Nearly everyone loves to go camping! Taking time out to appreciate nature is a great way to spend time with your family or just with yourself. Camping outdoors is exciting and fun, but there is a lot to learn. The following advice can help you properly plan for your next camping trip.
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 prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. If you know this ahead of the actual trip, you can prepare for the inevitable and get yourself some extra supplies. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy the freedom, let your hair down, and get a little dirtier than usual. You can always take a bath back at the house.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Camping can be a messy affair. Children seem to be dirt magnets. As they go about enjoying the natural surroundings, you may find that dirt is added to dirt. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. Prepare ahead of time!
Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
It is always a smart idea to look into what the weather is going to be like, before going camping. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. This will help you prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. Camping can make you miss your shower. The cool water at a beach or pool will help you feel clean and refreshed.
When camping with children, create special themed breakfasts. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This is a fun way to bring excitement to the morning.
Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. Save the orange peels and rub them into your exposed skin. Insects will stay away from you for an affordable price.
Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. When camping, home showers can seem like a luxury. You’ll feel much cleaner by swimming in cool water. Therefore, you aren’t going to miss your home shower as much.
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. Find a flat, dry piece of ground if you’re pitching a tent. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
Emergency Kit
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
It’s imperative that you take along the things you need when you’re going camping. Forgetting one or two key items could result in disaster. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. Your list should include a sleeping bag, tent, tarp, water, food, knife, soap, fire-starting items and more.
Oranges are great for camping since they’re healthy, easy to eat, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Enjoy the oranges and then rub the inside of the peel on any exposed skin to keep insects at bay.
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Sleeping bags made of lightweight material are optimal for warmer climates. By contrast, you should invest in a heavy sleeping bag if you plan to camp in a cold area. You must have a bag that surrounds the body closely so that body heat can be retained.
It is extremely important to be properly equipped when you go camping. Forgetting one or two key items could result in disaster. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. You need a lot of things to take with you on a trip, and you don’t want to miss anything.
Always keep an eye on your children, no matter where they are. It is easy for children to get lost, and cars often come and go. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
Always be prepared when on a camping trip. While it’s crucial to plan ahead for things, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. It’s vital to everyone’s well being that no severe risks are taken and that all safety precautions are heeded.
An orange peel can help to avoid insect bites. If you neglected to pack mosquito spray, fear not. You can simply rub the inside of the orange peel on any exposed skin. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
Sleeping Bag
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Lighter bags might be good ideas for warmer climates and seasons to avoid unnecessary weight and space usage, but make sure that you have a heavy enough bag to stay warm in cold conditions. Make sure that your sleeping bag hugs your body. You want to be able to retain body heat.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. Having insect repellent is a really sound idea.
Make sure you always know where your children are. You have to be sure they don’t wander off into the woods. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. A survival kits and first aid kits can save your life.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
If you are tenting, it is important that you seal any of the seams in your tent. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This helps to prevent bugs, as well as rainwater, from coming in your tent.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. While this can seem convenient, it really isn’t. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. This location can result in excess noise and nuisance.
Cell Phone
Safety comes first when camping. That means to steer clear of large wildlife, and even some of the smaller creatures. Small animals can pose a threat if they feel they are in danger. Obviously, if you see bears, do not feed them.
It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. If that’s not an option, bring an extra battery. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.
Plan plenty of activities to keep yourself busy while camping. Campfires and making smores aren’t all there is to do when you’re going camping. Have some creativity and plan ahead for things that every member of your family finds entertaining. Always keep in mind the different age groups that you might have traveling with you.
Start setting up camp well before dark. When it’s dark outside it can be very hard to put your tent up. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. Making the effort to do the work before the sun goes down will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Your tent should be kept dry and well ventilated. If your tent is thoroughly sealed, perspiration and breathing can build condensation throughout your whole tent. You can wake up wet without adequate ventilation. It is best to get a tent that gives you the option to vent the tent so that this does not occur.
When going camping, always remember to take waterproof matches with you when you’re creating a survival kit. Keep them stored in an air and water tight container. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. The first aid kit should be well stocked in case an accident does occur. A first aid kit should include bandages, wound dressing, splints, aspirin and a snake bite kit. Accidents will happen on every trip, so it is important to take precautions in advance.
Camping is an all-time popular vacation activity for many, but it can pose potential dangers and a bad time, if not properly planned. Hopefully, you have found what you need in this article to start preparing for you trip, so it can be as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
If you’re camping where there are snakes, make your campsite snake-proof. Stay away from snake homes like woods, rocks or deep thickets. Also, check your equipment and tent for snakes before you go to sleep. Always seal your tent, and surround the outside with mounds of dirt.
