Spending time in the great outdoors can be made more enjoyable wherever you camp, if you prepare ahead of time. Read these tips to learn how to properly get ready for your upcoming camping trip. There is nothing worse than going camping unprepared.
Be prepared to get dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. That is particularly true if you aren’t used to the blackness of the wilderness. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. This will not only familiarize you with the process, it will allow you to ensure there are no missing pieces or defects. It can reduce the frustration that you could experience setting up the tent as well.
Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, flare gun and waterproof matches. For any life threatening situation, these items may be the only thing standing between you and disaster. Keep your kit with you at all times; don’t leave it at the campsite.
Don’t fear that you are overpacking for your kids on a camping trip. Camping can be messy. Children love the dirt. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. It’s best to be prepared.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Check out what the weather is going to be like before you leave for your destination. You can find the average weather during a season for almost any location online. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. Kids can easily get bored if you are in the woods for a long time. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
A bandanna or a handkerchief can be beneficial to bring on your trip. These can be used for several things, like drying your hands or holding a hot pot. Its uses are innumerable, so it is smart to always have one available.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. From mending tent holes to fixing shoes, duct tape can be used for a lot of repair work in a pinch.
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You could seal an air leak in your mattress. Use it to enclose a rip in a tent, sleeping bag or weather-proofing tarp you have laid down. Tape also does wonders for blisters by offering an additional layer of protection. In a pinch, you can also bandage an injury with it.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. It is very important to make sure the food you bring will not spoil during your trip. Remember, food poisoning could quickly put an end to your camping adventure. Know what you’re doing when it comes to food safety and take the proper precautions.
When you go camping, you live on basics, but you need to be prepared too. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
The idea of camping is to live with just the essentials, but you should make sure to be well prepared. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
Is this the first time you are camping? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
Is this your first tent? Long before you set off in the woods for the real thing, get some practice in on setting up the tent. This will give you the confidence to pitch your tent at any time. 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.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. Make sure you put down a tarp before you set up your tent. This will keep water from entering your tent at night.
Prior to your camping trip, create a list of all the equipment and personal items you need to take. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. Flashlights will come in very handy when it is dark. If you have a flashlight or lamp you can avoid injury, such as getting poked in the eye by a branch. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Know where your kids are at all times. Not only can your children get lost, but they may also encounter cars that enter the campsite. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. Lighter bags might be good ideas for warmer climates and seasons to avoid unnecessary weight and space usage, but make sure that you have a heavy enough bag to stay warm in cold conditions. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Seasoned campers suggest that you can rub your skin with the inside of an ripe orange peel. This can help for many hours.
Make sure to watch your children very closely. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. Disaster can strike quickly if you aren’t watching closely.
It’s a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. Bring extra batteries in case the first one dies. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If they get separated from you, having a picture will make finding them a lot easier. Always keep one ready for emergency use, especially when a good distance from the home.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you’re prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If you’re near lots of vegetation, you should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from insects. Also, insect repellent is a great device to use while camping.
Figure out how to use a compass and read a map in advance. 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. This skill can potentially save your life.
As you’ve read, camping can be something that you all enjoy. By applying the tips here, you can prepare a camping trip that is fun even for those who claim they would not enjoy it. Go ahead and explore everything that nature has to offer.
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 ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
