If you have never enjoyed the wonderful experience of camping out, you are definitely missing out. Sleeping and waking up to nature is one of the most relaxing things imaginable. Camping is really not as difficult as it may seem. With a little advice from this article, you can become an outdoor junkie in no time.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it in a dry place.
All participants should have a say in where you go camping. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. There is a lot of mess that goes along with camping. Kids are always attracted to dirt. Your kids may become filthy as the day goes on. You don’t want to interrupt their fun, it’s a joy of camping after all; but, keep some extra clothing with you for them. There is nothing like being prepared!
Learn to set up your tent prior to leaving on your trip. This helps you learn to put up your tent and make sure there aren’t missing pieces. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Learn proper first aid. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. Do your research properly. Know the types of wild animals that inhabit the woods and gain understanding of any poisonous snakes or plants nearby.
Do not worry that you have packed too much stuff for the kids. Camping can be a sloppy time. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. You can’t avoid the dirt, but some extra clothes will help out. It is important to be prepared.
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. 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.
Children love camping, but be sure that you provide them with activities. Being in the woods can be boring for them as time goes on. Make sure that they get acquainted with different camping activities such as fishing and pitching the tent. Teach them the basics of these activities before leaving for your trip, especially if they don’t have lots of outdoor experience.
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
When you take children camping with you, make sure to go over some of the dangers associated with camping. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.
When you take children camping with you, make sure to go over some of the dangers associated with camping. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.
If you will be camping in an area that is known for having dangerous wildlife, you need to double up your precautions when it comes to food. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. Also, put a tarp down on your site to repel water in the best fashion.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Sleeping Bag
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. This is critical if you are going to be covering some ground before getting to the spot where you pitch your tent. Start packing a few days ahead of your trip, and tick items off as you pack them.
Your sleeping bag should be able to accommodate a variety of camping conditions. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. A good sleeping bag will cling to the human body and help it to retain as much body heat as possible.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. It’s likely that you’ll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. They stay fresh for a while, so you do not have to worry about them going bad if you do not use them up right away.
An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Make sure to carry a utility knife with you when you are camping. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
Take pictures of your children with you when you camp. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
It’s vital to pack first aid and survival kits. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious from becoming deadly and earn yourself enough time to get the injured some medical help.
Beef Jerky
Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. Thus, campers will find that they are greatly inconvenienced by their proximity to the restrooms.
Beef jerky and trail mix are two camping staples you should always bring with you. When the day ends, you may feel so tired you aren’t in the mood for cooking. Nutrient-rich treats like beef jerky and trail mix will help satisfy your hunger. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. If an accident happens, you will have what you need. The best way to ensure that you are prepared is to bring along both a first aid kit and a snake bite kit to ensure that you are prepared for any injury. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.
Prepare for camping by packing smart. Create a list of equipment and supplies that you may need while camping, and cross out each item as you pack it. This is very important if you’re going to a far away place that doesn’t have first aid supplies or thing you’ll need when an emergency arises.
If you’re going camping, you absolutely must pack lots of sunscreen. You must stay protected from the sun’s rays. Choose a sunscreen that has a high SPF. Ideally, you may want to look for a sunscreen that provides protection from bugs at the same time. You certainly don’t want to be smothered in stinky, irritating chemicals while meandering about in the woods.
With advice in hand, it’s time to start planning your adventure! Use the information you learned to become a master camper. No matter where you go, near or far, you can have a wonderful time.
Make sure that your camping packing includes more than enough beverages and food. If bears are known to live in the area, be sure to stow your food a good distance away from where you are sleeping. Burn any garbage you can to avoid attracting bears to the campsite with the smell.
