Are you getting ready to go camping? In planning for it, have you fully prepared yourself for what might come up while you are out in the wild? While many aspects of camping are simple, you need to take some time to review the basics. Here are some tips to ensure you have a fantastic time.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This can eliminate the aggravation felt when setting up your tent.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Use your time in nature to enjoy the chance to be a little messy. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. That is why it’s important to prepare in advance and prepare well. Research the area to learn about the wildlife and the geography and climate.
Take a first-aid class, especially if children are camping with you. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. If you’re out in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do, boredom will set in. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. If this is their first time, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn new skills.
Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you have some idea of how the weather will behavior while you are camping, you can pack appropriate clothing and equipment.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. You may not have enough food, or realize that you didn’t pack the right clothing. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
The lint from the dryer actually is great to help start campfires. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer’s filter. You can hang a bag next to the dryer and just stuff your lint into it. You can just go about your business after that.
When you are camping, pack enough of the right kinds of food. Depending on the amount of time you will be out, it is important to have food that will not spoil while you are out. No one wants to end their trip early because of food poisoning from spoiled food. Prepare your food properly and research any precautions you need to take.
Before you embark on any camping trip you should be sure you have emergency supplies on hand, like a first aid kit and more. Though your location can contribute to necessities in the kit, the basics will remain the same. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. There are those who fear dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Your dog might even damage someone else’s property if not properly supervised.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
Always be prepared when on a camping trip. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. Weather problems, injuries and other unexpected things may occur. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. This will ensure that your sleeping area is comfortable. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
Children love camping, but be sure that you provide them with activities. Being in the woods can be boring for them as time goes on. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. 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 refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. Other problems can be food shortage or inadequate clothing. There are a lot of different things that can come about and being closer to home will make it a lot easier.
Flashlights are imperative to bring while camping as there is minimal light in the wilderness. You will surely find it necessary to illuminate things once night falls. Having enough light can prevent nasty falls or unwanted encounters with wildlife. Bring flashlights to safeguard against the dangers of darkness.
Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Sleeping Bag
Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. You’ll need a sleeping bag, as well as extra blankets. This can help you stay warm if it cools down at night or you may use them for extra padding.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. If its winter, use a heavy-weight bag and use a light-weight one in the summer. If you plan to pitch a tent, make sure your sleeping bag stays snug against your body, as this prevents your body heat from escaping.
If you put some thought in ahead of time, you will not have to worry about drained batteries in your flashlight while you are at a camp out. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Thanks to the information you read above, you are surely in a better position to have a great camping experience the next time you go. Camping is all about relaxing and enjoying yourself, but you need to be prepared. Apply what you learned here towards your next awesome adventure!
Be certain to have multiple lanterns or flashlights handy as well as additional batteries. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.