You can’t deny the allure of the great outdoors for many people. Knowledge is the most important tool for any camping trip. By spending a little bit of time figuring out how everything should go, you’ll have a better trip than ever.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Discuss which state you wish to visit. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Don’t let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. This survival kit may be what keeps you alive if you get lost and the items in it are indispensable in a survival situation. Carry it at all times.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. Some websites will tell you what the weather is usually like during the time you’ll be going. Armed with the proper facts, you will know that to expect and what to pack.
Bring along a sleeping bag 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. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.
Try to combine a camping experience with a swimming experience of some kind. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
Learn proper first aid. This way, should an accident occur, at least you are properly prepared until help arrives. Also be sure to do all the research you can about the area. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Don’t throw away the peels when you are finished with them and rub them on yourself. Apply to any skin that’s exposed to keep insects away with no chemicals. It’s a lot cheaper than spending your money on bug spray!
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Without proper preparation, a camping trip can turn into a disaster. Research the area you are planning on camping at.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. Not planning properly can ruin a whole trip. Write a list in advance of what you are going to need, and then you can check each item off when it is packed. A few things that you probably should pack include a sleeping bag, tent, knife, food, soap, and plenty of water.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Make your children “hunt” them in the wild; like a great outdoorsman. It’s a great way to add a little magic to the camping experience.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. This is especially crucial if the campgrounds are in a remote location. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.
Lint Filter
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If you lose them at some point, a picture will be very helpful to local authorities. A picture should be carried anytime you are away from home, but even more importantly when camping in the woods.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. Place the lint you normally throw in the trash in a plastic bag to take with you. By doing this, you’ll be able to collect the kindling on the day you’re taking the trip.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. You have to be sure you don’t set up next to stinging insects or anything unsafe. If the campsite has a lot of vegetation, protect exposed skin by wearing long pants and sleeves. You should also have insect repellent.
Always prepare an emergency kit when camping, whether you are going by yourself or with others. There may be different items in it depending on your camping location, but there are some things that should be in any kit. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
It is wise to leave a cell phone fully charged somewhere where you can reach it. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. The cellular phone can be a lifesaver, so it is important to ensure its viability throughout your journey.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. You can not afford to forget an important item like your sleeping bag or your tent. Check and double check your packing list and make certain that every item has been included.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. To steer clear of calamities, learning the right way to use such lifesaving tools is key.
Take along things to do while you are in the wild. 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. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Don’t forget waterproof matches in a camping survival kit. These should be stored in an airtight container. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. Your canister for storing them could be a plastic medicine bottle or an old film-roll container.
Duct Tape
Seal all of your tent’s seams when erecting your tent. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. This ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. Duct tape is very useful camping, the same as it is at home. Duct tape can be used to repair anything. It can repair a rip in a sleeping bag, tarp or tent. You can even put some under your feet before long hikes so that you don’t get blisters. If anyone hurts themselves, it can be used for securing splints or for covering wounds, provided something soft is placed between the tape and skin.
Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Make sure you pick up any food that you have as leftovers too. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
It is extremely important to be properly equipped when you go camping. Overlooking even a small thing can ruin an entire trip. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Make sure to bring several flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries on your camping trip. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. If you have the proper lighting, you can prevent experiencing bad falls or wildlife encounters. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Use the appropriate sleeping bag for the current season. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. For wintertime, you will need to ensure that you have a heavyweight bag that will keep you warm in cold temperatures.
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. 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.
Have you thought about how you are going to prepare food when you are camping? Decide how you will cook early on, so that you can prepare accordingly. A lot of people are excited about cooking thing over a flame, but that is hard to do without the right supplies.
When planning for a camping trip, make sure you bring beef jerky and trail mix. Both items are fairly healthy and will come in handy when you don’t feel like cooking. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
A used shower curtain can double as a cheap tarp to place on the ground before you set up your tent. It also doubles as a ground base for cooking, washing, etc; basically anything you need safe above the dirt. Therefore, instead of putting your old shower curtains in the trash, wash them and save them for your next camping trip.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Compile a checklist of things that you need for your trip, then check the items off on the list as you add them to your bags. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
Camping supplies should include a lot of food, water and other drinks. If you don’t do this then you might find yourself going to the store a lot during your trip. If it is safe to do so, burn garbage so that bears do not follow the smell of food to your campsite.
Waterproof Matches
When planning your trip, look through some old recipe books. You can easily grow tired of eating the obligatory hot dog and hamburger fare. You can mix it up. Print out recipes that are amenable to outdoor preparation to prevent your meals from being boring. Also, do not forget herbs and spices!
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Use an airtight container to store them. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can easily find something to hold them, perhaps a film canister or a medication bottle.
Fire safety should be your number one priority when camping. Know how to build a fire ring to keep your campfire safely contained. Make sure to keep water on hand to put out a fire that gets out of control. Get your fire under control quickly, and don’t ever leave it unattended.
For those with the right knowledge, there is nothing more enjoyable than camping. You should build on your knowledge base of camping by doing proper research. You will be a fan of the joys of camping in no time at all with these excellent tips at hand.
Batteries, toiletries, flashlights, a hat, matches and batteries are all important to bring on your camping adventure. For that night time toilet trip, matches or a good flashlight are an absolute must. A hat can shield you from the sun and hide wild hair, while toiletries can help you stay clean during your trip.
