Anyone who has ever been camping knows how enjoyable it can be. Nothing beats falling asleep under the stars and awakening to the birds chirping. This article can help assuage any fears you have about camping.
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. Don’t take a heavy sleeping bag out in the summer, it could make you sweat and be uncomfortable all night long. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You might even get hypothermia.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. These items are important to have in case you get lost. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Do not worry that you have packed too much stuff for the kids. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Children, in particular, love to get their hands in the dirt. This means that by day’s end your children and their clothes can be quite soiled. You can’t avoid the dirt, but some extra clothes will help out. It is important to be prepared.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. You will have all of the medical knowledge you will need in case of an accident. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
Oranges are not only a healthy snack to take on a camping trip, but they are also versatile when used as a mosquito repellent. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.
Do not forget to pack duct tape for your camping trip so that it can solve neraly any problem! It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.
When you are camping, pack enough of the right kinds of food. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. Food poisoning can quickly put an ugly end to any outdoor vacation. Take the proper steps to prepare your food and do research if necessary.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. All of your foods should be tightly wrapped and not place near your tent. Some foods shouldn’t be brought at all. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
Plan for every situation that you can think of before packing for your trip. Often times, even the best plans go awry. Weather problems, injuries and other unexpected things may occur. It’s vital to everyone’s well being that no severe risks are taken and that all safety precautions are heeded.
Plan what you’re going to wear before setting off on a camping trip. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. It’s imperative that you have clothing on hand that is right for the weather in the location you will be camping in. Closed toe shoes and hiking boots are generally needed for camping.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. Make sure you bring one for emergencies, especially if you are camping far from home.
Sleeping Bag
Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cell phone is perhaps the most useful item of emergency equipment that you can carry with you, but you do need to ensure that it does not run out of juice.
Pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the camping climate. Hot weather calls for a lightweight bag, while heavier bags are needed for colder temperatures. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. If you are properly prepared for many different situations, then you will be more likely to enjoy your trip.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. Nutrient filled snacks can replace the need to cook if you don’t have the means or the energy. These items can be stored for quite a while, which means you don’t have to worry about the expiration date.
A simple camping tip everyone should know is to build shelter during daylight. It’s hard enough to throw up a tent, but it’s even harder with the lights out. It is possible to do by firelight or by flashlight, but it will more than likely be frustrating and can be downright impossible in areas where there are hazards nearby. The process is far easier during daylight hours, and you will be relieved to be finished before darkness hits.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. Together, these items can be the difference between going home early and rapidly addressing problems that arise. You can keep a potentially serious injury from getting worse until you can get help for the injured person.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. It is still possible to get lost at the camp grounds even though you have already been there, because campsites look similar. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
Duct Tape
Make sure that you are always conscious of safety rules, regulations and best practices when you camp. That means to steer clear of large wildlife, and even some of the smaller creatures. Even small animals, such as squirrels, can pose a dangerous hazard. It should go without saying, but do not feed any bears if you see them.
Don’t forget the duct tape! Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
Your tent should be dry and well ventilated. Condensation from breathing and perspiration can build up in a sealed tent, causing moisture to permeate the walls, roof, floor, and even sleeping bags. This may cause you to awake wet. It is best to get a tent that gives you the option to vent the tent so that this does not occur.
With the advice shared here, you are ready for an enjoyable camping trip. Remember what you have learned here, and you will become a master camper. Regardless of the location you choose, you are guaranteed to enjoy your next camping trip.
If you are thinking about going camping for the first time, you may want to try it out the easy way first. Just set your tent up right in your backyard and spend a night outside. Pretend that your house is not there and do not use it for anything. If you have fun, camping is probably for you.
