Camping out means that you don’t have the modern conveniences of home. You need to think through everything that you might need to be happy while you are out in the woods. This article will arm you with the knowledge necessary to maximize your enjoyment.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. When night falls, making food, finding wood, and pitching your tent can be very difficult. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
If you have a new tent to take on your camping trip, you should set it up at home before you go on your camping trip. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. In addition, it will eradicate a portion of the frustration often associated with erecting a new tent.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. You should also do some research. Knowing about the native species in your camp area, such as snakes or other dangerous animals, is essential.
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. This kit should include water-purifying tablets, a first-aid kit, flare gun, survival knife and waterproof matches. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower. When swimming, you will feel refreshed and cleaner. If you use some biodegradable soap, you can get just as clean as you would at home.
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. Do your research properly. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. It is very versatile, so be sure you take one with you every time you go camping.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. Armed with the forecast, you can prepare yourself with appropriate clothing and camping gear.
Before you embark on any camping trip you should be sure you have emergency supplies on hand, like a first aid kit and more. This kit must include the basics for the event of an emergency. Don’t forget to pack the extra for your location, too, such as antivenom for snake bites.
Camping Trip
Make sure that your camp site is complete before night breaks. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. This should be done before nightfall as is it much more difficult to navigate when it is dark. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. You will be able to see due to the sunlight and you will have an easier time.
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. Many people fear dogs. You should be respectful of other campers while at the site. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don’t keep a good eye on them.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. You could run into problems with your gear, or you may decide you simply don’t like camping that much. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. So many things can go awry for the newbie camper; it’s definitely best to find a campground near to home.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Always bring ample food, and make sure you bring the right types. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Remember, food poisoning could quickly put an end to your camping adventure. Prepare all food in the right way and follow all other precautions that the kind of food needs.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. Just like at home, its uses are nearly endless. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. Putting some on your feet before hiking can prevent blisters. This can also be used for injuries when you do not have a regular doctor around.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. There are those who have a fear of dogs. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.
When out in the wilds camping, it is smart to be prepared for just about anything. Often times, even the best plans go awry. Weather problems, injuries and other unexpected things may occur. It’s important that you take care of everything, don’t take risks that you don’t need to, and think things through before doing them.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.
If you’re planning on camping, you need to remember to pack energy food like beef jerky and trail mix. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Packing key essentials is necessary for good camping. Forgetting one or two key items could result in disaster. Creating a checklist of all the things you need can help you. Make sure that you bring a lot of water, knives, soaps and food on your camping trip for safety.
It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. Your phone could be the most important equipment you have in an emergency.
Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.
A camping trip could be a relaxing, tranquil experience, or it could end up being a vacation from hell. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. By being prepared for various situations, you’ll most likely have fun on your trip.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. This is particularly useful if you will be camping somewhere far from where you live.
Pack mindfully and appropriately. Make a list of the things you need on your trip. Check each item off when you pack it. If you are planning to camp in an area away from first aid access, then this will be especially necessary.
It’s vital to pack first aid and survival kits. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. You may be able to keep an emergency from going from bad to worse.
Start setting up camp well before dark. Tent building in the dark is a major obstacle to confront. A flashlight or fire will help you out. It’s much easier to pitch your tent while it’s light out.
A simple camping tip everyone should know is to build shelter during daylight. It’s very hard to set up your tent when it’s dark outside. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. It is best to do this before dark so you can put it up correctly.
Waterproof Matches
Food poisoning is a common ailment while camping. 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. Make sure there is plenty of ice in the cooler for perishables, and do not fail to drain the cooler regularly to prevent soaking the food.
Waterproof matches are an absolute essential addition to your camping survival kit. The container should be airtight. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
Use the appropriate sleeping bag for the current season. In the summer you want to have a light, cool bag. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
As you leave for home, clean up your space. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Remove any traces of food from the campsite. The major rule for leaving a campsite is to just leave behind footprints.
Empty the lint out of your dryer vent and bring it along on a camping trip. It seems like a silly suggestion, but lint is free, abundant, and flammable, making it great for starting campfires. The flames generated by lint are super-bright. All that’s needed for a toasty fire is a spark and a pile of lint.
Even if it seems silly, bring toilet paper. You may be camping in an area that doesn’t offer toilets, so you will need to find other places to go to the bathroom. Leaves can be dangerous alternatives to toilet paper, so don’t forget it.
Snake proof your campsite if you’re going to camp near a snake infested area. Stay away from brush and wood piles. Check clothing items, such as boots, for snakes before putting them on. Check that your tent is properly sealed, and build up the edges with dirt or sand to prevent snakes from crawling under.
Camping lends the experience of discovering the simple things in life that you can’t enjoy in the modern world. Whereas many find this appealing, some might be a bit understandably apprehensive. Think through all of your camping trip ideas before you go out on your adventure. The piece above contained some great advice, so put it to good use!
Learn about the poisonous plants in the area you will be camping before you leave. These plants don’t come with a sign that says “Warning: poisonous,” so you need to know how to distinguish them from normal plants. Read a book or look up the native plants and species online. That helps you avoid the plants altogether.