Many people do not realize how much fun camping can be for everyone. Mother Nature has a way of relaxing even the most stressed soul. This article can help assuage any fears you have about camping.
You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. It’s smart to bring your own wood and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. 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. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Don’t worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can get very messy and dirty when you bring your children. Kids love getting into dirt. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. Take extra clothing with you for your children. It’s best to be prepared.
When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. Doing this will allow to know ahead of time that all parts you need are there, and it will also help you learn the proper setup of your tent ahead of time. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. This helps you to have a more comfy night’s sleep, and trips in and out of the tent will be less disturbing for those who are sleeping.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. Also, do your research. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. Be sure you’re always prepared before you go camping. If you go someplace new, research wildlife and research the weather and geography.
Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are a number of sites that can provide detailed information regarding what to expect weather-wise during your trip. When you know what to expect, you will have the right clothes packed.
It’s not totally necessary to rough it during your entire trip. You can bring along something comforting from home for your trip. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, tent holes, worn soles on shoes, sealing mosquito nets, securing tent poles, and so much more.
Double check your medical insurance. Sometimes, being covered while out of state requires an additional policy. If you plan to travel to a different country, such as Canada, then its is especially important. It is important to always be prepared.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. Prepare all of the food you will take with your properly and find out what sort of precautions you should take.
A bandana or handkerchief can be a great addition to your camping equipment. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper towel. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
Make sure you have charged flashlights for the trip. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
Camp Site
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. If your camping with a tent, make sure to find a dry area that is also flat so you can pitch your tent with ease. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
You next camping trip can turn out to be a weekend full of relaxation or it can be a nightmare. How your camping experience turns out is down to one key factor: preparation. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. When it’s dark outside it can be very hard to put your tent up. You need either a fire or a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents are pretty durable, but they still have the tendency to get weathered and torn. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. It is very inconvenient to forget to bring essential items like your sleeping bag or tent. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. Avoid problems by learning to use these items that can save your life.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. You could run into problems with your gear, or decide to cut the trip short. You may run short of food or need more clothing than you packed. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler’s drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
Make it a point to properly prepare your flashlight when you pack for your trip. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. You do not want to use leaves to wipe yourself, as they may contain poison ivy, so take your toilet paper with you.
Orange Peel
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, if it is winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won’t freeze during the night.
An orange peel can help repel mosquitoes. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Experts have said that you can just rub inner side of an orange peel on any exposed skin. This should keep you free from mosquitoes and other pesky insects of the woods for hours.
If you think you might enjoy a camping trip but have never actually tried it before, give yourself a quick test-run to make sure you like it. Pitch a tent in your yard and sleep under the stars. During your night in the tent, do not access any of the facilities in your house. You will probably enjoy camping if you enjoy doing this.
Pay attention to where you’re setting up camp. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. Always bring insect repellent on any camping trip.
You should never camp without your first aid kit. This should include anything you might need if you have an accident. 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. Accidents happen even when precautions are taken.
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Use an airtight container to store them. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. You can also make a caddy for them out of a 35mm film container or a medicine bottle made out of plastic.
Pocket lint is an essential for camping. Lint from your dryer is a great campfire starter. The lint can make fire that burns brighter than one created with sticks or wood chips. Just a spark on the lint will do the trick!
Now that you have the basic information for camping, start planning your next camping trip! You can become a camping pro in no time, by applying all that you have just learned. No matter where you are headed, your trip will be truly memorable.
Whenever you’re going to camp by a stream or a river, and you have to use the restroom, do it downstream. This will avoid any contamination of the water near your camp site. Try to take care of this business more than a hundred yards from your campsite.