Are you planning a camping trip? Are you ready for some of the most basic things that may be thrown your way while camping? While most things that come with camping are pretty basic, it’s always important to take a moment ahead of time to brief yourself. You can find some helpful tips below.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. 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 being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
It is important to remember that getting dirty is inevitable. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can get back to normal after returning home.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. You can go back to normal when you go home.
Let your loved ones help you pick 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. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! Make a list of your favorites and allow the family to vote.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Double check your medical insurance. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods. Make sure that they get acquainted with different camping activities such as fishing and pitching the tent. Teach them these things ahead of time to ensure a great trip.
Lint Filter
If your intended camping destination is known for its prowling wildlife, take more than enough precautions to secure food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Have you just bought your first tent and want to begin camping? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This will ensure that you understand how the tent is to be set up and taken down. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
Don’t go far from home during your first couple of camping trips. You don’t want to be far away if you decide you’ve had enough of camping, or if you have problems with your equipment. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. There are a lot of different things that can come about and being closer to home will make it a lot easier.
Be prepared for anything when you go camping. While it is vital to come up with a plan, sometimes things happen that were not in your plans. Weather conditions may abruptly change for the worse, someone could get sick or injured, along with a number of other possible mishaps. It’s vital to everyone’s well being that no severe risks are taken and that all safety precautions are heeded.
Choose a proper sleeping bag for your camping conditions. For example, there are lightweight sleeping bag for warm weather and heavy sleeping bags for colder weather. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. You can avoid dead batteries by installing them in the flashlight backwards until you need the light. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Watch your children at all times. There are cars that pull in and out of campsites, and of course, young children can quickly and easily get lost in the woods. Make sure your children are always supervised because mishaps can happen quickly.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. There are times when it is important to be able to see clearly in the dark. Make sure areas are well-lit to avoid falls or animal issues. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
Be aware of where your campsite is. You should avoid setting up near any insect breeding grounds like wasp’s nest and beehives. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. Also, insect repellent is a great device to use while camping.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Lightweight sleeping bags tend to work better in warmer weather and heavyweight sleeping bags tend to work better in colder weather. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These two items can keep you from ending a trip abruptly and handling many situations swiftly and easily. You may be able to keep an emergency from going from bad to worse.
Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. Carrying these items can help a situation stay safe, rather than turning very harmful or even fatal.
Reading a map and using a compass are two things that should be done before heading out for a camping trip. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. To avoid a potential tragedy, carry a map and compass with you.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. The difference between each experience all comes down to how prepared you are. When you try to consider all the issues that may arise, you can enjoy your trip with piece of mind.
Clean up your campsite before going home. Bring enough garbage bags for all the trash. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. The thing to keep in mind as you prepare to go home is that the only sign of your stay in the woods should be your own footprints.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Although the camp site may be a familiar one, there may have been changes since your last visit and you could still get lost. Avoid problems by learning to use these items that can save your life.
What do you plan to eat on your camping trip? You should figure this out before you leave home so you can carry the correct supplies with you. Also, take the necessary supplies on your trip to facilitate cooking.
When you put up your tent, seal the tent seams the best you can. If you tent did not include a tube of sealer, you can find it at sporting goods stores. Sealing the seams of your tent will prevent any insects or water from getting inside.
Follow proper food safety guidelines when you go camping. Pack your foods in bags or containers that are airtight and waterproof. Insulated coolers are best for keeping food. Cooked food should be kept separate from raw in order to prevent cross-contamination. Before you handle your food, clean your hands properly with soap or other sanitizers, and clean the food prep surfaces. Cook all food to safe temperatures, and chill foods as soon as they cool down.
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. They think this is a convenience for them, but they find out differently. The bathroom areas are light sources and draw a great deal of traffic. This location can result in excess noise and nuisance.
After reading this article, know there are some things to consider for your next camping trip. Camping is all about relaxing and enjoying yourself, but you need to be prepared. Have a most amazing time and ensure that you put this information to good use while away.
Stick with food safety when you camp. Pack foods in airtight bags and containers that are waterproof. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Prevent cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods by storing them separately. Using hand sanitizer or soap, keep hands and prep surfaces clean when dealing with food. Cook foods to proper temperatures and chill foods quickly.
