Camping is a great way to escape from the “real world”. Camping gives you the opportunity to experience nature firsthand and temporarily forget about all of your worries. The article that follows has some tips that can help you prepare for a trip that you’ll never forget.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Talk over what your destination state should be. The options are plenty, so do your research! Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. This will make everyone feel invested. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Use serving sized boxes of cereal, pieces of fruit and juice boxes and tie them to trees near your campsite. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
Double check your medical insurance. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. Always be prepared.
A roll of duct tape is a very important piece of camping equipment. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Your children can then hunt these foods when they wake up. This can add some magic to their camping trip.
Kids like camping, but they need structured activities. If you are camping in the deep woods, far from anything familiar, kids can become bored. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. If they have not spent much time outdoors, show them the basics before you leave.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. When pitching a tent, locate dry and flat ground. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
If a pet accompanies you to the campground, do not just let him or her run free. Some people fear dogs. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Duct Tape
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. It is great for patching your tent, repairing your shoes, fixing your insect netting and various other tasks.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. You will surely find it necessary to illuminate things once night falls. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. Camping pillows, on the other hand, possess a protective coating that prevents that from happening.
Keep an eye out on your camping area. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other 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.
Know what dangers await you at your camping destination. This refers to things like dangerous fauna, geography and climate. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. It’s likely that you’ll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. They stay fresh for a while, so you do not have to worry about them going bad if you do not use them up right away.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. A lot of people have a fear of dogs. It is important that you respect others while you are camping. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Use airtight container to hold the matches. You can add paraffin to regular matches, or even nail polish for a homemade waterproof match. A film container makes a great storage place for matches.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you are going camping with children, you need to make sure that you bring a lot of things to keep them entertained during the trip.
When setting up a tent, ensure that the seams are all sealed. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. This will keep any critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. This will reduce the chance of an attack.
Clean up your campsite before going home. Get some trash bags and clean up your mess. Do not leave any left over food behind. When you leave your campsite, the only thing you should leave are your footprints.
Though camping is meant to emphasize minimalism, some carefully chosen supplies can make all the difference. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. This is useful for nights where the temperature gets too cold or as extra padding when sleeping on hard ground.
Choose a sleeping bag that is made for the time of year you will be camping. For instance, if it is summer, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. When it’s wintertime, it’s a good idea to get a thicker bag so you’re not too cold.
Going camping is a wonderful way to use your time. It enables you to leave the hectic real world and be one with nature. Apply the tips you’ve just read, and your upcoming camping trip will be an unforgettable one.
Keep safety at the front of your mind. Make sure to avoid all bears and larger wildlife in the wilderness. Small animals can pose a threat if they feel they are in danger. Obviously, if you see bears, do not feed them.
