Many people think that camping means insect bites, food rations and sitting around with nothing to do. While this may be true for some people, it’s not true for everyone. If done right, you can do what you want and eat what you want, all while avoiding the bugs. Read on to find out more.
Pack what is necessary for your children. Camping can be a sloppy time. Children love the dirt. As the day goes on, your kids will get messier and messier. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Remember, always be prepared!
Sleeping Bag
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. It adds some fun to camping.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. 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. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. You might develop hypothermia.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. Though your location can contribute to necessities in the kit, the basics will remain the same. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. You would be pretty irritated if it turned out that you left your sleeping bag or tent back at home. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
When going camping you need to ensure that the tent you build can easily hold you and anybody else that comes along. You should have no problem sleeping and getting through the nights when camping.
Before you decide to take off on a camping trip somewhere you’ve never been, you need to do some research on what the area is like and be aware of the local risks and dangers. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Every camping area has its dangers.
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. Tie up small boxes of juice, cereal and food to a tree. Once the children are awake, tell them they need to forage for their meal. This is a fun way to bring excitement to the morning.
As you plan your camping adventure, take children aside and go over common dangers and issues they may encounter. It only takes a few minutes of going online to look at photos of plants they should avoid, such as poison ivy or other such things, to make sure your camping venture is free from common mishaps.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. When you go camping, you can miss out on things like showers. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
Pack plenty of food and make sure it’s the right type. Take a decent amount of food that won’t spoil when you go camping. No one wants to end their trip early because of food poisoning from spoiled food. Prepare all food in the right way and follow all other precautions that the kind of food needs.
Duct tape is important to pack because it can be used for a good bit of things. You can patch holes in your tent, your mattress or your shoes, or secure your tent poles, seal mosquito netting and much, much more.
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. You don’t want to take food with you that will spoil easily, no matter the length of time of your trip. If you get sick on your outing because of the food, that will put a damper on things. Cook and store your food properly during the trip to avoid food poisoning.
Do you know how to pitch a tent? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
Remember to bring along wilderness-friendly activities. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. 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.
Are you a camping novice? Practice setting up and taking down your tent before your trip. By doing this, you will know all the equipment that you will need to take with you to effectively pitch the tent. This lets you get it done before night falls.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have put a little thought into things in case the unexpected does occur. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Pack a day or two before going camping, and check off things on your list as you go along.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
Prepare your clothing in advance of your camping trip. Be sure you have a lot of clean clothes that will last you your whole trip. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. You need to avoid setting up your camping site close to wasp’s nests and other insect breeding grounds. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. You should bring insect repellant along.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. Should you lose track of your children at some point during your camping trip, having a picture handy could make a world of difference. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. These items keep for a long time so it won’t be like your wasting food if you don’t use them.
Utility Knives
One great suggestion for any camping trip is to pack a second utility knife. These pieces of equipment are quite versitile and can get you out of a lot of bad situations.
Utility knives are great to have when camping. It is even better if you have more than one. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
If you’re interested in going to the woods for your camping trips and you haven’t done so before, be sure to test it out to see if you’ll like it first. Spend one night in your own backyard in a tent. 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 find the experience enjoyable, camping may just be for you!
People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
You must bring at least one first aid kit. The kit should contain anything that you will need in case of an accident. First aid supplies to consider include dressings and wound cleansers, splints, snake bite kit and aspirin. While camping is generally a safe activity, accidents can occur and it always pays to be prepared.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If you camp somewhere without restrooms, you are going to have to go in the woods. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Bring along plenty of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important when camping. Seek out a sunscreen that has sufficient SPF protection. Ideally, a sunscreen that doubles as insect repellent would probably be the best choice. That way, you can avoid applying any more products than necessary on your trip.
Lots of camping novices set up their camp beside the rest area. Many people believe this is more convenient, but it’s simply not true. Bathrooms are not only sources of light, but they receive quite a bit of traffic. Therefore, they end up not having the convenience and comfort that they expected.
Be certain to bring water purification materials. These tablets are great in case you ever run out of water and need an additional resource. At home, make sure you try the tablets out to be sure you know what the water tastes like. It would be bad to grow dehydrated along the way, simply because you found the water unpleasant to drink.
Follow proper safety procedures when camping. That means avoid camping near areas that have large animals. Small wildlife, such as squirrels, can be very dangerous despite their tiny size. Don’t feed bears if you encounter any.
Whenever you are camping near a river or stream, always make sure to “take care of business” downstream. This will keep anyone getting water from the river will not be drinking your waste. Also make sure you alleviate yourself at least 100 yards away from your site.
Use proper food safety techniques when you go camping. Put your food in waterproof containers. Insulated coolers are best for keeping food. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Cook all your food thoroughly and chill leftovers quickly.
When bringing your pet along on a camping trip, make sure that you have everything they will need. Bring a leash so that they are contained at all times. A leash is probably also a good idea. In addition, make sure to have records of your pet’s health conditions, vaccinations and any medications your friend might need. Also address their needs for food by packing bowls, food and bottled water. Clean up any mess they make, and make sure their waste is properly disposed of.
By now you can see that camping can be quite entertaining. Utilize the advice found here to help you plan a terrific camping excursion. You will avoid the pitfalls and get the most enjoyment out of the experience.
Talk to a doctor about any health risks that you or anyone in your group has, prior to leaving. You may not be aware of all the possible complications. Maybe only one small thing needs to be done that won’t interfere but will make your camping trip less dangerous for you.
