Camping offers the opportunity to rediscover your humble self and to reconnect with nature. Two things you will need for going camping: good information and a destination. This article is full of valuable camping tips. Continue reading.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it in a dry place.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once the sky becomes dark, finding a good spot for your tent, necessary firewood and food preparation become near impossible. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Try to avoid setting up after the sun sets.
Take a first-aid class, especially if children are camping with you. Accidents happen, and taking the right precautions will ensure you know how to better a poor situation. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Are there any poisonous snakes, plants or any other things you should know before you head out?
You might think that you can find all of the wood that you need to keep the fire going, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it in a dry place.
Before you leave home to go camping, check to see if inclement weather is predicted in the area you are planning to visit. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
Survival Kit
Even the most natural experience can allow for one nice luxury from home. It can be something as simple as your favorite pillow or coffee creamer. You can really feel good on your trip when you bring these food items.
Always pack and carry a survival kit. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. This survival kit may be what keeps you alive if you get lost and the items in it are indispensable in a survival situation. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. When you get through eating an orange, rub the peel on exposed skin to keep pesky bugs away.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. You can visit http://www.weather.com to check the weather just about anywhere. Be sure to look at the 10 day forecast along with extended weather patterns. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Before you plan to camp in an new area, it is important to be aware of any dangers commonly found there. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Every camping area has different dangers that you should be aware of.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
If you’re camping with kids, try a “jungle breakfast”. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. It’s a fun way to make camping a little more exciting for the children.
Come prepared for everything when you’re preparing to camp. Remember, though, that you can’t plan for every eventuality. Also, be aware that the weather can be very unpredictable. Always avoid unnecessary risks and try not to be careless.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. The thing people tend to miss most while camping is the convenience of their home shower. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. You can avoid dead batteries by installing them in the flashlight backwards until you need the light. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
If you’re going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you’re very careful about your food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. Taking these precautions can significantly lower you chances of being attacked.
An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. If you arrive at your camping destination and realize you’ve forgotten to pack bug repellant, fear not. Experts have disclosed that simply rubbing the inner peel of a ripened orange on exposed skin can act as a repellant. This will help you to avoid insects.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. Also, bring additional batteries in the event of an emergency. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Write down a list of your necessary items before heading out on a camping excursion. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance to get to your camp site. Use your list to guide your packing and make sure to start packing a few days before the start of your trip.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. This should be done when the sun is present so that you can use natural light.
Cold Weather
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. To avoid a potential tragedy, carry a map and compass with you.
Make sure your sleeping bag is fit for the environment in which you are going to camp. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Keep your food safe when you are camping. Pack it in airtight containers and make sure they are waterproof too. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Make sure your hands are clean whenever you are preparing food either by washing them or using hand sanitizer. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. If everything was packed but you didn’t remember the bug spray, don’t worry! Rub the inner peel of an orange over your body as mosquitoes will refrain from biting you. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
When you are camping, clothing layers are ideal. You may find that the weather conditions can change rapidly. It can be chilly in the early morning, only to be followed up with a sweltering, humid afternoon. Just as quickly, evening can become cold again. You will have to have a lot of layers of clothing so you are always ready for the weather, whatever it is.
Find a great location to set up your camper. You don’t want to camp very close to bee hives or ant hills. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. Don’t forget to bring along the bug spray.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. You do not need to stick to just sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. Get creative and plan for things that everyone will enjoy. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
You can always enjoy a great camping trip if you’re aware of what to do and how to relax. Camping can teach you tons about yourself. Keep these tips in mind when getting ready to go camping so you can have a good time.
A first aid kid is essential to have in your camping gear. The kit has to have in it everything you need in an emergency situation. Your kit for first aid should contain painkillers, a kit for snake bites, bandages, and whatever else you think you’ll need. Being safe is very important when you’re in the wild and accidents will happen, so be prepared.