Camping provides a truly fun time for the whole family! You can learn a lot about yourself when you camp, and it allows you to appreciate nature more. You can hike or build a campfire. The list of things to do while camping is great, and this article has tips to make your camping trip more enjoyable.
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
Sleeping Bag
When you’re getting a brand new tent for your camping trip, take it out and set it up at home before you go camping. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. This kind of “dry run” also helps lower your frustration level when setting up the tent at the campsite
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Build yourself a survival kit; keep it with you anywhere you go while camping. This kit should feature a survival knife, waterproof matches, tablets for purifying water, a flare gun, and a first-aid kit. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your campsite.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Simply use a plastic grocery sack to collect each new crop of lint. By doing this, you’ll be able to collect the kindling on the day you’re taking the trip.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping is messy business. Kids are seriously attracted to the dirt. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. Though this is inevitable, having extra clothes on hand is always smart. Stay ahead of the game!
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. Having extras like anti-venom is a good defense for certain kinds of wildlife.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Also, do your research. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
Even the most natural experience can allow for one nice luxury from home. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. These things can help to keep you happy and make your trip more enjoyable.
Make sure to have an idea of the weather before starting your trip. You may even be able to find a website that gives you a general idea of the normal weather patterns in that area. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Don’t forget to include special pillows made just for camping on your adventure. The typical pillows will become sticky in hot and humid climates. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
A bandanna or a handkerchief can be beneficial to bring on your trip. These can be used in a pinch if you need a potholder, towel or even something to carry an item in. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. The last thing you need is to forget something essential like your tent or sleeping bag. Be sure you double check everything you’re taking and create a checklist prior to taking off so you’re sure everything is there.
Make sure that your camp site is complete before night breaks. If you’re driving an RV, find a safe parking spot. If you are camping in a tent, look for a dry and flat area of ground. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. It could be that you didn’t pack enough food or your clothing is not warm enough. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. Forgetting something crucial like your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not something you want to happen. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. Making sure to do this, will lessen any chance of a wild animal attack.
Before you plan to camp in an new area, it is important to be aware of any dangers commonly found there. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
Are you a new camper with a brand new tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This will allow you take an inventory of all the necessary equipment needed to set up the tent. This can help you finish it quickly if you get to the campsite prior to it getting dark.
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. Tape can be used to seal holes in your sleeping mattress. Also, it can help to seal any tears, which can make your item usable for the duration of your trip. It can be used on feet to help fight off blisters during long hikes. It can also be used in lieu of bandages.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Weather conditions may abruptly change for the worse, someone could get sick or injured, along with a number of other possible mishaps. Do not be careless, because this can get in the way of you having fun.
Are you a new camper with a brand new tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
When you show up to go camping, pitch your tent wherever you can find flat and soft ground. Pitching your tent on bumpy, rocky ground or on a slope won’t make for a very comfortable night’s sleep. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you’re camping. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare batteries when you go camping. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Even after the sun is gone, you may need to see. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. You may want to get each child a flashlight of his or her own if you’re taking kids on your camping trip.
Always take along a survival and first aid kit when you’re going camping. These can be useful for any situation and can extend your trip. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
Make sure to carry a utility knife with you when you are camping. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. Whether it goes well or not is usually determined by how prepared you are. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
It is imperative that a first-aid kit and other survival items never be forgotten for a camping trip. These kits can help to reduce the impact of injuries on your trip. This is a great way to avoid a situation getting out of control.
Seal all of your tent’s seams when erecting your tent. If you tent did not include a tube of sealer, you can find it at sporting goods stores. By doing this, you will prevent wayward animals or rain from making it inside.
Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. If your tent has damage, duct tape can be used to fixed it so you do not have to worry about getting wet at night.
Food poisoning is a common ailment while camping. Preserve the food by vacuum sealing or canning it to prevent food poisoning on long camping trips. Make sure there is plenty of ice in the cooler for perishables, and do not fail to drain the cooler regularly to prevent soaking the food.
Don’t forget the toilet paper. If there are no restrooms in your area, you will need to go out in nature. It is not advisable to use leaves, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
Camping Trip
Stick with food safety when you camp. Place food in sealed containers so it does not come in contact with water. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Cooked foods should always be kept away from raw foods so they don’t become contaminated. Use hand sanitizer and soap to keep hands, as well as preparation surfaces, clean while you are handling food. Cook foods to the right internal temperature and get foods that need to be cold chilled quickly.
Now you should be ready to conquer your next camping excursion with these tips. Be sure to remember these tips for the next camping trip. By implementing some of the ideas featured in this article during your next camping trip, you are bound to have the experience of a lifetime.
Your tent should be dry and well ventilated. When you’re sleeping in a fully sealed tent, the condensation will build up everywhere just from you sweating and sleeping. You might wake up wet if this happens. Tents usually have built-in vents, windows, or doors that can be cracked to prevent moisture buildup and create a cross-breeze.