Are you looking to experience a relaxing camping trip in the great outdoors? Whether you are planning for a week long stay in the wild or a simple one night adventure, you must plan. The following advice can make any camping trip more relaxing and fun.
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. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Don’t worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can be messy. Kids love getting into dirt. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. There is nothing like being prepared!
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. A first aid kit, matches in a water tight container, a good knife, flares and tablet to purify water are some essentials to include. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Camping is a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous; the difference between the two is preparation. Be certain that your camping trips always involve proper planning. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping can be dirty! Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. It’s best to be prepared.
Check out your medical insurance policy. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. It adds some fun to camping.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. The coolness of the water will help you feel cleaner and more refreshed, so you won’t miss your shower as much as you thought you might!
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. You can just go about your business after that.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Card games are a fun way to pass the time if the weather does not cooperate. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. There may be different items in it depending on your camping location, but there are some things that should be in any kit. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
If your intended camping destination is known for its prowling wildlife, take more than enough precautions to secure food. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. It is these simple luxuries that can lift your mood.
Have you just bought your first tent as a rookie camper? Spend time practicing pitching a tent prior to leaving for your trip. This way, you will know the things you need to put your tent up. This will also enable you to do this task quickly if you arrive at the campsite, right before darkness sets in.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. This includes things like which spiders are deadly, whether or not there are sheer drops, and if flash floods are common. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
Duct Tape
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Rub the inner peel of an orange over your body as mosquitoes will refrain from biting you. This can help for many hours.

The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. You can use this to repair any holes in an air mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. You can even put some under your feet before long hikes so that you don’t get blisters. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. If they get separated from you, having a picture will make finding them a lot easier. Make sure you bring one for emergencies, especially if you are camping far from home.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. If you select a bumpy or slanted area, you will have an uncomfortable experience in your tent. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
It is a good idea to have a cell phone that is fully charged in your car or base camp. You may also want to bring a couple of extra batteries in case one runs out. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
Create a list of items you need for your camping trip. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. To ensure that everything gets packed, mark each item off the list as you pack it.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. By preparing for any eventuality, your trip stands a good chance of being a huge success.
Make sure to have a picture of your children when camping with them. If they go missing, you can show people the photo to help find them quickly. Be sure to have a photo for an emergency, even more so if you’re camping far away from your home.
Once you are finished camping, be sure your campsite is left clean. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Pack up any leftover food and take it with you. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
Keep an eye out on your camping area. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. Insect repellent will also help to keep the insects away.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. Preserve the food by vacuum sealing or canning it to prevent food poisoning on long camping trips. Pack perishables in ice, and don’t forget to pull out the drain plug of the cooler to keep food from getting wet.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These items can literally save your life, or to a lesser extent, prevent you from returning from your trip before you are ready to do so. This is a great way to avoid a situation getting out of control.
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. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
Sleeping Bag
Keep safety at the front of your mind. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Even small animals can present a danger. It should go without saying, but do not feed any bears if you see them.
Whenever you select a sleeping bag, ensure that your selection is one that is appropriate for the season. In the summer months, you need a lightweight option. However, if it is winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won’t freeze during the night.
If you’re interested in going to the woods for your camping trips and you haven’t done so before, be sure to test it out to see if you’ll like it first. Pitch your tent right up in the sanctuary of your very own backyard, and sleep there for the entire night. Do not let yourself go indoors for anything! If the night is fun, you are ready to head to the wilderness!
Try to keep your tent well ventilated and dry. If your tent is completed sealed, you will find that condensation will accumulate on the sides of the tent from breathing and perspiration. This can make you wake up soaked. To avoid moisture build up in your tent, open the door or window in your tent.
If snakes are native to your campground area, ensure your campsite is snake-proof. Stay away from brush and wood piles. Boots, clothing and bags should be checked to make sure that a snake has not found its way into them. Your tent must be kept sealed and the edges of it packed with earth to keep snakes from going under the tent.
Toilet paper is an important item to bring with you on your camping excursion. While you could certainly “rough it” and use leaves, there’s not really a good reason to torture yourself when wipes and toilet paper are easily transported.
Set up your shelter while it is still light. Once the sun goes down, it is more difficult to set up a tent, prepare your campfire area or make sure your food is secure. It’s easier to build your nightly shelter while you have plenty of light to help you see what you’re doing.
Hopefully, reading these ideas has made you well prepared for planning your trip. You may have noticed that it takes the same amount of planning whether you are going for a weekend or a week. Start planning now for that upcoming trip, and you’ll be glad you did.
When you are planning meals for a camping trip, search through old recipes. The same few meals will quickly grow boring when you are out in the woods. It is possible to create some variety. These simple recipes can make it a fun and enjoyable experience for your friends or family. Do not forget to bring along your favorite seasonings and spices.
