Anyone who has ever been camping knows how enjoyable it can be. Sleeping and waking up to nature is one of the most relaxing things imaginable. If your lack of camping knowledge has held you back in the past, the advice that follows may change all of that.
Oranges taste great, but they can also help keep mosquitoes away from you. When you get through eating an orange, rub the peel on exposed skin to keep pesky bugs away.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
Before you go camping in a new place, it is essential to have an understanding of what dangers are located there. Figure out if there are any poisonous insects, what the land looks like and how the weather will be. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. If you know this ahead of the actual trip, you can prepare for the inevitable and get yourself some extra supplies. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. There’s plenty of time for showers and being super clean once you’re home again.
Talk to your children and friends about the dangers and risks of camping before embarking on your journey. 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.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
When first getting involved with camping, start out close to home. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. You might long for a good shower when you are camping. Spending some time in cool water can help you stay clean and refresh your spirits, so a little swimming can soothe the part of your heart longing for a bath.
Pitching a tent can be complicated for anyone, but it is especially difficult for beginner campers. You should try pitching your tent before you head out for the first time. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
Be prepared for anything when you go camping. It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. Always avoid unnecessary risks and try not to be careless.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. If you want to end your trip, you will be close to home. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.
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. You must respect other campers. Besides that, dogs can also damage equipment and campsites if they aren’t supervised.
Always make sure that your cell phone is with you when you get to your campsite, and it should be fully charged. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. As long as you are adequately prepared for the possible difficulties you could encounter, your camping trip should be most enjoyable.
If you are traveling to a place with an abundance of animals, make sure you are prepared with respect to food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Pack wisely! Create a supply checklist for your trip and check off each item as it’s being packed. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
Duct Tape
Make sure your shelter is ready before dark. Pitching a tent can be difficult enough in the daylight, let alone in the dark of night. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
Don’t forget the duct tape. There are multiple uses to put it to when camping, just like at home. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. Prior to heading off on a long nature hike, place some tape on your heels to avoid blistering. It even works as a bandage.
Make sure you know how to read both a map and a compass. Even if you’ve already been to your future campsite, getting lost once there is still a possibility since many areas of the site will look the same. Learning how to actually use certain items will help you avoid getting lost.
Do you know how to pitch a tent? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. This will ensure that you understand how the tent is to be set up and taken down. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
When pitching your tent, always make sure you seal the seams. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. This helps to prevent bugs, as well as rainwater, from coming in your tent.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. This will be key, particularly if you are camping far away from home. Use your list to guide your packing and make sure to start packing a few days before the start of your trip.
Don’t make the rookie mistake of pitching camp too close to bathroom facilities. They think this is a convenience for them, but they find out differently. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. They may end up ruining the entire experience.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. When the sun sets and you get too exhausted to cook that night’s meal, you can cheat once or twice and eat some of those tasty, filling snacks you’ve now decided to pack. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
Follow safety procedures. That means to steer clear of large wildlife, and even some of the smaller creatures. Even smaller animals such as squirrels can pose a danger. Avoid feeding bears if you happen to see them.
Pack carefully and efficiently. List all of the supplies that you need so that you are not missing anything while on the trip. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Always have lots of activities in mind to encompass the whole trip. There is a lot more to do than just roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Come up with creative ideas and plan something fun for each person to do in your camping party. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
Food poisoning happens for campers when food is not packed properly. Preserve the food by vacuum sealing or canning it to prevent food poisoning on long camping trips. Ice is important as it will help to keep your food chilled and fresh.
If snakes are a problem, make your area snake-proof. Avoid places with piled up rocks, bushes that are thick, woodpiles or deep brush. Keep bags closed and check your shoes for snakes before putting them on. Seal your tent, and pack its edges using earth or sand to keep snakes from crawling beneath it when you’re sleeping.
Now that you have good information, you can plan your camping trip. Use this advice to become a pro camper quickly. No matter where you go, near or far, you can have a wonderful time.
During the planning stage of your next camping trip, take the time to look through some of your favorite recipe books. You will get tired of eating hot dogs or hamburgers the whole time if you have nothing else to cook. Don’t be afraid to change it up some. Find easy, tasty recipes that will be manageable outdoors. Be sure to bring any spices or seasonings you particularly enjoy.
