Camping is such a delight! It is a wonderful pastime that can bring families and friends closer to nature and each other. Camping is the best way to explore the great outdoors, but it can be a mysterious subject. Use these tips to get more from your experience.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Use your time in nature to enjoy the chance to be a little messy. After all, you can be normal at home.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Don’t let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Talk about where you want to camp. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. If it is the simpler option, try picking a few you favor and letting your whole family vote on them.
Sleeping Bag
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. Try bringing something portable and lightweight, like a candy bar or some cream for your coffee. Comforts from home can really spice up the rustic outdoors!
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You might even contract hypothermia.
Oranges are not only a healthy snack to take on a camping trip, but they are also versatile when used as a mosquito repellent. After you have eaten the orange, rub the peel onto exposed body parts and this will repel any blood-sucking bugs.
Learn to set up your tent prior to leaving on your trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. You will be able to see the area better before nightfall and become familiar with it. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. You can’t avoid the dirt, but some extra clothes will help out. There is nothing like being prepared!
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. Make sure you do the proper research. Find out what poisonous snakes or dangerous animals live in the area.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. Some examples of dangers are flash floods or poisonous spiders. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. The Internet is a great resource for finding weather related information for the area you will be camping in. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
Packing key essentials is necessary for good camping. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. Take the time to create a list that can be checked off while you pack. Make sure that you bring a lot of water, knives, soaps and food on your camping trip for safety.
Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. The thing people tend to miss most while camping is the convenience of their home shower. The coolness of water while swimming is refreshing on hot days, and it helps you to clean yourself. You might not miss the shower after all!
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. You can safeguard the power by slipping the batteries in backwards in the flashlight cylinder. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
Bring things like a bandanna and handkerchief along with you. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. If you’re close to a lot of plants and things, long sleeved shirts and long pants should be worn to protect you from bugs. You should bring insect repellant along.
No matter how rough and tough your camping plans, bring along a small bit of luxury to add an elegant touch to your camping trip. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
Bring a good utility knife when you camp. A utility knife is very convenient to carry while you are camping, so make sure to bring a spare in case one is lost.
If you do not plan ahead, your camping trip could turn into a disaster, rather than an amazing adventure. Hopefully, you have found what you need in this article to start preparing for you trip, so it can be as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
Duct tape is an important piece of camping equipment. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. Duct tape can help you to sleep in peace at night, and is very inexpensive.