Camping is the ideal wholesome activity that you can do with family and friends. Yet, it can be seen as something that’s hard to get into, so people tend not to attempt it. It doesn’t have to be if you have the right tips. If you want to know what it takes to have a successful camping trip, you should read the article that you can find below.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. Openly talk about the various options available to you. The U.S. has dozens of great camping options. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it in a dry place.
Survival Kit
Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. Openly talk about the various options available to you. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.
Carry a survival kit on your person. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, flare gun and waterproof matches. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.
The incredible orange should be on everyone’s camping supply list to keep away bugs and provide something healthy to eat. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. You must make sure you are completely prepared before you go camping. Research the area to learn about the wildlife and the geography and climate.
Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. Find a flat, dry piece of ground if you’re pitching a tent. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. Some people fear dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
To make your camping trip more enjoyable, bring along something luxurious. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. Having these luxuries available can help lift your mood.
Make sure your sleeping bag is fit for the environment in which you are going to camp. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. A good sleeping bag will cling to the human body and help it to retain as much body heat as possible.
Make sure that your bags include oranges, since these double up as both a handy and healthy snack but also serve as an organic and natural repellant of mosquitoes. When you finish eating them, save all of your peels and rub them around your body to use as a natural insect repellent.
Plan your camping attire in advance of your trip. Be sure you have enough clean clothes to last the entire trip. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. Shoes that will hold up and have closed toes are what you should wear for the most part.
Make sure to bring duct tape on your camping trip to fix almost 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.
Beef jerky and trail mix are two camping staples you should always bring with you. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. They stay fresh for a while, so you do not have to worry about them going bad if you do not use them up right away.
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Pack carefully and intelligently. List all of the supplies that you need so that you are not missing anything while on the trip. This is very helpful if you’ll be far from civilization.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. You can get lost in the woods even if you have been to the area before. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
Sleeping Bags
To remain comfortable while tent camping, keep your tent ventilated and dry. If your tent is thoroughly sealed, perspiration and breathing can build condensation throughout your whole tent. This can make you wake up soaked. Tents usually have built-in vents, windows, or doors that can be cracked to prevent moisture buildup and create a cross-breeze.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. Sleeping bags made of lightweight material are optimal for warmer climates. By contrast, you should invest in a heavy sleeping bag if you plan to camp in a cold area. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.
If you are thinking about going camping for the first time, you may want to try it out the easy way first. Pitch a tent in your garden or backyard and spend one or two nights in it. Forbid yourself from entering the house. If you find this to be an enjoyable experience, chances are good you will like camping out for real.
Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. There are always cars arriving and leaving from campsites, and it is easy for little kids to get lost easily in wooded areas. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
Always bring entertainment with you on a camping trip, even if you think you won’t need it. If you pack a bunch of electronic gadgets, it might conflict with the reasons why you chose a camping trip. However, there are few things better than sitting by a lake reading a great book or relaxing by a campfire listening to music.
It is important that you have first aid and survival kits on hand when you go camping. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. A survival kits and first aid kits can save your life.
Take along lots of beverages and food when you go camping. If there are bears in your area, store your supplies far away from your sleeping zone. Take any garbage and burn it so that bears aren’t attracted to where your camp is set up.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
Snake-proof your campsite. Set up camp away from brush piles, rock piles, thick bushes and anywhere else snakes like to hide. Make sure you check your items to make sure a snake didn’t sneak into them. Pack the area around your tent with sand so a snake can’t get in while you are sleeping.
Seal all your tent’s seams. Some tents are sold with material to seal the seams, and the majority of sporting goods stores have tube available for the purpose. This will allow you to keep wild animals and bad weather from getting into your tent.
As you plan your outing, scour old recipe cards. A few quick recipes can help you stay well fed throughout your trip. Mix things up a bit and make something fun. These simple recipes can make it a fun and enjoyable experience for your friends or family. Don’t forget, then, to also pack up any needed spices and seasonings.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. This means staying clear of dangerous wildlife and some of the small creatures of the forest. Even the smallest creature can be surprisingly dangerous. Don’t feed bears if you encounter any.
Carry a map of the trails around your camp site at all times. You’ll need it in case you take a wrong turn and get lost. Your map can help you figure out how to get back to the site while there’s still daylight.
Camping doesn’t have to be difficult. You can even become a pro at it. Use all you have learned when you go on your next camping trip. You’ll find yourself on an excursion that puts you up close with nature.
Some things to put on the list of items to pack are flashlights, matches, batteries, hats and sundries. No one likes to pee in the dark, so flashlights and matches are really necessary supplies. A hat works well to keep the sun off and hide those bad hair days, and the toiletries will keep you clean on your adventure.