Camping may bring back happy childhood memories and you can create some new memories by planning a relaxing camping trip today. Anyone of any age can have fun camping as long as they take some extra time to prepare properly for the trip with information. The tips below can help.
Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You could even experience hypothermia.
Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Talk over what your destination state should be. The U.S. has dozens of great camping options. Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Only go camping when you have prepared yourself for it. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
When you’re going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on the length of time of your outing, you need to have plenty of non-perishable food. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. Prepare all food in the right way and follow all other precautions that the kind of food needs.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. After you have eaten the orange, rub the peel onto exposed body parts and this will repel any blood-sucking bugs.
Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. If you are in an RV, park it safely. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. It will also save some time and frustration since you will be able to see better.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! While it’s crucial to plan ahead for things, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
When you find your camping spot, put the tent up on top of the patch of ground that is flattest and softest. Choosing a slanted or rocky site will make your stay quite uncomfortable. Make sure you put down a tarp before you set up your tent. This will keep water from entering your tent at night.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. This can prevent an attack.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
While the concept of camping involves getting away from it all, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If you lose them at some point, a picture will be very helpful to local authorities. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. Flashlights will come in very handy when it is dark. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
Cell Phone
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. Utility knives have many uses in a campers tool kit. It may even be a good idea to bring an extra in case your first one gets lost.
Always make sure that your cell phone is with you when you get to your campsite, and it should be fully charged. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. The cell phone comes in handy in emergency situations, so you will need all the battery power you can get.
Make sure to pack some duct tape for your camping trip. Tents can get torn and they are hard to fix without having the right material. If your tent has damage, duct tape can be used to fixed it so you do not have to worry about getting wet at night.
First aid and survival kits are essential to bring while camping. These can be useful for any situation and can extend your trip. This can help keep issues from escalating, and let you secure help for an injured camper.
Make sure waterproof matches are in your survival kit. Keep them in a container that is airtight. To save money, dip regular matches in shellac, nail polish or wax to make your own waterproof matches. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
Camping Trip
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Bring enough trash bags for the anticipated clean up. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. A golden rule for departing a campsite: leave only your footprints behind.
You can have the relaxing camping trip of your dreams, or you can have the disastrous camping trip of your nightmares. It all depends on the time you take to properly prepare for your trip. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. You may be camping in an area that doesn’t offer toilets, so you will need to find other places to go to the bathroom. Using leaves to clean off is not a good idea because there may be some poison ivy mixed in.
Make sure you pack carefully and wisely. Make a list of the things you need on your trip. Check each item off when you pack it. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. It may be convenient in some ways, but there are a lot of issues with that. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. You can avoid potential tragedy by learning how to use these lifesaving items.
Your tent should be kept dry and well ventilated. When sleeping in your fully sealed tent, condensation will build on the walls and your sleeping bag. You may end up waking to unpleasant dampness. Find a tent with a built-in vent to reduce the moisture in your sleeping area.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. They might think this will make things easier, but they will learn otherwise. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. Consequently, campers that pitch their tents near communal campsite bathrooms have neither the convenience nor the comfort that they may have expected.
For a cheap and disposable tarp to place under your tent, save an old shower curtain! It can also be used for a washing area or cooking area base since you can control the run-off. Don’t throw away a shower curtain; use it for your next camping trip.
In order to recreate your fond memories of camping trips taken as a child, you need knowledge and passion. Let this article inspire you to make your next camping trip into an enjoyable experience that you will never forget.
If you are camping along a stream or river, always set up your bathroom area downstream. This ensures that any water that flows through your camp site won’t be contaminated with your “special gift.” It’s a good idea to stay a good 100 yards or so from the campsite for things of this nature; just as a common courtesy.
