Preparation is the key to having a memorable camping experience, whether you are just pitching a tent out back or jetting off for a trek through the Rockies. This article will help prepare you for a camping trip of a lifetime, and inspire you with some great activities. This information will give you what you need to have the best camping experience possible.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. It is also easier for you to see what is happening, so you won’t feel so frustrated.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. If you are prepared for this situation, you will find that when it occurs, you will be less stressed. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can return to being clean and civilized when you’re at home.
It is important that you remember all the camping gear when going on a trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. This kit should feature a survival knife, waterproof matches, tablets for purifying water, a flare gun, and a first-aid kit. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Carry it at all times.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.
Make sure that you find out what sort of weather is forecast for the place that you are going to be camping at. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you know what to expect, you will have the right clothes packed.
Plan several activities to do while camping. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Take juice boxes, mini cereal boxes and fruit and tie the food to trees. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
If you’re going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you’re very careful about your food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. This will help prevent wild animals from being tempted to visit your campsite.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Packing key essentials is necessary for good camping. Forgetting a few simple items could be disastrous for your trip. Make a master checklist of everything that you will be needing on your trip and be sure to check off items as they are packed or loaded into the car. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Bring duct tape with you since it can help you in many situations. It is good for patching holes in tents, shoes, and inflatables. It is also good for securing tents and sealing up mosquito nets.
Plan for every situation that you can think of before packing for your trip. Make sure you have put a little thought into things in case the unexpected does occur. The weather could turn sour, injuries could occur or other unforeseen events may happen. The more time you spend preparing for the unforeseen, the better off you will be when it comes to dealing with an emergency later on.
Learn about any dangers that may exist at your campsite before heading out on the highway. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Each camping spot poses its own dangers.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Pack plenty of food and make sure it’s the right type. Food that is resistant to spoiling, or that can be kept cold in your cooler, are the best options to choose. Food poisoning can quickly put an ugly end to any outdoor vacation. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. If you have the proper lighting, you can prevent experiencing bad falls or wildlife encounters. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Cold Weather
The idea of camping is to live with just the essentials, but you should make sure to be well prepared. You should take sleeping bags and extra blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Sleeping bags can be purchased for a variety of camping conditions. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Beef jerky and trail mix are two camping staples you should always bring with you. By nightfall, you may be too exhausted to prepare a campfire and cook, and having the quick, nutritious foods will really come in handy. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Don’t forget to watch your children. Kids love to explore in the woods and they can very easily get lost. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. These items can literally save your life, or to a lesser extent, prevent you from returning from your trip before you are ready to do so. Being prepared also keeps minor emergencies from becoming major emergencies.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise. Bathrooms provide constant light and also have a lot of traffic running through them at all hours. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Create a list of necessary supplies and check each one off as they are packed. This is crucial if you are camping in an area that is remote and has limited access to emergency assistance.
Safety procedures should be acknowledged when you’re out camping. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. Smaller animals can be a lot more dangerous than expected, like squirrels for instance. This should not have to be said, but never feed any bears you see.
Do you know what means you are going to use to cook your food? Decide how you will cook early on, so that you can prepare accordingly. You may like the idea of rustic cooking over the campfire; however, proper supplies are necessary to do so.
Now you know it is possible for everyone to enjoy camping. After today, you now know how to get the most out of your next camping trip and plan activities that even those who are the indoor-type can enjoy. Go out and explore the wonders of nature.
Stay safe while you camp. This includes avoiding interaction with any wildlife. Don’t be fooled into thinking that smaller animals are safe to be around. Even a small animal can be deadly, especially if they are carrying a disease. Avoid feeding bears if you happen to see them.