If you enjoyed camping as a child, then you can still enjoy it as an adult. It can still be enjoyable if you plan ahead and well. Check out these great tips to get started on a plan for your next trip.
Pack a survival kit and carry it on you at all times. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, flare gun and waterproof matches. You need this if you become lost or stranded; the items in your kit may save your life. If you don’t take it with you on excursions it will serve you no good.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Allow everyone who is going on the trip to have a say about the campsite. Think about where it is you want to go. There are millions of options just in the United States, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose the perfect one! It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Make a list of the items you need, and double check it before you leave home.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. If you have an RV, find a secure place to park. If you have a tent, carefully select the plot of land you are going to use. Getting your camp set up before dark will give you time to get to know your campsite and surrounding area. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
When you take children camping with you, make sure to go over some of the dangers associated with camping. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Duct Tape
Plan ahead and come prepared. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. This makes sure that any warmth that is not handled by the sleeping bag can be augmented by using extra blankets.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. You can patch holes in your tent, your mattress or your shoes, or secure your tent poles, seal mosquito netting and much, much more.
Make sure you bring the right things when you go camping. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Take the time to create a list that can be checked off while you pack. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Remember to bring along wilderness-friendly activities. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Prior to your camping trip, create a list of all the equipment and personal items you need to take. This can be of particular importance if you are traveling a long distance and will be in more remote locations. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
The idea of camping is to live with just the essentials, but you should make sure to be well prepared. Bring extra blankets along with your sleeping bag. That way, you will be prepared for an unexpected chill, or you can have a softer place to sleep.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. If you are camping in a colder climate, purchase a heavyweight sleeping bag; people who camp in warm weather should use a lightweight sleeping bag. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Always pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the weather. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. If you are staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
Never let your kids roam out of your sight. Cars abound at campgrounds, and it is easy for a little one to walk into the woods and have trouble getting out. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives are the most diverse tools you can carry, so be sure to carry an additional one just in case it gets lost.
The peel of an orange might save you from mosquito bites on your next camping trip. Thus, if you forget the repellant, but remember the oranges, you’re still in luck! Experts have said that you can just rub inner side of an orange peel on any exposed skin. This can last a few hours and make your trip a more comfortable one.
Cell Phone
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. It is an even better idea to bring extra batteries as an emergency backup. Your cell phone is the best piece of emergency equipment you have so make sure it doesn’t die on you.
Pack carefully and efficiently. Create a checklist of what you’re going to be bringing along and check things off while you’re packing them. That is essential if you are going far away to a remote site and unable to get first aid items and other necessary things.
Pack strategically. Create a supply checklist for your trip and check off each item as it’s being packed. If you are planning to camp in an area away from first aid access, then this will be especially necessary.
One simple tip that many people overlook is creating your shelter before dark. When it’s dark, it’s hard to pitch your tent. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It’s much easier to arrive early enough to get set up before sundown.
One easy tip to keep in mind is that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. When it’s dark outside it can be very hard to put your tent up. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. It is so much easier to set up your shelter before dark.
Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. When it’s cold, you need to have a sleeping bag that will handle sub zero temperatures.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. While it may be convenient, it can also be annoying. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. As a result, camper privacy and enjoyment can be seriously impacted.
Your survival kit should include waterproof matches. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. Easy-to-find 35mm film canisters and plastic medicine bottles make handy cases for matches.
What will you do about cooking food while camping? Decide before leaving the house what cooking method you’re going to use, and pack the right supplies. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. You can purchase sealant at shops that sell sporting goods, but some tents come with a tube. This ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
Plan to dress in layers. Weather in the outdoors can change very quickly. The morning may have a chill, but the afternoon may be balmy or sweltering hot. The night can again turn back to cold. Layers allow you to adjust to the changing weather
It’s important to clean the campsite you used when it’s time to leave. Pack your own garbage bags to make cleaning easy. Do not leave food there, either. The only thing that should be left behind are your footprints.
For an inexpensive and disposable way to protect the bottom of your tent, use an old vinyl shower curtain as a tarp. It can also be used for a washing area or cooking area base since you can control the run-off. Therefore, instead of putting your old shower curtains in the trash, wash them and save them for your next camping trip.
Many people get food poisoning each year while camping because they do not pack properly. Food that has not been preserved, vacuum sealed or canned can spoil and give you food poisoning. Pack perishable foods in ice and drain your cooler often to prevent water from damaging the food.
Pocket lint is an essential for camping. Lint from your dryer is a great campfire starter. The lint creates flames that are brighter than those made with wood chips or twigs. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If you camp somewhere without restrooms, you are going to have to go in the woods. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Create a snake-proof campsite if there are snakes in the area. Steer clear of heavy brush, deep bushes, woodpiles and rock accumulations. Keep bags closed and check your shoes for snakes before putting them on. Seal your tent, and pack its edges using earth or sand to keep snakes from crawling beneath it when you’re sleeping.
Make sure to practice food safety whenever you go camping. Pack food and drinks in airtight pouches and containers. Also, use insulated coolers. 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. Thoroughly cook foods and store them right away.
Pack some indoor entertainment items. You should be prepared in case of bad weather. If it does rain, you could find yourself stuck inside. Your whole trip does not have to be ruined. Bringing games or developing activities with your friends and family can help to improve the quality of your trip.
With just a little bit of advice, you can relive the wonderful childhood memories of those exciting camping trips of yesterday. Let this article inspire you to make your next camping trip into an enjoyable experience that you will never forget.
If you have a medical issue, discuss any upcoming camping trips with your doctor. There are a lot of things that could go wrong that you didn’t consider. You should take every possible precaution to prevent disaster and assure yourself of a great camping vacation.
