Camping is a wonderful escape from the routines of daily life. You can just sit, soak in all that nature has to offer, and forget about the rest. The piece below offers great advice for your next camping journey.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Review your health insurance policy. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
Make sure that you both carry a survival kit and then get in the habit of always having it with you. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. By doing this, you’ll be able to collect the kindling on the day you’re taking the trip.
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Camping can be a bit messy. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. Take extra clothing with you for your children. Be sure you’re prepared!
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. If you are in an RV, park it safely. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on 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. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.
Make sure to bring duct tape on your camping trip to fix almost any problem. It is great for patching your tent, repairing your shoes, fixing your insect netting and various other tasks.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Bring some packaged foods, beverage boxes and even fruits, then tie them to trees near the campsite. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. It adds some fun to camping.
Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. You can not afford to forget an important item like your sleeping bag or your tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. This involves finding out which spiders are dangerous, whether flash floods are commonplace and whether there are any sheer drops nearby. Every camping area has its dangers.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. Maybe you will find out that there isn’t enough food or clean clothes to continue. Many issues can occur for new campers, so you should camp near home your first time.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. When camping with children, give each child a flashlight.
When you bring a canine along on a camping trip, don’t forget his leash and to keep a close eye on him always. There are those who have a fear of dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Additionally, dogs can wreak a lot of havoc on a campsite if they are not supervised properly.
It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. It is an even better idea to bring extra batteries as an emergency backup. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
Are you a first time camper who has just bought your very first sleeping tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This lets you get it done before night falls.
Prepare for camping by packing smart. Have a checklist on hand and cross your items off the list as you add them to your pack. This is crucial if you are camping in an area that is remote and has limited access to emergency assistance.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. Also remember to put down a tarp underneath your tent as an extra layer of protection from water.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It is very hard to set up a tent when it’s dark. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. It is best to do this before dark so you can put it up correctly.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Having a roll of grey duct tape is a good idea when camping. Tents can get torn in spite of the increased durability of the newer ones. 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.
Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. This is crucial when traveling to a campground. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. You can get lost in the woods even if you have been to the area before. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.
Sleeping Bags
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. As a result, camper privacy and enjoyment can be seriously impacted.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
If you are interested in camping in the woods but have never done so before, there is a quick way to test if you will enjoy it or not. Pitch a tent in your backyard and spend an evening out there. Forbid yourself from entering the house. If this becomes a fun night for you, then you will love camping.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
One of the most important things to include in packing for your camping trip is a basic first aid kit. The kit has to have in it everything you need in an emergency situation. Things like medication, snake precautions, bandages, and other essentials must be in the emergency kit. While camping is generally a safe activity, accidents can occur and it always pays to be prepared.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
Always bring toilet paper and baby wipes when you go camping. Although you can tough it out and use leaves, you can make it easier on yourself and buy bathroom tissue or baby wipes at the local store.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. Pitching tents in the dark can be almost impossible. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. 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 an ample supply of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important when camping. Find sunscreen that offers good coverage. It would be even better to get a sunscreen that also has bug protection. This can minimize the amount of chemicals you are putting on your skin daily.
As silly as it may seem, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you camp in a place with no toilets, you’ll need to go in the woods. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
Learn about the poisonous plants in the area you will be camping before you leave. Poisonous plants look a lot like everyday plants you’ll find around the forest, unless you know what you are looking for. It’s easy to find books on identifying poisonous plants or you can simply go online and research them. This can help you to prepare in advance to avoid any infection.
Camping can be a perfectly glorious pastime. Doing so lets you unplug from society and enjoy nature. The ideas presented within this article can make your future camping outing a memorable time.
When you are planning meals for a camping trip, search through old recipes. You will get tired of eating hot dogs or hamburgers the whole time if you have nothing else to cook. Mix it up! Pick quick recipes that you can make outdoors for more variety with your camping meals. Bring along a few spices to dress up meals, as well.
