If camping is something you have never done, you are truly missing out. The beauty of a natural setting to wake to each morning and the peace and quiet to lull you to sleep every night is beyond compare. If your lack of familiarity with camping is keeping you from going, then this article will be of guidance and assistance.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You may even get hypothermia.
You will get dirty. If you prepare yourself for this ahead of time, it won’t stress you out as much when it happens. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. Things will be normal again once you are home.
When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Make sure that the tent you take camping has enough space for everyone you are taking along. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Carry a survival kit on your person. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. You need this if you become lost or stranded; the items in your kit may save your life. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. When you have some idea of how the weather will behavior while you are camping, you can pack appropriate clothing and equipment.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Camping Trip
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. If you go to another state, you may have to have another policy. If you plan to travel to a different country, such as Canada, then its is especially important. Better to be prepared and safe than sorry later.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. That way, it will be convenient to just grab it at put it in your car at the last minute.
Review the medical coverage that you have. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You don’t want to be far away if you decide you’ve had enough of camping, or if you have problems with your equipment. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Many issues can occur for new campers, so you should camp near home your first time.
Even when you’re trying to get away from the luxuries of life, it can help to bring something nice on your camping trip. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Always take along plenty of food, and be sure it’s the proper kind. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.
When you go camping for the first few times, be sure that your camp is close to where you live. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Also, you can easily get home if you don’t have enough food or clothing. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare batteries when you go camping. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. You have to wrap your food tightly and keep them away from the tent; some foods, you may have to forget. This will reduce the chance of an attack.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Bags that are light are good for warmer places and a sleeping bag that’s heavier works best when things are colder. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
When selecting an area for your tent, look for the area of the campsite with the flattest and softest ground. This will ensure that your sleeping area is comfortable. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.
Make sure you always know where your children are. Cars always are always coming and going from these sites, so young children may simply and quickly get lost inside the woods. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
An orange peel can help to avoid insect bites. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. This should stop any frustrating, itchy mosquito bites.
With advice in hand, it’s time to start planning your adventure! As long as you keep this information on hand you will do just fine as a camper, even if it is your first time. No matter where you are headed, your trip will be truly memorable.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. The best thing to do is bring some backup batteries. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
