Camping is a pastime that has long been known to be a favorite of many families. Yet, many never try it because it sounds so hard to do. With the proper advice, it doesn’t need to be. If you want to know what it takes to have a successful camping trip, you should read the article that you can find below.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. You may even develop hypothermia.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Only go camping when you have prepared yourself for it. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Talk about where you want to camp. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. You may miss the shower at your home 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.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Try using dryer lint to help you start your campfire. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. By doing this, you’ll be able to collect the kindling on the day you’re taking the trip.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. Rubbing orange peels on your body will function as a perfect insect repellent.
Don’t forget to pack up some duct tape when you’re camping because it’s very versatile. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.
When planning for a camping adventure with kids, be sure to speak to them about camping dangers. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
When taking a dog along, be certain they have a leash and are always supervised. Some people get frightened by dogs. You must consider them when you are camping, too. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, or another person’s if they aren’t being watched.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Is this the first time you are camping? Before you head into the wilderness, take some time to learn about your tent and pitch it. This will give you the confidence to pitch your tent at any time. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Duct tape is very useful camping, the same as it is at home. It can be used as a quick patch in the case of a punctured air mattress. You can close up rips and tears, and bundle things together. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can also use it to bandage injuries.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. It is important to plan, but sometimes unexpected things happen. Also, be aware that the weather can be very unpredictable. You need to pay attention to what you’re doing, avoid unnecessarily risky behavior, and think before you act whether you are in a crisis or a normal camping situation.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. Flashlights will be essential at night. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. When near vegetation, long sleeves shirts and long pants will keep insects from getting on your skin. You should also have insect repellent.
Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.
Camping Trip
You next camping trip can turn out to be a weekend full of relaxation or it can be a nightmare. Preparation is the difference between the two. If you know how to prepare for everything that may pop up, you’ll be able to better enjoy your trip.
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. 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.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. It is much more difficult to pitch your tent after dark. You need to make a fire or use a flashlight. It’s much easier to pitch your tent while it’s light out.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Choose a sleeping bag that is made for the time of year you will be camping. If it’s summer time, look for the lightest weight bag you can find, to keep extra cool. Conversely, during the winter you need to choose a heavy bag.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. The distinction often boils down to your level of preparation. By being prepared for various situations, you’ll most likely have fun on your trip.
Be safe with food when you go camping. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Keep food contamination low by separating raw and cooked foods. Handle food with clean hands, whether you bring sanitizer with you or soap. Cook foods to proper temperatures and chill foods quickly.
Duct Tape
Dress in layers on your camping trip. Outdoors, the weather can change frequently and quickly. Even if it is chilling in the morning, it may end up steaming hot in the afternoon. It can turn chilly again in the evenings. Make sure to layer your clothing so you are prepared for anything.
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. A piece of durable duct tape can keep you dry at night, even if your tent was damaged by accident.
If you are planning a long camping trip, bring along plenty of entertainment. Then again, packing a lot of electronics goes against the idea of unplugging and enjoying nature. Having said that, reading by a body of natural water or chilling to music by the fire in the evening are both really sweet experiences.
Know how to use a compass and map before you head into the woods. Although the camp site may be a familiar one, there may have been changes since your last visit and you could still get lost. You can avoid a possible disaster by becoming knowledgeable about using these items that can save your life.
Bring some means of cleaning water, like tablets, if you are camping. Even if you pack what should be enough water or plan on boiling water you collect, you might run out of time or need more than you think. 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.
Food poisoning is a common ailment while camping. Food that has not been preserved, vacuum sealed or canned can spoil and give you food poisoning. Pack plenty of ice to keep any perishable foods cold and remember to pull the drain plug in the cooler so the food does not get soaked.
Make sure that you bring games to play when you are going camping. This will provide something to do in case of inclement weather during your trip. If it’s raining, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in the tent or RV. That doesn’t have to ruin the trip. Indoor activities can pass the rainy time inside and allow you to have fun.
An essential element of your camping gear is a first aid kit. This should have all the necessary materials in case someone has an accident. Things like medication, snake precautions, bandages, and other essentials must be in the emergency kit. Accidents will happen on every trip, so it is important to take precautions in advance.
The top priority for any camping trip is fire safety. Know how to create and maintain a secure fire ring. Have buckets nearby that are full of water in the event that the fire gets too big. Work quickly to control your fire, and always extinguish it before leaving your campsite.
Pack an ample supply of sunscreen. Sun protection is important! Find sunscreen that will protect your skin adequately. Ideally, a sunscreen that doubles as insect repellent would probably be the best choice. It will make it easier for you to apply all of the protection you need to stay comfortable while camping.
If you have a health issue, talk to your doctor prior to leaving for a camping trip. Unexpected complications may arise while on the campsite. The doctor could recommend a precaution for you to take that could eliminate any medical disasters and allow you to enjoy your camping trip.
Water purification tablets should be taken with you. Even if you plan ahead or boil any water you can collect, you may need something in a hurry. Read the instructions carefully before you leave, and you might want to try one of the tablets out in water to test out the taste. You will want to get a different type of tablet it you find out that you don’t like the way your water taste.
Always carry a trail map of the places around your campsite. You don’t know when you will need it because you take one wrong turn. A map will lead you in the right direction and can serve as a life saver if you are in a large camp site.
Camping is not as hard as it seems now that you have read this article. Even a novice can learn to love it. Take what you have learned here and apply it to your adventures. You’ll find yourself on an excursion that puts you up close with nature.
When camping on public grounds, you will need to follow the campsite’s rules of etiquette. The campground may have the rules posted near the entrance. It’s usually common courtesy to turn off your music before 11 at night in order to avoid disturbing others.