So, you’re going away on a camping trip? If so, are you prepared for the usual challenges that nature can throw your way? While most of what you will need seems pretty obvious, it is best to plan in advance to ensure that you have all that you might need. Read this article for some helpful suggestions.
Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. When you have some idea of how the weather will behavior while you are camping, you can pack appropriate clothing and equipment.
Sleeping Bag
Review the medical coverage that you have. Some policies don’t cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. If you use a lightweight sleeping bag during the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. You might develop hypothermia.
Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. The water helps you feel refreshed and a bit cleaner so that you don’t miss showering quite as much.
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t burn. It’s important that you bring extra wood with you that you can keep in a dry area.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. Just grab your bag of dryer lint and go on camping day.
Allow everyone who is going on the trip to have a say about the campsite. Talk over what your destination state should be. The options are plenty, so do your research! If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.
Make sure that your camp site is complete before night breaks. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
Build yourself a survival kit; keep it with you anywhere you go while camping. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. This kit may keep you alive if you are lost and these items are indispensable for a survival situation. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. This would include stuff like what spiders dwell there, how steep the terrain is, and if the area is prone to flooding. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
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. When you know what to expect, you will have the right clothes packed.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
No matter how rough and tough your camping plans, bring along a small bit of luxury to add an elegant touch to your camping trip. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. A few small indulgences can make you incredibly happy.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip. Getting food poisoning can bring an abrupt end to a camping trip. Make sure your food is prepared the right way to avoid the risk of spoilage.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Take along some things to entertain yourself and your family. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.
Learn about any dangers that may exist at your campsite before heading out on the highway. That include deadly spiders, sheer drops, and flash flood areas. All camping spots have some dangers associated with them and you want to make sure you pick a spot that isn’t too bad.
Are you a first time camper who has just bought your very first sleeping tent? Practice putting your tent up before going camping. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. This will also enable you to do this task quickly if you arrive at the campsite, right before darkness sets in.
When planning for a camping adventure with kids, be sure to speak to them about camping dangers. You can all get together and check out pictures of various plants that are hazardous so they can learn what they can’t touch when they’re looking around.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven. Make sure you put down a tarp before you set up your tent. This will keep water from entering your tent at night.
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. There are multiple uses to put it to when camping, just like at home. You could seal an air leak in your mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. If you’re planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. It can even be used to bandage injuries.
Your sleeping bag should be able to accommodate a variety of camping conditions. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. The main goal with your sleeping bag is to conserve body heat, which means having a snug bag that hugs the body.
It is extremely important to be properly equipped when you go camping. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. 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.
Don’t forget to watch your children. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. Things happen very quickly and your kids should be supervised.
It’s a great idea to bring along beef jerky or trail mix when you go camping. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.
People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. If the food that you pack for camping is not canned, vacuum sealed or preserved, you exposing yourself to the possibility of experiencing food poisoning from eating spoiled food. Pack an adequate supply of ice for keeping perishable foods nice and cold and be sure to drain your cooler’s plug so the food doesn’t get soaked.
With your new-found knowledge, you are now ready for that camping trip. While camping may seem like it is always a simple event, it’s important to be prepared for anything. Apply what you’ve just learned, and have a wonderful trip.
Plan what you will do from the time you arrive until you leave to make your trip fun. Campfires and making smores aren’t all there is to do when you’re going camping. Exercise your creative muscles and think of things everyone in your group will enjoy. You should plan activities that both the older campers and younger campers alike will enjoy.
