Camping is fun! You have the opportunity to become one with nature, and you can learn more about yourself. You can hike and learn to create a campfire. Camping offers and endless array of options, but the following piece includes a few ideas for maximizing your vacation.
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. You don’t want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. You might even contract hypothermia.
It is important to remember that getting dirty is inevitable. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Enjoy being in the woods and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. If you are prepared for this situation, you will find that when it occurs, you will be less stressed. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. After all, you can be normal at home.
Take a bandana or handkerchief with you. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. This kit can keep you alive! Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Collect some lint from your clothes dryer to bring with you. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. Many of today’s children are not used to downtime away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the quiet outdoors can cause boredom for them. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. You don’t want to bring a lot of food that will easily spoil. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.
A hankerchief is a great item to bring on your trip. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. 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.
If your dog will be joining you on your camping trip, keep him leashed and under constant supervision. There are campers who do not like dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Furthermore, dogs could cause a lot of damage to your campsite, or someone else’s, if they are not properly supervised.
A checklist is essential before embarking on any camping journey. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. The weather may change all of a sudden, illness and injuries can occur, your circumstance can change, etc. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.
Plan your camping attire in advance of your trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. Include closed toe shoes or hiking boots if you want to do some hiking.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Always put a tarp down on the ground first so that water can’t get in and ruin the tent.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don’t feel like cooking. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. Your skill using a compass and a map can be a lifesaver one day.
Mobile Phone
When erecting your tent, ensure that you are able to seal all seams. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.
Smart campers will leave their car or base camp with a charged mobile phone. The best thing to do is bring some backup batteries. A mobile phone is an important part of camping safety these days, and you want it to be ready to go when you need it.
Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. For example, in the summertime, a lighter bag will keep you cool. But during the cold of winter, you need a thermal bag that will keep you protected from the elements.
Bring waterproof matches as part of your survival kit. These should be stored in an airtight container. Matches can be made waterproof by simply placing them in either nail polish or paraffin for a quick dip. Easy-to-find 35mm film canisters and plastic medicine bottles make handy cases for matches.
If camping has always appealed to you, but you remain a novice, you can rapidly determine whether the pastime does indeed suit you. Pick up your tent, set it in your own back yard, and spend the night there. Don’t wander back into the house at whim. Make yourself stay outside and live off the land that is your backyard, just as if you were deep in the woods! If you have fun, camping is probably for you.
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Get some trash bags and clean up your mess. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
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 a shower curtain in the trash, clean it and use it for camping.
A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. While it may be convenient, it can also be annoying. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
First aid kits are critical to any camping trip. Such a kit should contain everything that one could need in the event of an accident. Pain killers, bandages, snake bite supplies, and gauze should all be included in the kit. Of course, you need to pay attention to your safety and try to avoid accidents. However, you need your kit to prepare you for when accidents do happen.
Follow proper safety procedures when camping. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Small wildlife, such as squirrels, can be very dangerous despite their tiny size. One thing you should never do is feed a bear if you see one, even though you probably would be too scared to approach one!
Every camper should remember to pack toilet paper and baby wipes. Though leaves offer a natural alternative, it can be very unsavory to do so when paper and wipes are readily available.
Now you should be ready to conquer your next camping excursion with these tips. Keep them in mind for your next outing. They will prove invaluable so that camping is a memorable experience for you.
Bring some entertaining items for your trip. Books, board games, a guitar or some music are all great options to bring along.
