Are you thinking about going camping? Whether you want to spend a week in the wilderness or just a night at the local campground, it is essential to have a plan. The following advice can make any camping trip more relaxing and fun.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
It’s imperative that you pitch your tent before the sun goes down. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t burn. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
When going camping you need to ensure that the tent you build can easily hold you and anybody else that comes along. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Review your health insurance policy. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. If you go someplace new, research wildlife and research the weather and geography.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. Using this method, you can acquire kindling and camp in the same day.
It’s important that you make an effort to ensure that all camping gear you will need is packed before you leave to go camping. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Camping Pillows
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. It only takes a few minutes of going online to look at photos of plants they should avoid, such as poison ivy or other such things, to make sure your camping venture is free from common mishaps.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Camping pillows are coated to prevent this from happening, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. You don’t want to bring a lot of food that will easily spoil. You don’t want to get food poisoning, so you want food that doesn’t spoil easily. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. There are going to be moments when you must clearly see certain items when it gets dark. Sufficient light can help you avoid falling or bumping into to animals. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
Always watch your kids closely. Cars constantly come and go at campsites, and kids can quickly lose their way in the woods. In no time, your children could be harmed, so always keep a watchful eye on them.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. It is a great idea to bring one flashlight for each person, especially when camping with children.
Utility Knife
Keep an eye out on your camping area. One thing to consider is whether or not there are insect nests in the space in which you want to set up. 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. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.
Maintain food safety on your camping trip. Foods should be packed in airtight and waterproof containers. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Keep food contamination low by separating raw and cooked foods. Wash your hands and any surfaces when preparing food. Make sure that you cook all foods to appropriate temperatures, and then chill them as soon as you can.
You must always pack a survival kit and first aid kit. These can be useful for any situation and can extend your trip. Your kit can also prevent situations from becoming worse and make it easier to get an individual in need to safety.
When you are camping, it is vital to make sure tent has good ventilation and stays dry. If your tent is sealed tightly, it will create condensation on not only the tent, but also on items in the tent. This can cause you to wake up wet. In a tent, you can crack doors, windows or vents to help you avoid buildup of moisture and give yourself a crossbreeze.
Make sure that you pack strategically and efficiently when you go on a camping trip. Prepare a list of supplies, and use this to check off items as they are packed. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
Shower Curtain
Take time to learn map and compass reading. Even if you know what your campsite is like, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. Using a map or compass can actually save your life if you’re lost. Learn to use them so that you don’t suffer a tragic fate.
You can use a shower curtain in place of a tarp under your tent. You can also use it to cover the ground when you wash dishes or yourself to control the direction of the dirty water. Whenever you replace a shower curtain, simply launder the old one, and stow it away with your camping gear for your next outdoor adventure.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. If the food that you pack for camping is not canned, vacuum sealed or preserved, you exposing yourself to the possibility of experiencing food poisoning from eating spoiled food. Make use of an abundance of ice so that your foods stay fresh and make sure to remove the cooler’s drain plug to prevent soaking of your items.
Toilet paper is an important item to bring with you on your camping excursion. Sure, you may be able to use leaves or something natural, but there’s no reason to torment yourself when you can find toilet paper or baby wipes at most stores.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the season. Choose a lighter bag for summer months, as an example. However, you’ll need a heavyweight sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.
Always bring lots of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important. Find sunscreen that offers good coverage. Ideally, you may want to look for a sunscreen that provides protection from bugs at the same time. You certainly don’t want to be smothered in stinky, irritating chemicals while meandering about in the woods.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. They might think this will make things easier, but they will learn otherwise. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Look at some fast recipes before you go camping. Back-to-back days of eating nothing but hot dogs and hamburgers can get pretty tiresome. Mix things up a bit and make something fun. Look for easy-to-prepare recipes that you can cook outdoors. Bring along a few spices to dress up meals, as well.
When packing for a camping trip, remember to pack something entertaining. Books, board games, a guitar or some music are all great options to bring along.
Don’t forget items for a pet that camps with you. Restraints are necessary in case other animals appear. It is advisable to also pack a leash. Be sure all of their licensing and vaccinations are up-to-date too. Bring along food, bowls and clean water. Always clean up, and throw things away properly.
Don’t forget the lint! If might sound odd, but lint can help you start a campfire. The lint can make fire that burns brighter than one created with sticks or wood chips. You just need to use some lint with a spark, and you can enjoy a nice, warm fire.
Fire safety must be a priority when you camp. Learn the safest way to set up a fire ring, and learn how to control the ring if it should get too high or too hot. Keep a pail or two of water nearby in case you need to douse the fire quickly. Act fast to get it under control and never leave it burning when you are not at the site.
Make sure that your camping supplies include sufficient food and water. If your campsite is known to have an abundance of bears, be certain to store all food away from your sleeping area. If it is safe to do so, burn garbage so that bears do not follow the smell of food to your campsite.
Talk to your doctor before you go camping if you have a medical issue for safety. You could suffer from complications that you had not considered. You should take every possible precaution to prevent disaster and assure yourself of a great camping vacation.
Know about fire safety when camping. Learn how to set up a secure and safe fire ring. Always have water available to extinguish fires if they start to get out of control or become larger than you meant them to be. You should have water in pails for dousing fires. Stay on top of the fire; don’t leave it lit while away from your site.
You should now know how to plan and prepare for your next trip. Your planning process should remain about the same regardless of the length of your trip. Start planning for your next trip, and you will soon appreciate the time you have spent researching for it.
Never fail to bring extra food and clothes along when going on a camping trip. It is really best to have both in the event of an emergency. You need to be able to cope with any unexpected situation, such as bad weather or delayed departures.
