Even if you have not gone camping since you were a child, it can still be a fun activity. It can still prove to be an enjoyable and passionate experience with Mother Nature. These tips should help you along your way.
While you think nature will provide enough wood for your fire to continue burning, it may be wet, which will not burn. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. Bringing your own small supply of wood and keeping it dry is a wise decision.
Let your family members all have a decision when it comes to choosing a campsite. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Make a list of your favorites and allow the family to vote.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can go back to normal when you go home.
Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. Don’t forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. This kit can keep you alive! Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your campsite.
A first aid session, especially if you have children, is essential. 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. Make sure to do your research. Be aware of poisonous flora and fauna, as well as of what sounds animals make.
Double check your medical insurance. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Camping is a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous; the difference between the two is preparation. Always fully prepare before you head out on a camping trip. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Start collecting lint from the filter in your tumble dryer several weeks before your camping adventure. You can hang a bag next to the dryer and just stuff your lint into it. By doing this, you’ll be able to collect the kindling on the day you’re taking the trip.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
If you are going to tough it out, you can still bring along a little bit of luxury item to add comfort to your camping trip. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. These little things can make your day!
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. This kit must include the basics for the event of an emergency. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
Duct tape is a valuable item to carry for many different situations. This can help to seal and protect your tent and even protect your body.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. The last thing you need is to forget something essential like your tent or sleeping bag. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Pillows made specifically for camping have a protective layer that keeps these things from happening.
Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Every camping trip has different dangers.
Always take along plenty of food, and be sure it’s the proper kind. Depending on the length of time of your outing, you need to have plenty of non-perishable food. Your camping trip will be ruined if you get food poisoning. Prepare all food in the right way and follow all other precautions that the kind of food needs.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. Things may go wrong and you may have to abort your trip early if things don’t go your way. You may run out of supplies early. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
If you are camping deep in the woods, take extra care with your food. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. Doing this means you cut down on your possibilities of an animal attack.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. There are campers who do not like dogs. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don’t keep a good eye on them.
Don’t forget to watch your children. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. Things happen very quickly and your kids should be supervised.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Orange Peel
Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. You’ll need these items to help you be able to see after dark, which may be necessary at times. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
Pesky mosquito bites can be avoided with an orange peel. This is an especially useful tip to remember if you forgot your bug spray. Seasoned campers suggest that you can rub your skin with the inside of an ripe orange peel. This should stop any frustrating, itchy mosquito bites.
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If the unthinkable happens and your kids get lost, possessing a picture of them could be a lifesaver. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. The best idea is to bring a couple of extra batteries to maintain your phone. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.
Duct Tape
Start setting up camp well before dark. It’s hard to start pitching a tent when it’s dark outside. You will need to build a fire or have a sufficient number of flashlights. It’s much easier to arrive early enough to get set up before sundown.
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents can get torn and they are hard to fix without having the right material. Having some duct tape can help you repair many things that unexpectedly tear or break.
Many people who are new to camping think that erecting a tent next to the campsite’s communal bathrooms is a good idea. They might think this will make things easier, but they will learn otherwise. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. This can lead to difficulty sleeping and other discomforts that you want to avoid.
Before going camping, make sure you know how to read your map or how to use your compass. If you have visited the campsite before, you can still get lost once you arrive. Learning how to actually use certain items will help you avoid getting lost.
Food safety is very important while you are camping. Store all food in airtight and waterproof containers. Use a cooler that is insulated properly and filled with ice if need be. Keep your raw food away from cooked foods. Before you handle your food, clean your hands properly with soap or other sanitizers, and clean the food prep surfaces. Make sure cooked foods reach the correct temperature and make sure perishable foods are kept chilled.
Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. You can purchase a tube of tent seam sealer at all good sporting goods stores. This will prevent rain or little critters from getting inside.
Dressing in layers helps when you are camping. Outdoors weather changes frequently. You might find that the morning is cold, but the afternoon is hot and humid. The evenings can then turn cold again. You’ll need to have layers of clothes so that you can adjust to the weather as it changes throughout the day.
Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
Sunscreen is essential for a camping trip. It is important that you protect yourself from the sun. Seek out a sunscreen that has sufficient SPF protection. Ideally, you may want to look for a sunscreen that provides protection from bugs at the same time. This can minimize the amount of chemicals you are putting on your skin daily.
It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. Using leaves to wipe could open yourself to mistakenly wiping with poison ivy, so be sure you remember the toilet paper.
Make sure to bring inside activities. Even the most well-planned camping trip can be affected by bad weather. You could end up spending a great deal of time in your tent if it rains. This doesn’t have to mean a ruined trip! Bringing along books, magazines or even coloring books for children can help everyone pass the time until the weather calms again.
In order to recreate your fond memories of camping trips taken as a child, you need knowledge and passion. This article will help bring back fond camping memories and help steer you in the right direction for a trip that goes well.
You top priority during a camping trip should be fire safety. A fire ring is important to create while camping so you should understand how this is accomplished. Have buckets nearby that are full of water in the event that the fire gets too big. Act quickly and get your fire under control. Also make sure it is out completely before you walk away from the site.