There are not many things in life that can top spending a few nights under the moon and stars with people that you love. Camping is among the greatest pastimes we have and for good reason. While it may be fun, there is a lot to keep in mind when camping. Keep reading for some great tips to help you prepare for a camping trip.
Carry a handkerchief or bandanna while camping. You can use it as a potholder, bag holder or a towel. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you’re camping.
Survival Kit
Always bring along a well-stocked emergency kit when you head out on a camping trip. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Carry it at all times.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. This can be something simple like fresh coffee or a favorite candy. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. This makes it possible for everyone to sleep comfortably, and it also allows for room to move about and exit the tent if nature calls.
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Camping pillows are specially coated to prevent moisture absorption.
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Make your children “hunt” them in the wild; like a great outdoorsman. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
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 kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Dryer Lint
Is this your first tent? You should try pitching your tent before you head out for the first time. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It is all too easy to accidentally switch your flashlight on when digging through your bags. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. 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.
Prior to your camping trip, create a list of all the equipment and personal items you need to take. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. You may run out of supplies early. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. You can prevent accidents, such as falling or coming face-to-face with wild animals, if you have enough light available. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. There are many great online sources to provide you with information on how to properly prepare and store food for your camping trip.
Think about your clothing before your camping adventure. Make sure you pack enough appropriate clothing for the duration and activity planned for your outing. You should also make sure to include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and possible weather changes in your camping area. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential footwear for any camping trip.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. If you are going camping with children, you need to make sure that you bring a lot of things to keep them entertained during the trip.
Utility knives are great to have when camping. It is even better if you have more than one. These types of knives are the key to success when you need tools at a campsite. Carry an extra one in your bags in the event that your main one gets lost.
If your intended camping destination is known for its prowling wildlife, take more than enough precautions to secure food. This means wrapping things up tightly, keeping them far from your tent, and avoiding some types of food completely. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
Bringing along a cell phone with a full charge isn’t a bad idea while camping. Even better, try bring along some spare batteries in case your phone’s battery runs out. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. Your whole trip could be ruined if you forget a couple of things. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. You should bring along a knife, food, water, shelter and a sleeping bag.
Camping can be a great way to relax for a weekend, or it can turn into a hellish experience. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. When you try to consider all the issues that may arise, you can enjoy your trip with piece of mind.
Make sure not to drain the batteries in your flashlight by accident. You may accidentally turn on a flashlight while you’re looking through what you have packed for your trip. You can avoid dead batteries by installing them in the flashlight backwards until you need the light. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. While it may be convenient, it can also be annoying. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
Before heading out to go camping, compile a checklist of items that you plan to bring. This is critical if you are going to be covering some ground before getting to the spot where you pitch your tent. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.
A well ventilated and dry tent is a lot more comfortable. Condensation from breathing and perspiration can build up in a sealed tent, causing moisture to permeate the walls, roof, floor, and even sleeping bags. You may even wake up wet. To avoid moisture build up in your tent, open the door or window in your tent.
As mentioned earlier, anytime you plan to head into the wilderness, you need to keep several things in mind. Use the advice you have just read so that your next camping trip will be safe and enjoyable.
Use older shower curtains as a cheap tarp. A shower curtain can also serve other purposes, including a place to wash your cooking utensils and a place to take quick showers without getting your feet and legs muddy. Instead of just sending your shower curtain to the trash, you can save it for another use when you go camping.
