Are you planning to go on a camping adventure? Are you prepared to learn about what could possibly happen when you’re out there camping? Though common sense can cover most of these situations, it never hurts to do some homework to ensure that you cover your bases. Keep reading for some great advice.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Have fun on your trip and don’t worry about getting messy; it happens. You can get clean when you get home.
Find where you will camp before sunset. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. 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.
Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
A tent needs to be the proper size for all people staying in it. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. This is a fun way to bring excitement to the morning.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
Oranges can be used for insect repellent. Keep the peels when you are finished eating them. Rub the peels on your body and mosquitoes will stay away.
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you’ll have to get an additional policy to cover you. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Set your campsite, tent and sleeping bags up before it gets dark. If you are in an RV, a safe parking spot should be found. Find a flat, dry piece of ground if you’re pitching a tent. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Dryer lint is a great item to bring if you are trying to start a campfire. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Always have all your gear prepared before the trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Verify all the things that you need or should take and write out a list of all of them. Then, check your final packing according to the list to be sure.
Bring oranges with you since they are great for snacking and repelling insects. Just keep the peels in a plastic bag after you eat the orange and then use them to rub on your skin as the sun begins to go down. It is a cheap and effective way to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
When you bring a canine along on a camping trip, don’t forget his leash and to keep a close eye on him always. A lot of people have a fear of dogs. Respect for other campers is an important aspect of public camping. Your dog might even damage someone else’s property if not properly supervised.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. Get online with them and show them what poison ivy, poisonous snakes, and other dangers look like. This will help your kids know what to avoid when exploring.
Are you a new camper with a brand new tent? Before you head into the wilderness, take some time to learn about your tent and pitch it. If you have successfully done it at home, pitching it at your campsite will be easier. This can help you finish it quickly if you get to the campsite prior to it getting dark.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. You should keep that in mind while you are on your camping trip. Also, dogs can damage your campsite or another person’s campsite if they’re not watched carefully.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. Forgetting a few simple items could be disastrous for your trip. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. Some must have items include a tent, sleeping bags, a couple of tarps, food and water, a knife and fire starting supplies.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. Lightweight sleeping bags tend to work better in warmer weather and heavyweight sleeping bags tend to work better in colder weather. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. You need a sleeping bag that fits snugly and keeps your body heat in if you’re going to sleep outside in a tent.
Everyone knows to make a shelter, but many forget you should do it before dark! Tent building in the dark is a major obstacle to confront. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have 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.
Never let your kids roam out of your sight. Cars and campers will be pulling in and out, and there is always the possibility of little ones getting quickly lost in an unfamiliar forest. It doesn’t take much time for something to occur, so be sure your kids are properly supervised.
Figure out how to read maps and use a compass before your camping trips. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. You can avoid things going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. When near vegetation, long sleeves shirts and long pants will keep insects from getting on your skin. Always bring insect repellent on any camping trip.
Even if it seems silly, bring toilet paper. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. Rather than using leaves as a substitute, just bring your own toilet paper.
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. 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.
An old shower curtain makes the perfect DIY tent tarp. You can also use it as a way to control run-off as you are washing or cooking. Instead of getting rid of an old shower curtain, use it for your next camping trip.
Camping Trip
Bring some toilet paper and baby wipes on your trip. Although you can tough it out and use leaves, you can make it easier on yourself and buy bathroom tissue or baby wipes at the local store.
You can have the relaxing camping trip of your dreams, or you can have the disastrous camping trip of your nightmares. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. If you are able to think ahead about what you might come across, and protect yourself against it, you will have a great time camping.
Sunscreen is very important to use for skin protection while camping. This is important to use for protection from the sun while camping. Purchase a sunscreen that will provide you with optimal sun protection. Sunscreen with bug repellent is an excellent choice for camping trips. That way, you can avoid applying any more products than necessary on your trip.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. Pitching tents in the dark can be almost impossible. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. This should be done when the sun is present so that you can use natural light.
Bring lots of water and food on your camping trip. It’s also important to find out if their are bear-proof garbage cans in the area, or that you learn how to hang your food in trees if there are bears near your camping location. Burn your garbage so that its odor does not draw bears in.
Duct Tape
Try to pitch your tent before night falls. Remember, it can get dark quickly so it is important to allow ample time to set up your campsite. This is especially true if you are camping without a tent and will need to create your own shelter.
Bring duct tape with you on your camping adventures. Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. A little duct tape can means you can still sleep dry through a rainy night.
Consult some cookbooks before you head out on a camping trip. The usual camping foods such as hot dogs and hamburgers can get boring. Try to add some variation to the meals that you create. There are other simple foods that you can prepare while camping. Bring along a few spices to dress up meals, as well.
When erecting your tent, ensure that all of the tent’s seams are sealed. If your tent doesn’t have it, you may purchase a tube at a sporting goods store. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
Bring all the necessary items for a camping trip with your pet. You need some proper restraints just in case they encounter other animals. Always have a leash as well. Also, vaccinate your pets so that they are safe in the wilderness. Don’t forget basics like food, bowls and water. Clean up after your pets and dispose of the waste properly.
A lot of people contract food poisoning because they don’t properly pack their food. Food that has not been preserved, vacuum sealed or canned can spoil and give you food poisoning. Pack plenty of ice to keep any perishable foods cold and remember to pull the drain plug in the cooler so the food does not get soaked.
Never go camping without more clothes and food than you think you will need. It is really best to have both in the event of an emergency. You never know when weather or getting detained on the trail might cause you to need extra supplies, so it’s always good to be prepared.
Now that you’ve read these tips, you should be aware of things that you must prepare for prior to your camping trip. It is best to always be prepared. When you follow the great advice above, you will treasure the memories of your trip for years to come.
If you camp at a public campground, turn out your lights or put them on timers before going to bed. Some campers may leave their outdoor lights on the entire night. You waste power and disturb other campers by doing this.
