Oh the joys of camping! Taking time out to appreciate nature is a great way to spend time with your family or just with yourself. Camping is a terrific way to commune with nature, though it is important to understand a fair bit about it first. Examine these following tips so you can make the best of your trip.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Talk about where you want to camp. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Remember to carry it with you and do not leave it in your camp.
Build yourself a survival kit; keep it with you anywhere you go while camping. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. Always keep it nearby and never leave it behind at the campsite.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. You can find the average weather during a season for almost any location online. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
Pack additional clothes when going camping. Camping can be messy. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Stay ahead of the game!
Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. Something small and lightweight is appropriate, like candy or some cream for coffee. Small luxuries can make things more enjoyable!
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
While kids often have fun when camping, make sure to make plans to keep them entertained. If you are just sitting in the woods, they will end up bored. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Show them how to do these things before you leave if they haven’t spent a lot of times outdoors.
A jungle breakfest is a great way to add excitement to your trip. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. When the kids awake, you can tell them to “hunt” for breakfast. This makes the trip even more magical for kids.
When you are camping, pack enough of the right kinds of food. You don’t want to take food with you that will spoil easily, no matter the length of time of your trip. You don’t want to get food poisoning, so you want food that doesn’t spoil easily. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. When camping, you might find yourself missing your 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!
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. It is versatile at camp, just like at home. This can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. They can be used as padding or for warmth.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Collect some lint from your clothes dryer to bring with you. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. Just grab your bag of dryer lint and go on camping day.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Your camping trip will be ruined if you get food poisoning. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.
Don’t take your eyes of children while camping. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. Things happen very quickly and your kids should be supervised.
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. Tape also does wonders for blisters by offering an additional layer of protection. It even works as a bandage.
Select your campsite carefully. Don’t set up camp near wasps or other insect homes. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. You should also have insect repellent.
It is important to be prepared while camping. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. They can be used as padding or for warmth.
One great suggestion for any camping trip is to pack a second utility knife. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.
Have the clothing you will pack planned out before your trip. This way you’ll have enough clean clothing for your trip. Also, make sure you’re taking along clothes that work with whatever the weather will be where you are camping. Make sure to pack a good pair of shoes to hike in as well.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Cell Phone
Learn how to use a compass or read a map, beforehand. If you are lost, this skill can help you to navigate back to your destination. You can avoid things going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. You might want to bring an extra battery as well just in case your original runs low. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. Rather than using leaves as a substitute, just bring your own toilet paper.
Don’t forget to bring first aid and survival kits. 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.
Have you thought about how you are going to prepare food when you are camping? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. Without the right items, preparing food over the open flame can be difficult.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. If there are no restrooms in your camp area, you must go in the woods. It is best not to use something from nature to clean yourself, so toilet paper will come in handy.
When you go camping, dress in layers. Sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. Just as quickly, evening can become cold again. Layers of clothes will reduce the impact of the cold on your body.
Camping is activity that is a perennial favorite for a fun packed vacation experience, but to make it a happy a safe adventure, a little bit of planning can go a long way. This article has hopefully helped you rediscover your love for nature and helped plan your next outing.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. Campfires and marshmallows are not the only things to do on a camping trip. Be creative and think of activities that will be fun for each family member. Take everyone into consideration when you’re making your camping trip plans.