. This can help you finish it quickly if you get to the campsite prior to it getting dark.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. A few things that you probably should pack include a sleeping bag, tent, knife, food, soap, and plenty of water.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you’re camping. While it is vital to come up with a plan, sometimes things happen that were not in your plans. Weather conditions can turn on a dime, your surroundings can change suddenly and injuries can occur at any time. 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.
It is advisable to bring beef jerky or trail mix with you on a camping trip. When the day ends, you may feel so tired you aren’t in the mood for cooking. Nutrient-rich treats like beef jerky and trail mix will help satisfy your hunger. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
This information has helped you see that camping can be enjoyable and successful. Apply what you’ve learned here to your next camping trip. You will avoid the pitfalls and get the most enjoyment out of the experience.
Camping can be a great way to relax for a weekend, or it can turn into a hellish experience. Whether it goes well or not is usually determined by how prepared you are. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
