Are you planning a camping trip? Are you prepared for the common things that may happen to you while you’re camping? Though camping is a relatively straightforward prospect, it is important to learn as much as you can in advance. The article below has what you need to know.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Sleeping Bag
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
All participants should have a say in where you go camping. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. The U.S. has dozens of great camping options. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower. You will find yourself feeling clean and refreshed after a dip in cool water. This can lesson the desire for your home shower.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. There are lots of websites that can give you an idea of what the typical weather is like in the area during the time of your travel. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Pack a first aid kit. Depending on the location, the kit may have extra items, but the basic items should be there. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Keep the peels when you are finished eating them. Rub the peels on your body and mosquitoes will stay away.
Pack a roll of duct tape with the rest of your supplies; this sticky wonder can help in a variety of circumstances. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, tent holes, worn soles on shoes, sealing mosquito nets, securing tent poles, and so much more.
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. When adventuring in an RV, be safely parked before dark. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Purchase some special camping pillows. Standard pillows can get hot and sticky in humid weather. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
Kids really enjoy camping if they are kept busy with fun activities. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Teach them the basics of these activities before leaving for your trip, especially if they don’t have lots of outdoor experience.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
Duct Tape
Before heading out to go camping, compile a checklist of items that you plan to bring. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.
Did you know that a roll of high-quality duct tape is a great item to take camping with you? It is as convenient for repairs while you are camping as it is at home. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. In a pinch, you can also bandage an injury with it.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. Flashlights will come in very handy when it is dark. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. It is a great idea to bring one flashlight for each person, especially when camping with children.
Did you just purchase a new tent for your trip? Practice putting your tent up before going camping. By doing so, you will know that the equipment is all included, and you will be familiar with the process of pitching it. This will also enable you to do this task quickly if you arrive at the campsite, right before darkness sets in.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. This picture could be used to help find them if they were to get separated from the group and lost. Be certain you take a picture in case of an emergency, particularly if you are far away from your home.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. Don’t forget to bring along the bug spray.
It is advisable to bring beef jerky or trail mix with you on a camping trip. At the end of the day, you might feel too tired to cook so having these nutrient-filled snacks on hand can be very useful. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. A few strips of this durable tape can keep you dry and cozy at night if your tent is damaged during the day.
Waterproof Matches
If you think a campsite right next to the bathrooms is ideal, think again. People quickly realize that camping near bathrooms is a bad idea. Bathrooms are a source of light, and they are also high traffic areas. Because of that, they aren’t really as convenient as one might think.
When you’re getting a survival kit together for camping, it’s recommended to bring waterproof matches. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. To save money, dip regular matches in shellac, nail polish or wax to make your own waterproof matches. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
When camping in the cooler weather, dress in layers. You may find that the weather conditions can change rapidly. It may be very cold in the morning, but the afternoon can be blistering hot. The night can get cold. It is best to bring all types of clothing so that no matter what the weather is, you will be prepared.
Don’t leave your campsite a mess! Be sure to pack large plastic bags for clearing away trash. Make sure you pick up any food that you have as leftovers too. The only thing you want left are your footprints when you are gone.
Keep old shower curtains, you can use them as disposable tarps to put under your tent when you go camping! 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.
While it may seem silly, make sure that you pack some toilet paper before you go camping. If you are going camping in a place that has no toilets, it will be necessary for you to use the bathroom outside. You do not want to use leaves to wipe yourself, as they may contain poison ivy, so take your toilet paper with you.
Do your bathroom chores downstream if your camp site is close to a water source. This will avoid any contamination of the water near your camp site. Try to keep everything around 100 yards from the campsite that could contaminate the water.
Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. If it’s summer time, look for the lightest weight bag you can find, to keep extra cool. However, you’ll need a heavyweight sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.
Make sure you recognize poisonous plants before you plan your camping trip. Some might not be recognizable to the average person. It’s easy to find books on identifying poisonous plants or you can simply go online and research them. You can then be sure that you will not touch or eat any poisonous plants during your camping trip.
Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. Although this seems like a logical choice for them, soon they discover otherwise. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
Consult some cookbooks before you head out on a camping trip. While hotdogs and burgers are great, they can get old after a day or two. Create some variety. Print out recipes that are amenable to outdoor preparation to prevent your meals from being boring. Bring along a few spices to dress up meals, as well.
While camping, do everything you can to be safe and cautious. This means you’re going to have to stay away from various forms of wildlife that may be in the area you’re camping in. That cute little squirrel may not be the friendly cute companion that it seems to be. Keep your food out of reach of bears at all time, and do not try to interact with them.
Bring everything that your pet needs to be happy. Make sure you have a way to restrain them from other animals. A leash is always a good idea. Be certain that their licenses and vaccinations are up to date. Have bowls, fresh water and their regular food in good supply. Also, clean up after your animals to preserve the quality of the site.
After reading this article, know there are some things to consider for your next camping trip. Being prepared is the sure fire way to ensure that you will have a good time no matter what comes your way. This article will cover what you need to know about camping.
Keep a map with you of all of the trails that surround your campground. You could accidentally make a wrong turn and discover you are lost. Having a map handy will prove invaluable. It can help you ‘find’ yourself, and you can return to the campsite before night falls.