Camping may seem like something only children enjoy, but camping still offers a fun day well spent, even for you. You can still have fun with the proper information and the drive to enjoy your experience. The tips below can help.
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are millions of options just in the United States, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose the perfect one! To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. Talk about which state to go to. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. You could even pick three or four possible destinations and allow a family vote from there.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. A hot shower can be sorely missed. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Be sure to do thorough research too. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Make sure to have an idea of the weather before starting your trip. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you know what the weather is going to be like ahead of time, you can pack the appropriate clothing and equipment.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. If you are in an RV, a safe parking spot should be found. If your camping with a tent, make sure to find a dry area that is also flat so you can pitch your tent with ease. Knowing the area around your campsite before it gets dark adds to your camping safety. You can see how to set up your camp, which will save a good deal of frustration.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Always fully prepare before you head out on a camping trip. If you are camping somewhere new, research the area to familiarize yourself with the climate, wildlife and other factors.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. If you are going to be camping for a considerable duration, you need to ensure that you have food than will not go bad. Remember, food poisoning could quickly put an end to your camping adventure. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. When you’re out camping, it’s really easy to miss your shower at home. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.
Bring along some fun activities on the trip. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
If you are not a seasoned camper, stay close to home. If you have any equipment issues, it is better and easier to cut your trip short when you do not have so far to travel. Perhaps you realize that you’ve run out of food or haven’t packed enough clothing. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Before leaving for your trip, write a list of what you need to bring along. This is doubly important for campgrounds that are far away. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
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. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. Flashlights will be essential at night. 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.
Create a list of items you need for your camping trip. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
When camping with children, bring along a picture of each child. While it is a worst case scenario, a child can easily be separated from the rest of the party, and a picture will make it easier to locate them. Your should always have current pictures of your children with you, but this is especially true when camping.
Be certain to have multiple lanterns or flashlights handy as well as additional batteries. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. If you’re taking kids along with you, give each one of them a flashlight.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. It’s likely that you’ll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.
Be aware of where your campsite is. You need to avoid setting up your camping site close to wasp’s nests and other insect breeding grounds. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It’s hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Smart campers will leave their car or base camp with a charged mobile phone. If that’s not an option, bring an extra battery. Your cell phone is the best piece of emergency equipment you have so make sure it doesn’t die on you.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. Sealing your tent will keep out rainwater and unwelcome critters.
Though camping can be the best relaxation you can have, things can go south easily. Preparation is the difference between the two. By preparing for any eventuality, your trip stands a good chance of being a huge success.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If your food isn’t prepacked or canned, food poisoning might be a risk. Make sure food and drinks stay at a safe temperature by using enough ice. Most coolers have a plug that you can open, this drains the excess water, so your food won’t get wet.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. You will need to build a fire or have a sufficient number of flashlights. It’s much easier to pitch your tent while it’s light out.
While it may sound obvious, don’t forget to pack the toilet paper when you head out for a camping trip. If you don’t happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. You certainly don’t want to be wiping yourself with leaves.
Duct Tape
Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. They have convenience in mind, but might find out the situation is different than they thought. Communal campsite bathrooms are a constant source of light, noise and unpleasant smells. Therefore, camping is not as comfortable and convenient as expected.
When going camping, bring some duct tape with you. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. 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.
Keep food safe when you’re out in the wild camping. Food should be packed in bags that are airtight or in waterproof containers. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Handle food with clean hands, whether you bring sanitizer with you or soap. Cook foods to proper temperatures and chill foods quickly.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. If you have visited the campsite before, you can still get lost once you arrive. You can avoid a possible disaster by becoming knowledgeable about using these items that can save your life.
If camping has always appealed to you, but you remain a novice, you can rapidly determine whether the pastime does indeed suit you. Pitch a tent in your backyard, and sleep in it for the night. Make yourself stay there all night; don’t go inside for any reason. If that is easy for you, you’ll probably enjoy camping.
Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. This will allow you to keep wild animals and bad weather from getting into your tent.
If you are camping for several days or weeks, bring along some form of entertainment. Multiple electronics may kill the spirit of the trip; however, books, music and games can bring some much needed excitement to the group, or offer a diversion when you are alone.
If you have ever gone camping, maybe all you need is some information to rekindle the old fun. Let this article help you stir your imagination and spark your mind so that you can have a truly memorable camping experience and learn to love it all over again.
Be sure to pack plenty of water, drinks and food in the camping supplies. If your campsite is known to have an abundance of bears, be certain to store all food away from your sleeping area. Dispose of any food scraps by burning them, so that their smell does not lure bears towards your campsite.
