Camping is a great activity to share with family and friends. Yet, many never try it because it sounds so hard to do. As long as you have the information you need ahead of time, camping is very easy. Use the following tips to help you become a more skilled camper quickly.
Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
It is important to keep in mind the fact that your person and all of your possessions will get dirty during a camping trip. If you are prepared for this situation, you will find that when it occurs, you will be less stressed. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. It’s smart to bring your own wood and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. There is a lot of mess that goes along with camping. Kids love getting into dirt. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. It is important to be prepared.
Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
Bring things like a bandanna and handkerchief along with you. You can use it as a potholder, bag holder or a towel. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you’re camping.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Camping can be messy. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. There is nothing like being prepared!
Make sure to finish setting up camp during daylight hours. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. When you find a camping area, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” To do this, tie cereal and juice boxes to trees so that your kids have to hunt for their breakfest. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. This is a wonderful way to add fun to their camping enjoyment.
Camping is about being one with nature and living off the basics, but it is important to go prepared. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. The content of this kit should be personalized to the type of camping you will be doing. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the camping climate. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. Make sure you have plenty of clean clothes for the duration of your trip. Also, be sure that you carry articles of clothing that are appropriate for the weather and climate of your camping location. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
Make sure that you understand the dangers and risks of the camping site that you choose. Figure out if there are any poisonous insects, what the land looks like and how the weather will be. Many camping areas pose some dangers.
Be conscious of where you set up camp. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If you are going camping with children, you need to make sure that you bring a lot of things to keep them entertained during the trip.
Every camper should possess a basic utility knife. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. Making a list and checking things off is a good way to remember everything. Don’t forget sleeping bags, water, utility knives, anti-bacterial soap and sanitizer, fire starters and a sturdy tent.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short. You can avoid making situations worse, and you can take an injured person for help in a safe way.
Hopefully you now realize that camping really is not too difficult. Anyone, with a little effort, can do it. Use what you have learned from this article and apply it to your next camping trip. In no time, you will be embarking on a trip that will help you commune with nature.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. It’s hard to start pitching a tent when it’s dark outside. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. However, setting up your camp while it is still daylight is always your best option.
