Some people associate camping with mosquitoes, hunger and boredom. You can chose that route, but there are ways to make camping comfortable. If you plan well, it is possible to have fun, eat well and keep bugs away. Read this article to plan an enjoyable, exciting trip.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. There is a lot of mess that goes along with camping. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. You don’t want to interrupt their fun, it’s a joy of camping after all; but, keep some extra clothing with you for them. Prepare thoroughly!
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. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Review your health insurance policy. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Sleeping Bag
Before you embark on any camping trip you should be sure you have emergency supplies on hand, like a first aid kit and more. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. A bag that is intended for winter conditions will surely cause you to overheat when you are trying to sleep in summer weather. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You could even experience hypothermia.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. Take something like creamer for your coffee or a chocolate candy bar. You can really feel good on your trip when you bring these food items.
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t burn. Bring some wood and store it in an area that is not moist when you camp.
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. When adventuring in an RV, be safely parked before dark. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
All participants should have a say in where you go camping. Have a conversation about where you want to go. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. This means, research what types of animals and insects are deadly or which weather patterns you need to watch for. Every camping spot has a few dangers to be aware of.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Always take along plenty of food, and be sure it’s the proper kind. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
Do not worry that you have packed too much stuff for the kids. Going camping can get really dirty. Kids simply love to get dirty. As the day goes on, your kids will get messier and messier. Know that you must accept that fact, but have a change of clothing for them so they can be comfortable. Prepare thoroughly!
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. Your neighboring campers may be afraid of dogs. Respect is important when camping. Additionally, your dog may cause damage to the property of someone else if left untethered and unsupervised.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Be sure to do some research as well. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
Did you just purchase a new tent for your trip? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. This also means that you can do it rather easily and speedily when you get to your campsite, meaning your tent might be up before the sun is totally gone.
By now you should see that you can have a lot of fun while camping. Use this information as a great guide to planning the next outdoor adventure you wish to go on. They are great for helping you steer clear of camping pitfalls so that you can enjoy nothing but the benefits.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. Make a master checklist of everything that you will be needing on your trip and be sure to check off items as they are packed or loaded into the car. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
