Camping is a wholesome activity that can be shared with friends and family. But, some people don’t even bother going on a trip because they think the whole process is difficult. You just have to know what you are doing. Keep on reading for advice that you can use to be a great camping expert in no time.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Sleeping Bag
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You may even risk hypothermia.
If you’ve brought the kids along, feed them a “jungle” breakfast. Take juice boxes, mini cereal boxes and fruit and tie the food to trees. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. You can get back to normal after returning home.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
Let everyone know they have a say in the campsite and should help pick a favorite spot. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. They may not have any experience with things such as fishing or setting up a tent. Teach them about these activities prior to leaving.
Make sure your survival kit is available on a constant basis. Your survival kit should contain a survival knife, water-purifying tablets, waterproof matches, first aid kit, and a flare gun. This kit can save your life if you get into a dangerous situation. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Talk to your children about the dangers of camping before heading out on your trip. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.
Learn proper first aid. In case of an accident, you will know what to do until medical help arrives. Be sure to do thorough research too. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. You could experience a number of problems, such as equipment failure, and wish to cut the trip short. Maybe you will find you have not brought enough food, clothing or other necessities. There are many unexpected problems you may encounter the first time you go camping, so stay close to home.
Carry a handkerchief or bandanna while camping. That small piece of cloth could become a potholder, a bag, a blotter or a towel. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
Always bring ample food, and make sure you bring the right types. Take a decent amount of food that won’t spoil when you go camping. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.
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.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. This means a safe parking place for RV campers. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. It is versatile at camp, just like at home. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. It can also be used in lieu of bandages.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. It would be horrible to forget something important like the tent or camp mat. Double check the items you want to take and make a check list before you leave to make sure that you bring everything with you.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. You’ll need these items to help you be able to see after dark, which may be necessary at times. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. This includes things like which spiders are deadly, whether or not there are sheer drops, and if flash floods are common. Every camping spot has a few dangers to be aware of.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. They stay fresh for a while, so you do not have to worry about them going bad if you do not use them up right away.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, or another person’s if they aren’t being watched.
Pack your things with care. Keep a checklist of the things you need and check them off as you collect and pack them. This is very important if you’re going to a far away place that doesn’t have first aid supplies or thing you’ll need when an emergency arises.
If the area you are camping in is known for dangerous wildlife, you will need to be doubly careful with food storage. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Everyone knows to make a shelter, but many forget you should do it before dark! When it’s dark outside it can be very hard to put your tent up. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Duct Tape
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Although the camp site may be a familiar one, there may have been changes since your last visit and you could still get lost. Using a map or compass can actually save your life if you’re lost. Learn to use them so that you don’t suffer a tragic fate.
Duct tape is a handy tool that will prove useful on any camping trip. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. Prior to heading off on a long nature hike, place some tape on your heels to avoid blistering. You can use duct tape for almost anything.
When setting up a tent, ensure that the seams are all sealed. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn’t get any with your tent. Sealing the seams of your tent will prevent any insects or water from getting inside.
It’s very important that you bring the proper items on your camping trip. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Your list should include a sleeping bag, tent, tarp, water, food, knife, soap, fire-starting items and more.
Dress in layers when camping. It is not uncommon for it to be hot and then cold within an hour in some areas. You could awake in the morning to cold weather, for it to just turn hot within a short amount of time. It gets quite cold at night once more. Make sure to layer your clothing so you are prepared for anything.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. It is an even better idea to bring extra batteries as an emergency backup. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
Make sure you have fun activities planned beforehand. You do not need to stick to just sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. Instead, plan activities that each member of the family will enjoy. This is especially true if you are bringing children or older family members along for the trip.
Figure out how to use a compass and read a map in advance. Although the camp site may be a familiar one, there may have been changes since your last visit and you could still get lost. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
Instead of buying an expensive tarp, you can use a shower curtain you planned to discard. You can use it for a variety of other purposes as well. Instead of consigning your shower curtain to the dumpster, wash it and keep it around for your next camping trip.
With any luck, you now see how easy camping can really be. Anyone can master how to camp and have a great time. Use all you have learned when you go on your next camping trip. Soon, you can really enjoy a great time in nature.
Handle restroom needs downstream if you camp near running water. This will allow you to be sure that the water that’s going near your campsite doesn’t contain anything that could make you sick. The location should be well away from both the water and your campsite.
