Have you been afraid to go on a camping trip because you’ve never gone on one before? That should not stop you from trying it. The right suggestions can be all you need to feel confident that you can have a great trip. You have found a great place to start. The piece that follows includes terrific camping tricks and tips.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. If you’re camping in the heat of summer, a sub-zero bag just isn’t comfortable or appropriate. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
A tent needs to be the proper size for all people staying in it. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Talk about where you want to camp. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Make a list of your favorites and allow the family to vote.
You can go swimming at the same time that you camp! You might long for a good shower when you are camping. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.
Prior to leaving on your camping adventure, look at the weather forecast in the location your are going to be camping. There are lots of websites that can give you an idea of what the typical weather is like in the area during the time of your travel. This will help you prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.
If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. Don’t forget to pack the extra for your location, too, such as antivenom for snake bites.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
You don’t have to entirely rough it. Bring a little piece of luxury from home. Your favorite candy bar or some prepackaged creamers for your morning coffee are light and simple to bring along. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. If you are camping in a tent, look for a dry and flat area of ground. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
Plan several activities to do while camping. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. Take extra things for entertainment if you have children.
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
If this your first time going on a camping trip? Before you take it on your first trip, practice setting up your tent. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. 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.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. Are they used to pitching tents and fishing? Spend a day teaching them what they need to know before you leave for your trip.
Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. The main goal with your sleeping bag is to conserve body heat, which means having a snug bag that hugs the body.
Orange Peel
Always watch your kids closely. It is easy for children to get lost, and cars often come and go. Disaster can strike quickly if you aren’t watching closely.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Experts say that if you rub your body with the inside of the orange peel, it will keep the annoying bugs away. You should be mosquito free for hours.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. 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.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. If you are well prepared for any possible situation, you are likely to have a great camping experience.
When going camping, always remember to take waterproof matches with you when you’re creating a survival kit. These should be stored in an airtight container. You can add paraffin to regular matches, or even nail polish for a homemade waterproof match. You can easily find something to hold them, perhaps a film canister or a medication bottle.
How will you prepare your food at the campsite? Decide how you will cook early on, so that you can prepare accordingly. Cooking over a campfire is fun, but can’t be done with out the right tools.
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. It may be convenient in some ways, but there are a lot of issues with that. Bathrooms provide constant light and also have a lot of traffic running through them at all hours. This location can result in excess noise and nuisance.
Follow proper food safety guidelines when you go camping. Pack your foods in bags or containers that are airtight and waterproof. Keep your food inside insulated coolers. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Always cook and store foods at the proper temperatures.
Always do everything possible to stay safe while on a camping trip. This means staying clear of dangerous wildlife and some of the small creatures of the forest. Even small animals can present a danger. Obviously, you should never try to feed a bear, should you encounter one.
Your tent should be dry and well ventilated. If you choose to sleep in a completely closed tent, by morning the condensation from humidity, sweating and breathing will really accumulate on everything inside. This will result in you waking up soaking wet. Most tents have some sort of venting system. Use it to help prevent uncomfortable moisture build up.
Shower Curtain
First aid kits are crucial for camping. The kit has to have in it everything you need in an emergency situation. Band-aids, splints, aspirin, and other important things should be in this kit. Safety is important when camping, but accidents do happen, so you have to be prepared.
A shower curtain that’s old makes a good disposable and cheap tarp to put beneath your tent. You could also use it as a place to wash or cook, since you can be in control of the run off. Instead of just sending your shower curtain to the trash, you can save it for another use when you go camping.
Baby wipes or toilet paper are always welcome for camping. Unless you really want to rough it by using leaves, you should always pack plenty of bathroom tissue and wet wipes.
Now that you have read these tips, you should be prepared for any outdoor adventure. Whether it’s in a location far away or in the backyard, remember these tips. The joy of camping will soon be something that you enjoy frequently.
If you’re going camping, you absolutely must pack lots of sunscreen. You want to keep your skin protected during your trip. Make sure to purchase a high SPF since you’ll be outdoors for long periods of time. You might want to choose sunscreen that includes insect repellent. It’s best to avoid encasing yourself with excessive amounts of chemicals when you are out in the wilderness.