An outdoor camping adventure can provide a wealth of fun and wonderful memories for persons of any age. But it’s important to have some basic knowledge of camping to help ensure a safe and memorable trip. Use these ideas to prepare for your outdoor adventure.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You may even risk hypothermia.
While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. It’s important that you bring extra wood with you that you can keep in a dry area.
Be prepared to get dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Have fun and go with the moment rather than stressing and worrying about it. You can get clean when you get home.
Preparation can make your camping trip easy and relaxing. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Research the area you are planning on camping at.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. This will allow you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. It wouldn’t be good if you forgot something you really need like your sleeping bag or a tent. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
Take along a bandanna or a small towel. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper towel. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
Educate yourself about the area that you are camping in, and know what hazards you could encounter. For example, there might be poisonous spiders or dangerous trails. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
Oranges taste great, but they can also help keep mosquitoes away from you. Save all the orange peels. Before mosquitoes attack, rub them on exposed skin.
Pack enough of the right kinds of food. You don’t want to bring a lot of food that will easily spoil. It could end up causing food poisoning and quickly end your trip. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
Make sure that you take some activity equipment with you. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. When camping with children, give each child a flashlight.
Duct Tape
A simple camping tip everyone should know is to build shelter during daylight. It’s hard enough to throw up a tent, but it’s even harder with the lights out. You need either a fire or a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. This can be used to close up any issues with your air mattress, which can save you money. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. It can be used on feet to help fight off blisters during long hikes. You can even use it to bandage up injuries.
Take time to learn map and compass reading. You can get lost no matter where you are camping, keep that in mind. This can help you to avoid getting lost or falling into a dangerous situation.
Make a list of your required camping gear and double check it while packing. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. You need a lot of things to take with you on a trip, and you don’t want to miss anything.
Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn’t get any with your tent. By doing this, you will prevent wayward animals or rain from making it inside.
Prepare your clothing in advance of your camping trip. Make sure you pack enough appropriate clothing for the duration and activity planned for your outing. Also, be sure that you carry articles of clothing that are appropriate for the weather and climate of your camping location. Make sure to pack a good pair of shoes to hike in as well.
Many people get food poisoning each year while camping because they do not pack properly. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If there are no restrooms in your camp area, you must go in the woods. You do not want to use leaves to wipe yourself, as they may contain poison ivy, so take your toilet paper with you.
Utility Knife
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. They think this is a convenience for them, but they find out differently. While you can use the bathroom area for lighting, it also is an attraction point for a lot of people. Therefore, they end up not having the convenience and comfort that they expected.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
When camping, how will you cook your food? This decision must be made prior to heading out on your trip so you can pack accordingly. Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but it isn’t so easy if you don’t have the right supplies.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. Whether it goes well or not is usually determined by how prepared you are. If you are able to think ahead about what you might come across, and protect yourself against it, you will have a great time camping.
While camping, do everything you can to be safe and cautious. This means you should give wide berth to large woodland critters, and even some small ones. Smaller animals, like squirrels, can be more dangerous than their tiny size indicates. It shouldn’t need to be said, but do not give bears food if you encounter them.
Camping is a classic pastime loved by both the young and young-at-heart. As you can see, some basic camping information can help to make sure that everyone on the trip has a pleasant and enjoyable time. Hopefully, the information provided to you here has given you all you need.
Stick with food safety when you camp. Make sure to pack your foods in airtight containers. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before you prepare your food. Cook all your foods completely and quickly refrigerate foods.
