Does the idea of taking a camping trip intimidate you due to your lack of experience? Don’t let your fears prevent you from having fun. A little confidence and some good advice should help you on your way. You are at the right place for that. Read the following article for some great camping tips.
Always find your shelter before it gets dark when you go camping. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Openly talk about the various options available to you. Try to keep a small list, as there is such an abundance of spots to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. You could even experience hypothermia.
Survival Kit
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. Setting the proper regulations in advance can help to combat this. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Make sure your survival kit is available on a constant basis. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. This kit may keep you alive if you are lost and these items are indispensable for a survival situation. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. 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.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. 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!
Attend a class in first aid; this is a really good idea if you are camping with children. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Be sure to research beforehand. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. It can help you out if something happens and your tent gets torn somehow. You can fix leaks on inflatable beds, tape up shoes, seal up any bug netting, and a lot more.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Some policies don’t cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
Before you go camping in a new place, it is essential to have an understanding of what dangers are located there. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Every campsite can have its own dangers.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. This means a safe parking place for RV campers. When you find a camping area, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. There are many unexpected problems you may encounter the first time you go camping, so stay close to home.
If the area you are camping in is known for dangerous wildlife, you will need to be doubly careful with food storage. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the location. Hot weather calls for a lightweight bag, while heavier bags are needed for colder temperatures. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
Prior to leaving for a camping journey, be sure to draft a list of necessary supplies. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Orange peels may protect you from mosquitoes. If you forgot to bring your favorite brand of mosquito repellant, this remedy might save you from some discomfort. Seasoned campers suggest that you can rub your skin with the inside of an ripe orange peel. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.
Be certain to have multiple lanterns or flashlights handy as well as additional batteries. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. If you have children with you on your camping trip, a smart thing to do is to give each of them a flashlight.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. Should you lose track of your children at some point during your camping trip, having a picture handy could make a world of difference. This is particularly useful if you will be camping somewhere far from where you live.
Sleeping Bag
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.
Pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the camping climate. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. You may also want to bring a couple of extra batteries in case one runs out. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
Two essential piece of camping gear are your first aid kit and your survival kit. Without them, you may need to finish your camping trip earlier than you would like. A first aid kit helps to prevent situations from becoming serious, and it allows you to help family or friends until medical help arrives.
Pack wisely and carefully. A checklist of all supplies can help you be sure that you have everything you need as you are packing. This is key if you plan to visit a far away spot that is not likely to offer fist aid or other critical supplies.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. The difference between each experience all comes down to how prepared you are. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
Set up camp before the sun goes down. It’s hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
Pack carefully and wisely. Create a supply checklist for your trip and check off each item as it’s being packed. This is something you should strive to do if you are camping in a secluded spot, away from first-aid or emergency amenities.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. You can avoid things going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
While it may sound obvious, don’t forget to pack the toilet paper when you head out for a camping trip. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. Leaves can be dangerous alternatives to toilet paper, so don’t forget it.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. When food is not properly preserved, it can increase the risk of becoming spoiled and make you sick. Bring a lot of ice, and don’t forget to drain your cooler.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the season. In the summer you want to have a light, cool bag. However, you’ll need a heavyweight sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.
Always do everything possible to stay safe while on a camping trip. Stay away from all large animals and most small ones as well. You may be surprised at just how dangerous little critters can be. Obviously, if you see bears, do not feed them.
Now that you have read these tips, you should be prepared for any outdoor adventure. It doesn’t matter if you want to go far away or just enjoy your backyard, because you now have the learning tools you need. You may find that you will enjoy the pleasures of camping more often.
Remember food safety when you go camping. Place food in sealed containers so it does not come in contact with water. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Raw food should be kept separate from cooked food as a way to prevent contamination. Also keep you hands clean with soap or water-free cleaner before you handle food. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.