Camping is a great activity that is often shard with family and friends. Surprisingly, many people never give it a try because they are intimidated by the prospect. You just have to know what you are doing. Keep reading for camping advice that will turn you into an eager camper in no time.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Let everyone know they have a say in the campsite and should help pick a favorite spot. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote.
While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.
Don’t be afraid to over-pack for your children. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Stay ahead of the game!
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you are prepared for that before you go, it will cause less stress when it happens. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. You can get cleaned up when you return home.
Be certain that your tent has enough space for both yourself and whoever else comes with you. A bigger tent means easier movement, which can be useful when you have to urinate at night.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you’re prepared or not. Prepare fully before going on a camping trip. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
Camping has the potential to be thrilling or hazardous, depending on your level of preparation. Make sure you always go camping only after preparing yourself fully. If you are camping somewhere new, research the area to familiarize yourself with the climate, wildlife and other factors.
Oranges are good things to bring for your camping trip, and not only as a healthy snack option. After you have eaten the orange, rub the peel onto exposed body parts and this will repel any blood-sucking bugs.
Take along a bandanna or a small towel. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter. There are various uses for this fabric piece, so be sure to carry one on your trip.
Purchase some special camping pillows. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. The content of this kit should be personalized to the type of camping you will be doing. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. You definitely don’t want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. Make a comprehensive checklist of all of the items you will need on your camping trip and double check items in your bags and car against the list to ensure that you do not forget anything.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
Duct Tape
Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. There may be spiders or bears near you that could pose a threat. Every camping spot has its own potential dangers for the untrained.
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. Its multipurpose properties aren’t only useful at home, they can be used in the wild too. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can even use it to bandage up injuries.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.
While camping’s purpose is to survive off the fat of the land, it is still important to prepare yourself. A sleeping bag is a must, and extra blankets should also be considered. This helps to warm you up in case it gets too cold at night. They are also good to use for extra padding.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. There are many great online sources to provide you with information on how to properly prepare and store food for your camping trip.
Prepare for your camping trip thoroughly. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. It’s important that you take care of everything, don’t take risks that you don’t need to, and think things through before doing them.
An orange peel can help to avoid insect bites. If you’ve packed everything, except for mosquito repellant, do not fret. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. This will help you to avoid insects.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. Flashlights will be essential at night. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. It is a great idea to bring one flashlight for each person, especially when camping with children.
Select your campsite carefully. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. You might also want to carry bug repellent too.
Sleeping Bag
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Make sure your sleeping bag is fit for the environment in which you are going to camp. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Set up camp before the sun goes down. Tent building in the dark is a major obstacle to confront. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It’s much easier to arrive early enough to get set up before sundown.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. Trail mix and beef jerky are non-perishable foods, so they will keep for very long periods of time; you can even bring them home with you if you do not eat them at the campsite.
When erecting your tent, ensure that all of the tent’s seams are sealed. If you tent did not include a tube of sealer, you can find it at sporting goods stores. This helps to prevent bugs, as well as rainwater, from coming in your tent.
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. If you have visited the campsite before, you can still get lost once you arrive. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. Many camping trips involve trees as toilets. Rather than using leaves as a substitute, just bring your own toilet paper.
After reading the article, you see how fun it is to camp. You can master it. Use the information shared here the next time you go camping. In no time, you will feel confident in your ability to plan a great camping trip that lets you enjoy Mother Nature fully.
Keep safety at the front of your mind. This means you should give wide berth to large woodland critters, and even some small ones. Even small animals, such as squirrels, can pose a dangerous hazard. It shouldn’t need to be said, but do not give bears food if you encounter them.