Oh the joys of camping! It is a great time outdoors, which makes a wonderful respite for couples, singles and families alike. There are many things you should learn in order to make your trip to the great outdoors as much fun and excitement as you expect. The following advice can help you properly plan for your next camping trip.
Make sure that all of your friends and family are involved in choosing the camping site. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. This will make everyone feel invested. The U.S. has dozens of great camping options. If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.
Examine your medical insurance policy. Some policies don’t cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. This can be especially important if you leave the country on your trip, such as camping across the border in Canada. Be sure to be properly prepared!
Attend a class in first aid; this is a really good idea if you are camping with children. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. Additional research can also provide valuable information. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Once the children are awake, tell them they need to forage for their meal. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
Before you leave home to go camping, check to see if inclement weather is predicted in the area you are planning to visit. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. When you have accurate weather information, the right clothing and equipment can be included in your supplies.
Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. You can use them to pick up hot pans, or to clean up a tiny spill; therefore, you should always have one with you.
Camping Trip
Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. They also take moisture from the air and that makes them grow mildew fast. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
The way you prepare will determine whether your camping trip will be fun or if it will be dangerous. Without proper preparation, a camping trip can turn into a disaster. Research the area you are planning on camping at.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You definitely don’t want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
Kids might enjoy a camping activity called the “jungle breakfast.” Tie to the trees small boxes of cereal, fruit, and juice boxes. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. This will add some adventure and fun to their day.
While kids love camping, they need to have activities planned for them. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Teach them how to perform these acts before you set out to camp.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Have a bag next to the dryer so you don’t forget to collect it. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Don’t go far from home during your first couple of camping trips. You could run into problems with your gear, or decide to cut the trip short. It could be that you didn’t pack enough food or your clothing is not warm enough. Many issues can occur for new campers, so you should camp near home your first time.
Pack your camping supplies in advance of your trip. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
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. 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.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. This includes knowing the area’s deadly spiders, what the terrain is like, and whether flash flooding is possible or not. All camping spots have some dangers associated with them and you want to make sure you pick a spot that isn’t too bad.
Take some things to do on your camping trip. You might want to take a deck of cards or a list of things to look for during a scavenger hunt as well as a fishing pole. Take extra things for entertainment if you have children.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
It is important to take even greater care storing food if you are planning to travel to an area with active and dangerous wildlife. You can wrap up leftovers well, keep them away from the tent and use other precautions to protect yourself. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
When selecting an area for your tent, look for the area of the campsite with the flattest and softest ground. Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. Prevent water from getting in by placing a tarp or plastic sheet under the floor of your tent.
Though camping is meant to emphasize minimalism, some carefully chosen supplies can make all the difference. You need a sleeping bag, but you need to take extra blankets too. This helps to warm you up in case it gets too cold at night. They are also good to use for extra padding.
Create a list of items you need for your camping trip. This is imperative when there is travel involved during your camping trip. Pack a few days before your camping trip is supposed to happen and check off your list while you go through things.
If this your first time going on a camping trip? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. By doing so, you will know that the equipment is all included, and you will be familiar with the process of pitching it. This also ensure that you can perform the task more quickly if you get to your campsite late, and darkness begins to set in.
Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. Flashlights will be essential at night. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Bring all of the essentials that you will need while camping. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. Be sure your list includes the tent and sleeping bags, as well as food items and personal hygiene items.
Sleeping Bag
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Always pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the weather. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. The main goal with your sleeping bag is to conserve body heat, which means having a snug bag that hugs the body.
Be aware of your campsite location. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. If you’re near lots of vegetation, you should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. So, if you forgot to pack your mosquito repellant, do not despair. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
It is important that you have first aid and survival kits on hand when you go camping. These two items can keep you from ending a trip abruptly and handling many situations swiftly and easily. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Keep an eye out on your camping area. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. If you’re near lots of vegetation, you should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from insects. You should bring insect repellant along.
You next camping trip can turn out to be a weekend full of relaxation or it can be a nightmare. Preparation is what makes the difference between the two experiences. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
When you do not pack and plan properly for your camping trip, it can be not only dangerous, but a disastrous adventure that no one will enjoy. With any luck, this article should have given you some useful tips to have a great time and enjoy the next camping trip.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. It’s hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
