There’s a big world out there, and those of you who have yet to go camping are missing out on the adventure of a lifetime. Camping is a time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. If your lack of camping knowledge has held you back in the past, the advice that follows may change all of that.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
Don’t be afraid to over-pack for your children. Camping can be dirty! Children, in particular, love to get their hands in the dirt. As the day goes on, your kids will get messier and messier. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. It is important to be prepared.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. You can get back to normal after returning home.
Take a first-aid class, especially if children are camping with you. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. It is also best to know what exists in the area you will be in so that you can prepare for that as well.
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Use serving sized boxes of cereal, pieces of fruit and juice boxes and tie them to trees near your campsite. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This can add some magic to their camping trip.
Survival Kit
If you are going camping, whether with others or alone, a survival kit is essential. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. Don’t forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. This survival kit may be what keeps you alive if you get lost and the items in it are indispensable in a survival situation. If you don’t take it with you on excursions it will serve you no good.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
If you’ve brought the kids along, feed them a “jungle” breakfast. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees. When the kids awake, you can tell them to “hunt” for breakfast. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
Your children will love to join you on your camping trip, but be sure to plan some fun activities for them. If you are deep in the woods, away from everything, they may get bored. They may not be familiar with things like fishing, putting up a tent or otherwise roughing it. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.
Oranges will not only fill you up, but they’ll keep mosquitoes away. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. It can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. You can also use it to bandage injuries.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You can see how to set up your camp, which will save a good deal of frustration.
When you find your camping spot, put the tent up on top of the patch of ground that is flattest and softest. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. They may never have had a chance to set up a tent or catch a fish. Allow them to practice these activities prior to going camping if they’re not that experienced with the outdoors.
It’s vital to pack first aid and survival kits. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. A first aid kit helps to prevent situations from becoming serious, and it allows you to help family or friends until medical help arrives.
Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. Other campers might be fearful of your dog, no matter how friendly he might be. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Your dog might even damage someone else’s property if not properly supervised.
When you’re getting a survival kit together for camping, it’s recommended to bring waterproof matches. Always store your matches in a container or packaging that is airtight. You can waterproof regular matches by dunking them in nail polish or paraffin, a type of wax. Make a match holder out of a plastic medicine bottle or a 35mm film container.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. You can wrap up leftovers well, keep them away from the tent and use other precautions to protect yourself. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Though it might seem like a no-brainer, do not forget your toilet paper. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. It is not advisable to use leaves, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
When you go camping, you live on basics, but you need to be prepared too. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
How do you plan to cook at your camp site? Prior to leaving, decide which cooking method you will be using so that you can pack the supplies you will need. You can easily boil foods like hot dogs over a boiling pot of water and an open flame, but you need the right equipment.
It’s imperative that you take along the things you need when you’re going camping. Even just a handful of things missing can really affect your camping experience. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. You need a lot of things to take with you on a trip, and you don’t want to miss anything.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. That means avoid camping near areas that have large animals. Don’t be fooled into thinking that smaller animals are safe to be around. Even a small animal can be deadly, especially if they are carrying a disease. This should not have to be said, but never feed any bears you see.
Now that you have the basic information for camping, start planning your next camping trip! You will be an expert in no tome at all if you take the tips in this article to heart. Whether you go far away or settle for a nearby locale, you are sure to have an awesome adventure.
For an inexpensive and disposable way to protect the bottom of your tent, use an old vinyl shower curtain as a tarp. You can also put it underneath a washing or cooking area to control any run-off or spillage. Instead of throwing away your old shower curtain, wash it and use it when you go camping.
