Even if you have not gone camping since you were a child, it can still be a fun activity. Planning a great camping trip takes two things: knowledge about camping and the dedication to make the trip great. You can get some suggestions here to help you.
All participants should have a say in where you go camping. Talk about where you want to camp. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Discuss which state you wish to visit. 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.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. That makes it easier for everyone to have a comfy time while they’re asleep and moving around when they have to get up in the dead of night.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. Being stuffed into a tent can make it almost impossible to get any sleep, and you certainly do not want to be stepping on people if you have to get out during the night.
Consider having a “jungle breakfast” if you are on a camping trip with children. Portable foods, such as boxed cereal, juice, and fruit, can be tied to trees. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Camping Pillows
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. 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.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows are specially coated to prevent moisture absorption.
Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. Children may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. If they aren’t used to camping activities, teach them before you leave.
Talk to your kids about common dangers before taking them on a camping trip. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.
Bring adequate amounts of food. If you are going to be camping for a considerable duration, you need to ensure that you have food than will not go bad. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Know what you’re doing when it comes to food safety and take the proper precautions.
Are you a beginning camper and have just purchased your first tent? Practice putting your tent up before going camping. Doing this will make you properly prepared when you get to camp. You can do this best before it gets dark outside.
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. You can close up rips and tears, and bundle things together. Putting some on your feet before hiking can prevent blisters. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.
Sleeping Bag
Plan ahead and make sure your flashlight batteries have full power before you leave for a camping trip. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. Make sure your sleeping bag fits you well, hugs your body and helps you to retain heat.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. This is critical if you are going to be covering some ground before getting to the spot where you pitch your tent. Pack in advance to avoid the stresses of packing before your trip.
Plan out your clothing prior to a camping trip. This way you’ll have enough clean clothing for your trip. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. Closed toe shoes and hiking boots are generally needed for camping.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Flashlights will be essential at night. Having enough light can prevent nasty falls or unwanted encounters with wildlife. You may want to get each child a flashlight of his or her own if you’re taking kids on your camping trip.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. In the case that a child goes missing, having their photo at hand could be of great use. Always bring an emergency photo, especially if your campsite is far from your home.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. It’s likely that you’ll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Be aware of your campsite location. You don’t want to overlook something like a snake hole, take a little precaution. When near vegetation, long sleeves shirts and long pants will keep insects from getting on your skin. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
Have a first aid pack on hand, as well as a well stocked survival kit. Without them, you may need to finish your camping trip earlier than you would like. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Trail mix and beef jerky are a couple great things to bring along on a camping trip. After a busy day of hiking or other strenuous outdoor activities, you may be too tired to deal with campsite cooking. These snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense, making them a quick and easy source of nourishment. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your trip.
Take along some duct tape on your camping trip. While most camping equipment is durable, they can tear or break easily. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.
It’s a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn’t get any with your tent. Sealing the seams of your tent will prevent any insects or water from getting inside.
Always take along a survival and first aid kit when you’re going camping. Without them, you may need to finish your camping trip earlier than you would like. A first aid kit helps to prevent situations from becoming serious, and it allows you to help family or friends until medical help arrives.
Food poisoning is a common ailment while camping. When food is not properly preserved, it can increase the risk of becoming spoiled and make you sick. 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.
You may have fond memories of camping as a child, and have been wanting to immerse yourself in that sort of trip again. But you may need some information to refresh yourself. This article should serve as a catalyst for inspiration that will help you plan a camping trip that will rival your childhood memories.
Though it might seem like a no-brainer, do not forget your toilet paper. If you don’t happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. Leaves may have poison on them, as you will want to use toilet paper to wipe.
