Camping is undeniably fun for all ages. To make sure that your next camping trip is a success, you need to know some pieces of time-tested wisdom about the great outdoors. Take time to read through this article and you will be experiencing a great camping trip in no time.
Look for where you’re going to set up your shelter before darkness falls. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids love getting into dirt. This means you should prepare to have dirty children. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. It’s best to be prepared.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
Consider having a “jungle breakfast” if you are on a camping trip with children. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This adds a little sprinkle of adventure and excitement to any camping trip.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Have fun and go with the moment rather than stressing and worrying about it. Things will be normal again once you are home.
To make your camping trip more enjoyable, bring along something luxurious. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. It is these simple luxuries that can lift your mood.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping can be messy. Kids love to play in dirt. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Always prepare!
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Many camping areas pose some dangers.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. When you travel to camp, you may need to have this updated or add an additional policy. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
Talk to your children about the dangers of camping before heading out on your trip. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
If you are not a seasoned camper, stay close to home. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. Maybe you’ll run low on food or not have enough clothing with you. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
If you are going camping, whether with others or alone, a survival kit is essential. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. If you think there will be snakes, you might want to include antivenom.
Pack plenty of food and make sure it’s the right type. Food that is resistant to spoiling, or that can be kept cold in your cooler, are the best options to choose. Your camping trip will be ruined if you get food poisoning. Properly prepare food and take any necessary precautions.
Make sure that your camp site is complete before night breaks. If you are in an RV, park it safely. Search for flat, dry ground when camping in a tent. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. You’ll need a sleeping bag, as well as extra blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
If you are a novice at camping, don’t stray far from home. This is so you can easily get home if you don’t enjoy your camping experience. Maybe you’ll run low on food or not have enough clothing with you. There are a lot of different things that can come about and being closer to home will make it a lot easier.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. Keep all food items wrapped tightly and securely away from your tent. Some kinds of foods should be avoided altogether. This helps lower your attack risk.
Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. A flashlight can prevent a fall and scare away unwanted wildlife. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
Did you know that a roll of high-quality duct tape is a great item to take camping with you? Its multipurpose properties aren’t only useful at home, they can be used in the wild too. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can even use it to bandage up injuries.
Always keep a close eye on your kids. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Prepare for your camping trip thoroughly. It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. 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.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. When you reach the end of a long day, it may not sound appealing to cook, so it helps to have these things to eat when you’re too tired. These snacks should preserve for a good while, so there’s no wasting involved if they aren’t eaten.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. Your skill using a compass and a map can be a lifesaver one day.
When camping with children, bring along a picture of each child. If they get separated from you, having a picture will make finding them a lot easier. Your should always have current pictures of your children with you, but this is especially true when camping.
When preparing your survival kit for your camping trip, pack some waterproof matches. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. You can take ordinary matches and make them waterproof when you dip them into nail polish or paraffin. Provide your own caddy for the matches by storing them in a plastic medicine bottle or 35mm film container.
Do you know what means you are going to use to cook your food? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. Food that has not been preserved, vacuum sealed or canned can spoil and give you food poisoning. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
Make sure that all food brought along on a camping trip is preserved and prepared properly. Food should be packed in bags that are airtight or in waterproof containers. Insulated coolers are where the food should be stored. Raw food should be kept separate from cooked food as a way to prevent contamination. Before you handle your food, clean your hands properly with soap or other sanitizers, and clean the food prep surfaces. Cook foods to proper temperatures and chill foods quickly.
No matter the age, many people find camping to be a great activity that offers lots of excitement. Make sure your next camping trip is fun and easy, being prepared is important. Hopefully, this information has given you the information you needed to know.
Always wear your clothing in layers for camping outings. There can often be quick and unexpected weather changes in the great outdoors. While the early morning may be freezing, by afternoon it can get hot and humid. Nighttime can often be much colder than mornings and afternoons. You will have to have a lot of layers of clothing so you are always ready for the weather, whatever it is.
