If camping is something that you have never done, you have no idea what you are missing out on. Nothing beats going out to live in nature with others for a few days. This article can help assuage any fears you have about camping.
When camping, get your shelter squared away before nightfall. Once it is dark in the woods, pitching a tent can be next to impossible, finding firewood can be difficult and preparing food hard. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. Accidents happen, and taking the right precautions will ensure you know how to better a poor situation. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. This will also allow you to feel more comfortable about setting up the tent later.
Camping is a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous; the difference between the two is preparation. Make sure you always go camping only after preparing yourself fully. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Don’t fear that you are overpacking for your kids on a camping trip. Camping can be a bit messy. Kids are always attracted to dirt. As the day moves along, your children are going to get really messy. By packing a few extra changes of clothes, your children can be presentable at dinner. Be prepared for dirty clothes and dirty children by packing extra clothes.
You can go swimming at the same time that you camp! You might long for a good shower when you are camping. When swimming, you will feel refreshed and cleaner. If you use some biodegradable soap, you can get just as clean as you would at home.
When buying a tent, be sure that it’s large enough to accommodate you and any guests you have. Being stuffed into a tent can make it almost impossible to get any sleep, and you certainly do not want to be stepping on people if you have to get out during the night.
Oranges taste great, but they can also help keep mosquitoes away from you. Save the orange peels and rub them into your exposed skin. Insects will stay away from you for an affordable price.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
When first getting involved with camping, start out close to home. You could experience a number of problems, such as equipment failure, and wish to cut the trip short. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. The first time, you should camp at close to home in the event of an emergency.
Emergency kits are a good thing to have prepared for any camping trip. Depending on the location, the kit may have extra items, but the basic items should be there. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Make sure you bring the right things when you go camping. If you forget a key item, it can destroy the vacation. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. The most basic requirements are a tent, water, sleeping bag, an all-purpose knife, food, matches and soap.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. Find a piece of ground that’s flat and dry if you are putting up a tent. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. It will also allow prevent the frustration of not being able to see while setting up your equipment.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You do not want to forget essential items. Use a check list that you can use to double check, to be sure that you have everything before you leave home.
Plan ahead and make sure your flashlight batteries have full power before you leave for a camping trip. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Make sure that you are aware of the perils around the camping site that you choose. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Every campsite can have its own dangers.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
If you are not a seasoned camper, stay close to home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. If you are staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
Did you just purchase a new tent for your trip? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. This also means that you can do it rather easily and speedily when you get to your campsite, meaning your tent might be up before the sun is totally gone.

Know where your kids are at all times. You have to be sure they don’t wander off into the woods. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. You will need a light source to see clearly once the sun sinks in the sky. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. If everything was packed but you didn’t remember the bug spray, don’t worry! Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This should effectively repel mosquitoes for hours.
Be careful and wise when you are packing. Compile a checklist of things that you need for your trip, then check the items off on the list as you add them to your bags. This is very important if you’re camping in some remote region without quick access to first-aid items or any other emergency supplies.
Camping Trip
Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. A film container makes a great storage place for matches.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. Make sure you’ll have clean clothes to wear every day. Make sure that you have the correct types of clothes for your camping trip. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. You may be camping in an area that doesn’t offer toilets, so you will need to find other places to go to the bathroom. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.
Keep an eye out on your camping area. Try to steer clear of wasp nests or other pest havens. Granted, even if you are cautious, you should still protect yourself from insects using long garments to keep them off of your skin. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. In the winter, thicker bags are necessary to keep you warm.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
What do you plan to eat on your camping trip? You will have to decide whether you will grill, fry or even bake your food so you know what supplies to bring. Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but it isn’t so easy if you don’t have the right supplies.
Utility knives are great to have when camping. It is even better if you have more than one. A utility knife is very convenient to carry while you are camping, so make sure to bring a spare in case one is lost.
Food safety should be maintained while you are on your trip. Use the correct containers to pack and store food in. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Keep your raw food away from cooked foods. Also keep you hands clean with soap or water-free cleaner before you handle food. Ensure that you heat food thoroughly and keep perishable items chilled at all times.
Pack carefully and wisely. Keep a checklist of the things you need and check them off as you collect and pack them. This is very important if you’re going to a far away place that doesn’t have first aid supplies or thing you’ll need when an emergency arises.
Keep your tent dry and ventilated. When sleeping in your fully sealed tent, condensation will build on the walls and your sleeping bag. You may end up waking to unpleasant dampness. In a tent, you can crack doors, windows or vents to help you avoid buildup of moisture and give yourself a crossbreeze.
Duct Tape
When you are going camping for a longer time, be certain to bring activities for entertaining yourself. Try to limit the number of electronics you take and instead bring a book, deck of cards and fishing pole to make it easier to enjoy the nature around you.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
Be certain to bring water purification materials. Even if you think you’ve brought enough water or you plan to boil water that you collect, you could easily exhaust your supply or run short on time. Read the instructions carefully before you leave, and you might want to try one of the tablets out in water to test out the taste. To remain properly hydrated, you need to drink plenty of water, so before you leave on your trip, make sure that the tablets you choose do not give the water a taste so unpleasant that you will not drink it.
One tip that every camper would be wise to use is to bring along some baby wipes and toilet paper. Although you could use leaves to clean yourself after going to the toilet, there really is no need to do so when baby wipes and toilet paper are for sale at almost all stores.
If you are camping along a stream or river, always set up your bathroom area downstream. By doing this, the water that flows past the campsite will be clean. Relieve yourself at least one hundred yards from your campgrounds.
With the right information, it’s easy to plan a great camping trip. By using the advice you’ve gathered here, you’ll be a camping pro. No matter where you are headed, your trip will be truly memorable.
A few essential supplies to pack prior to camping are batteries and flashlights, matches, hats and small toiletries. It can be tough to go to the bathroom in the night, so you definitely need matches and flashlights. Hats are great for sun protection and keeping messy hair hidden, while your toiletries will allow you stay somewhat clean.