For a lot of people, going camping provides an opportunity to relax and to achieve harmony with nature. Know where you want to camp and how you are going to do it. The following tips can make your next camping trip more enjoyable. Read on to learn more!
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. After all, you can be normal at home.
Make sure you have a survival kit with you during your entire camping trip. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. This kit could be the difference between life and death. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Carry a survival kit on your person. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Always keep it nearby and never leave it behind at the campsite.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Additional research can also provide valuable information. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. If you do this before dark, you can become accustomed to the area around you. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. You might long for a good shower when you are camping. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.

If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You don’t want to be far away if you decide you’ve had enough of camping, or if you have problems with your equipment. Other problems can be food shortage or inadequate clothing. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. You can hang a bag next to the dryer and just stuff your lint into it. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Besides that, dogs can also damage equipment and campsites if they aren’t supervised.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Entertain Yourself
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
Take some things to entertain yourself while in the wild. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. Just like around the home, it has many uses while camping. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. It can be used on feet to help fight off blisters during long hikes. In a pinch, it can even substitute as a bandage.
Camping can be a fantastic time for all as long as you learn a little about it and immerse yourself in the situation. You can learn a good bit about yourself while camping. Use the wisdom gleaned from these ideas to plan your own enjoyable camping trips that will create memories for years.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. There are many things that can go wrong, including illness, injury or extreme weather conditions. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.