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. This does not have to be the case, with the right advice in mind. Keep reading for camping advice that will turn you into an eager camper in no time.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Double check your medical insurance. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Make sure that you both carry a survival kit and then get in the habit of always having it with you. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. This kit could be the difference between life and death. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. It can be something as simple as your favorite pillow or coffee creamer. These items can make your trip as pleasurable as possible.
Review your health insurance policy. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. Be sure to be properly prepared!
Talk to your kids about common dangers before taking them on a camping trip. Get online with them and show them what poison ivy, poisonous snakes, and other dangers look like. This will help your kids know what to avoid when exploring.
Pack oranges on your camping trip for nutritious and convenient snacking as well as organic mosquito repellant. After you’ve eaten the flesh of the fruit, save all the peels. When you need bug repellant, rub the peels on your skin to repel mosquitos naturally and on the cheap!
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Maybe you will find you have not brought enough food, clothing or other necessities. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Fishing poles, card games and even a scavenger hunt list will make great entertainment in the woods. Take extra things for entertainment if you have children.
Be certain you have everything you will need before embarking on your adventure. It is very inconvenient to forget to bring essential items like your sleeping bag or tent. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
Though camping is meant to emphasize minimalism, some carefully chosen supplies can make all the difference. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
If you bring your dog with you on your trip, make sure they are on a leash and that you watch them carefully. Not all people are dog lovers, and some are extremely terrified of dogs. Respecting others at the campsite is vital. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, or another person’s if they aren’t being watched.
Are you just starting out in the world of camping? Before you go out and start on your trip, practice setting up your tent. This will enable you to learn how to pitch the tent properly and make sure all of the equipment is fully functional. This will help you set up camp in a hurry if you get to the site just before dark.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven. Also, put a tarp down on your site to repel water in the best fashion.
Bring all of the essentials that you will need while camping. Even letting one particular item slip your mind can devastate your trip. Making a list and checking things off is a good way to remember everything. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
Make sure not to drain the batteries in your flashlight by accident. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
Watch your children at all times. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. It doesn’t take more than a minute for something unexpected to happen.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.
Orange Peel
Always take along a survival and first aid kit when you’re going camping. Together, these items can be the difference between going home early and rapidly addressing problems that arise. This precaution can prevent loss of life and give you the time you need to get needed medical assistance in case of injury.
An orange peel can help repel mosquitoes. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Experts have disclosed that simply rubbing the inner peel of a ripened orange on exposed skin can act as a repellant. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. It’s hard to start pitching a tent when it’s dark outside. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. The process is far easier during daylight hours, and you will be relieved to be finished before darkness hits.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. Should you lose track of your children at some point during your camping trip, having a picture handy could make a world of difference. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler’s drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. They think they are doing themselves a favor, but they aren’t. Communal campsite bathrooms are a constant source of light, noise and unpleasant smells. While it is convenient, it will decrease your comfort levels.
Camping is not as hard as it seems now that you have read this article. No matter your skill level, you can advance very quickly. Use this advice on your next trip. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the great outdoors and making memories of a lifetime.
Bring clothes that are suitable for the weather when you camp. Sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly. It can be chilly in the early morning, only to be followed up with a sweltering, humid afternoon. Nighttime can often be much colder than mornings and afternoons. It is best to bring all types of clothing so that no matter what the weather is, you will be prepared.
