How long has it been since you’ve been camping? Camping is the perfect way to get in touch with nature and relax. You can leave the stresses of the office behind and completely unplug from the world. Use this article to turn yourself into a knowledgeable camper for the next time you explore the great outdoors!
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. When night falls, making food, finding wood, and pitching your tent can be very difficult. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
While you may think that nature will offer up enough wood to keep your fire embers burning, it could quite possibly be wet wood that doesn’t really want to burn. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
A camping trip provides fun experiences or dangerous experiences. Which you will experience depends on your level of preparation. Be sure you don’t go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
Double-check any medical insurance. 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 prepared in case there is an injury or illness.
Camping Pillows
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. The tend to absorb ambient moisture and grow mildew as well. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
Oranges taste great, but they can also help keep mosquitoes away from you. When you get through eating an orange, rub the peel on exposed skin to keep pesky bugs away.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. There are those who have a fear of dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Furthermore, dogs could cause a lot of damage to your campsite, or someone else’s, if they are not properly supervised.
While kids love camping, they need to have activities planned for them. Far from civilization, kids tend to get bored. Are they used to pitching tents and fishing? Spend a day teaching them what they need to know before you leave for your trip.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. Putting some on your feet before hiking can prevent blisters. You can even use it to hold on a makeshift bandage.
When you’re going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Also remember to put down a tarp underneath your tent as an extra layer of protection from water.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. You can wrap up leftovers well, keep them away from the tent and use other precautions to protect yourself. This can prevent an attack.

Think about your clothing before your camping adventure. You will need an adequate supply of clean clothes to last the entirety of your trip. Also, check the weather so that you can dress accordingly. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
When you find your site, seek out the softest, most level ground to put your tent on. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. This can come in handy if they are separated from you while on your trip. Keep pictures of your children on you when ever you are far from home.
Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Have a list ready before your trip that you can check off, and pack at least two days before heading out.
Be aware of where your campsite is. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. If you’re near lots of vegetation, you should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.
Make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the location. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
Utility Knife
Make a plan as to what you’ll wear. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. You should also make sure to include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and possible weather changes in your camping area. You should also have a pair of hiking boots or some other type of durable, protective shoe.
Every camper should possess a basic utility knife. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. If there are no restrooms in your area, you will need to go out in nature. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. You could also make your own by coating them with nail polish before you leave for your trip. Your canister for storing them could be a plastic medicine bottle or an old film-roll container.
Dress yourself up in multiple layers when you go camping. Outdoors weather changes frequently. Your day may start out with a chill and then warm up to a hot humid afternoon. During the evenings, it can get pretty chilly. You’ll need to be sure your clothes are layered so it’s easy to adjust what you’re wearing throughout your day.
The tips here will help you have a very enjoyable camping trip. Camping is a great activity to get your family involved in, and as long as you work to prepare well ahead of time and continue to read about great camping tips, you will find camping to be one of the most enjoyable things you do for fun.
Make sure to plan fun things to do from your trip’s start to its finish. There is so much more to camping than just roasting marshmallows. Be sure to include activities that every member of the party can participate in. Think of both your younger and older kids when choosing activities.
