Are you somewhat fearful of going camping? Don’t let your fears prevent you from having fun. All that’s needed is the confidence to do it and good advice to help you on your way. You’re exactly where you need to be. Take a look at the informative tips below.
Always set up a new tent once at home before taking it camping. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Double check your medical insurance. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. This preparation tactic can help you save a lot of money in the event of an accident.
Sleeping Bag
Combine your camping trip with some swimming. You are probably going to miss the shower you have at home while camping. You’ll feel much cleaner by swimming in cool water. Therefore, you aren’t going to miss your home shower as much.
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Collect your dryer lint about a month before you go camping. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. You can just go about your business after that.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Just have fun. Relax, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. You can clean up when you get back home.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. This kit must include the basics for the event of an emergency. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
Double-check any medical insurance. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you’ll have to get an additional policy to cover you. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. It is important to always be prepared.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. You will be able to see the area better before nightfall and become familiar with it. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
You can go swimming at the same time that you camp! Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. You’ll feel much cleaner by swimming in cool water. Therefore, you aren’t going to miss your home shower as much.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.
Fabric Piece
Use orange peels to ward off mosquito bites naturally while camping. If you’ve packed everything, except for mosquito repellant, do not fret. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
A bandana or handkerchief can be a great addition to your camping equipment. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter. There are various uses for this fabric piece, so be sure to carry one on your trip.
Try to arrange all of your clothing in advance before you go on a camping trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Be sure to also carry clothing that is weather and climate appropriate on your trip. You should pack at least one pair of durable closed-toed boots.
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. Just grab your bag of dryer lint and go on camping day.
Make sure to carry a utility knife with you when you are camping. A utility knife is one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment that no camper should be without.
Make sure that your bags include oranges, since these double up as both a handy and healthy snack but also serve as an organic and natural repellant of mosquitoes. After you’ve enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels. If the mosquitoes are swarming, rub the peels over your body to keep them at bay.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These items can help save a life or help keep a harmful situation from going from bad to worse. This can help keep issues from escalating, and let you secure help for an injured camper.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Pack wisely! Create a supply checklist for your trip and check off each item as it’s being packed. This is especially crucial if your trip will be taking you to a remote location where replacement supplies will be hard to come by.
Kids really enjoy camping if they are kept busy with fun activities. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. While fishing, pitching a tent and starting a fire might sound fun, they are not the activities kids are used to. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.
Many people don’t realize that it is necessary to make a shelter before it gets dark. Pitching tents in the dark can be almost impossible. A flashlight or fire will help you out. It will obviously be much easier to pitch your tent if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. You might want to create a checklist of things you need to bring. Make sure that you bring a lot of water, knives, soaps and food on your camping trip for safety.
Ensure that your food is safe while camping. Pack foods in airtight bags and containers that are waterproof. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Cooked foods should always be kept away from raw foods so they don’t become contaminated. Wash your hands while preparing food and afterward, and keep any surfaces, utensils and cooking containers clean as well. Always cook and store foods at the proper temperatures.
Sleeping Bags
A full first aid kit should be a vital part of your camping gear. The first aid kit should be well stocked in case an accident does occur. Bandages, aspirin, snake bite kit, splints, wound dressing, and other essential elements need to be in your first aid kit. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
Be sure to pack plenty of water, drinks and food in the camping supplies. If bears are common where you will be camping, keep your food away from your sleeping area. Burn all burnable garbage so the smells do not attract any bears to the area.
Watch your kids closely. Cars constantly come and go at campsites, and kids can quickly lose their way in the woods. Disaster can strike quickly if you aren’t watching closely.
Bring some activities with you that can be done indoors. Be ready in case inclement weather shows up. It is a great way to occupy your time when you can’t get outdoors. This doesn’t have to mean the end of your trip. Bringing along books, magazines or even coloring books for children can help everyone pass the time until the weather calms again.
If you are going on a camping trip, you want to be sure that you have a knife or two on hand. These types of knives are the key to success when you need tools at a campsite. Carry an extra one in your bags in the event that your main one gets lost.
Read up on poisonous plants prior to embarking on your next camping adventure. If you are not aware of what to avoid, you will likely run right into them without knowing the difference. Purchase a book showing poisonous plants that are found in the area you want to visit, or do an online search. This information will allow you to avoid these hazardous plants.
Make sure that you choose a sleeping bag that fits the temperature of the region you plan to visit. Summer requires only a lightweight sleeping bag. When it’s cold, you need to have a sleeping bag that will handle sub zero temperatures.
During your camping planning, pull out any old recipes you may have. The old standby of hotdogs on the campfire is great for a couple of days, but will get old quickly. Try to add some variation to the meals that you create. Look for easy recipes that you can cook outdoors to make your camp meals more interesting. Don’t forget to pack spice and seasoning favorites.
Your tent should be dry and well ventilated. When you sleep in a tent that is completely sealed, condensation can build up on the roof, floor, walls, and sleeping bags from perspiration and breathing. You may end up waking to unpleasant dampness. Tents usually have built-in vents, windows, or doors that can be cracked to prevent moisture buildup and create a cross-breeze.
Speak to your doctor before you go camping if you suffer from any medical condition that could affect your health during your trip. Your trip may cause unforeseen complications for your condition. In most cases, you probably won’t need to do much, but the little that you do can have big benefits to you during your vacation.
You are now ready to experience the great outdoors. Keep in mind all that you have learned, no matter where you decide to pitch your next tent. You are sure to want to repeat your camping experience.
Take your map of local trails everywhere with you. You don’t know when you will need it because you take one wrong turn. An accurate trail map will help you be able to find your way back before night falls.
