Are you planning a camping trip? Are you prepared for the common things that may happen to you while you’re camping? While you may think you know the basics, it is never a waste of time to become familiar with some great camping ideas. The information below will help you to plan.
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Going camping can get really dirty. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. Therefore, you will need to understand that a clean trip is probably out of the question. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Remember, always be prepared!
Gets Dark
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If an accident happens, you will have the knowledge that you need to make the situation better until you can get medical help. Make sure you do the proper research. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. That is particularly true if you aren’t used to the blackness of the wilderness. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Camping is fun for children, but make sure to plan out some extra activities they will like. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. They probably aren’t used to camping activities such as pitching a tent or fishing. Teach them about these activities prior to leaving.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. Don’t take a heavy sleeping bag out in the summer, it could make you sweat and be uncomfortable all night long. On the other hand, bringing a lightweight sleeping bap for a winter trip can make you really uncomfortable the entire trip. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may not have enough food, or realize that you didn’t pack the right clothing. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. To avoid drained batteries, store your flashlights with the batteries backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. You can prevent accidents, such as falling or coming face-to-face with wild animals, if you have enough light available. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Emergency Kit
Have the clothing you will pack planned out before your trip. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. You should also make sure that you pack suitable clothes for the weather forecast and activities planned. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. This emergency kit changes depending on the place you go camping, but you have to be certain it has the basic tools. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving your car or campsite. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. A cell is the most important tool you have in an emergency, so be sure it works.
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. This means wrapping things up tightly, keeping them far from your tent, and avoiding some types of food completely. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Two essential piece of camping gear are your first aid kit and your survival kit. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short. You can keep a potentially serious injury from getting worse until you can get help for the injured person.
Make sure your sleeping bag is fit for the environment in which you are going to camp. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. The key difference? Preparation. Being ready to tackle any situation that may arise will allow you to have an enjoyable trip.
Don’t take your eyes of children while camping. People may be driving around the campsites, and it’s also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they’re not familiar with an area. It doesn’t take more than a minute for something unexpected to happen.
Start setting up camp well before dark. It’s very hard to set up your tent when it’s dark outside. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It is so much easier to erect your tent and organize your camping area before sunset.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. This skill can potentially save your life.
Thanks to the information you read above, you are surely in a better position to have a great camping experience the next time you go. Camping doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal, but there are things you need to prepare for. Remember the included information and have the time of your life camping.
After your trip, be certain you leave the campsite cleaner than it was when you found it. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Also, it’s important to take all food with you when you leave too. The only thing you want left are your footprints when you are gone.
