Have you been pondering the idea of a camping trip? The most important step in any camping trip is planning, whether it is for a long backpacking trip or a weekend at the local park. Keep reading to learn how to make the most of your camping experience.
Take the tent into your yard and set it up before you go on your camping trip. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. You will find your frustration level diminishes greatly as well.
It’s imperative that you pitch your tent before the sun goes down. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Don’t worry about over-packing for your kids. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Be prepared!
Extra Clothing
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Make sure to pack plenty of extra clothing for your children. Camping is messy business. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. As the day moves along, your children are going to get really messy. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. Be ready for anything.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. Being stuffed into a tent can make it almost impossible to get any sleep, and you certainly do not want to be stepping on people if you have to get out during the night.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. Depending on the location, the kit may have extra items, but the basic items should be there. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. They also take moisture from the air and that makes them grow mildew fast. Camping pillows do not have these problems.
Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. Make it something easy to transport like your favorite coffee sweetener or candy. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for it. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. This will help you to stay warm, comfortable and safe during a cold or wet night.
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. If you’re driving an RV, find a safe parking spot. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. This should be done before nightfall as is it much more difficult to navigate when it is dark. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Choose a proper sleeping bag for your camping conditions. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. If you are staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
Duct Tape
Always keep an eye on your children, no matter where they are. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
If you go out camping with kids, have a photo of them on hand. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. After a busy day of hiking or other strenuous outdoor activities, you may be too tired to deal with campsite cooking. These snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense, making them a quick and easy source of nourishment. 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.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. These precautions include tightly wrapping your foods and storing them away from your tent. You also have to just forgo certain foods entirely. Doing this means you cut down on your possibilities of an animal attack.
A great camping tip that everyone should use is to bring along an extra utility knife. Utility knives are a fantastic to bring along when camping because they have so many uses. Be sure you have one with you and another for backup in your gear in case one gets lost.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. Blankets are essential, in addition to a sleeping bag, to maximize comfort. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
A camping trip could be a relaxing, tranquil experience, or it could end up being a vacation from hell. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
Bring all of the essentials that you will need while camping. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. Keeping a checklist is very helpful for this. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Many people forget to set up shelter before night falls. Pitching a tent can be difficult enough in the daylight, let alone in the dark of night. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Be certain to have multiple lanterns or flashlights handy as well as additional batteries. Flashlights will be essential at night. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. Avoid problems by learning to use these items that can save your life.
You should now be better prepared to plan for your trip. It does not matter whether you are camping for one night or two weeks, you still need to carry out extensive planning. Start planning now, and soon you’ll be on your way to your own memorable camping trip.
When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. If your tent kit did not contain a tube of sealant, it can be found at most sporting stores. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.