How long has it been since you’ve been camping? Camping is a great way to reduce stress and connect with the natural world. You can enjoy what the outdoors has to offer away from work, without any distractions from technology. Spend some time reading this article, and learn how to make your camping excursion a successful one.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Don’t be afraid to over-pack for your children. Camping can be messy. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. The key is being prepared.
While you may think that nature will offer up enough wood to keep your fire embers burning, it could quite possibly be wet wood that doesn’t really want to burn. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Let everyone know they have a say in the campsite and should help pick a favorite spot. Talk about the state you would like to go to. The United States offers so many choices that choosing one can be hard! You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. Be sure to be properly prepared!
A hankerchief is a great item to bring on your trip. In emergencies, such cloth can turn into a towel, a potholder or a piece of luggage. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. The coolness of the water will help you feel cleaner and more refreshed, so you won’t miss your shower as much as you thought you might!
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. Pillows made specifically for camping have a protective layer that keeps these things from happening.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. A variety of issues could arise if you don’t know what to expect, so being close to home can prevent you from feeling stranded and stuck.
Are you a first time camper who has just bought your very first sleeping tent? Before you take it on your first trip, practice setting up your tent. Doing this will make you properly prepared when you get to camp. You can do this best before it gets dark outside.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. Write a list of essentials and as you pack the items, cross them off. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for it. Bring extra blankets along with your sleeping bag. They can be used as padding or for warmth.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Are you a camping novice? Before you take it on your first trip, practice setting up your tent. This way, you will know the things you need to put your tent up. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Sleeping bags can be purchased for a variety of camping conditions. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
Flashlights are imperative to bring while camping as there is minimal light in the wilderness. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous 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.
Believe it or not, an orange’s peel may keep mosquitoes from biting you during your next camping excursion. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. You should be mosquito free for hours.
Plan out your clothing prior to a camping trip. Pack plenty of different items of clean clothing for all types of weather. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
If your kids are going camping with you, have a photo of them on you. This can come in handy if they are separated from you while on your trip. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.
Smart campers will leave their car or base camp with a charged mobile phone. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
Be mindful of your camp location choice. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you’re near lots of vegetation, you should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from insects. Insect repellent is a life saver.
Clean your campsite when you finish camping. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Take any leftover food with you. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods. It is not advisable to use leaves, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
How do you plan to cook your food when you camp? Prior to leaving, decide which cooking method you will be using so that you can pack the supplies you will need. People enjoy cooking their food over an open fire, but it can be extremely hard if you do not have the right cooking supplies.
Whenever you’re choosing a sleeping bag, pick one out that’s for the climate you’re in. For instance, if it is summer, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. However, if it is winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won’t freeze during the night.
Keep your food safe when you are camping. Put your food in waterproof containers. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Make sure that raw or cooked meat is not stored in the same containers as other foods. Keep surfaces and hands clean when you’re dealing with your food. Use hand sanitizer or soap. Cook all of your food to the right temperature and get them chilled quickly.
Try to prevent your tent from getting wet and be sure it is properly ventilated. When you’re sleeping in a fully sealed tent, the condensation will build up everywhere just from you sweating and sleeping. This sometimes causes campers to wake from a deep sleep feeling wet. Tents usually have some openings in them to ensure that moisture doesn’t build up too much.
It is important for you to bring along a first-aid kit. Include all the items you would require in the event of a mishap. Bandages, aspirin, snake bite kit, splints, wound dressing, and other essential elements need to be in your first aid kit. You must always keep safety in mind while camping and be ready for accidents that may occur.
Do not forget to bring a lot of sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential. Make sure to purchase a high SPF since you’ll be outdoors for long periods of time. Ideally, you may want to look for a sunscreen that provides protection from bugs at the same time. You don’t want to be slathered with tons of chemicals on your trip.
To have a fantastic camping trip, just take the advice you’ve learned in this article. Use any or all of these ideas to take your trip to the next level and make it an experience that you will remember for many years to come.
Take a lot of pocket and dryer lint along on your next camping trip. Although it may seem like an unlikely item to pack, it can be one of the best tools you can bring for quickly starting your campsite fire. The lint makes bright flames, even brighter than with twigs or wood chips. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.
