Nothing really beats spending time with your friends and family beneath the stars. It is widely accepted that camping is a great recreational activity. While it can be fun, you must take the time to prepare and plan for it to be as much fun as possible. In this article, we are going to provide you with some tips and advice that should come in useful during your next camping adventure.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you prepare yourself for this ahead of time, it won’t stress you out as much when it happens. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. You can go back to normal when you go home.
Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. A sleep bag designed for winter camping would make you sweat during the summer. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. You might even get hypothermia.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. 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.
When buying a tent, be sure that it’s large enough to accommodate you and any guests you have. This will ensure you are able to comfortably move around without disturbing people you are sharing your tent with.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. You might long for a good shower when you are camping. When swimming, you will feel refreshed and cleaner. If you use some biodegradable soap, you can get just as clean as you would at home.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. Be sure to do thorough research too. Find out if the area has poisonous snakes, what type of wildlife lives in the woods, etc.
Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
Kids might enjoy a camping activity called the “jungle breakfast.” Tie up small boxes of juice, cereal and food to a tree. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This will add some adventure and fun to their day.
Be sure to pack a sufficient amount of the proper foods. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Prepare all of the food you will take with your properly and find out what sort of precautions you should take.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. If you have a tent, carefully select the plot of land you are going to use. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. 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.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. Forgetting something important, such as a sleeping bag, is a terrible feeling. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. If you don’t normally spend time outside, show them before you go camping.
Keep an eye on your children when you go camping. People may be driving around the campsites, and it’s also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they’re not familiar with an area. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. This is so you can easily get home if you don’t enjoy your camping experience. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
You should be sure you have survival and first aid kits. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. You can avoid making situations worse, and you can take an injured person for help in a safe way.
If you bring your dog with you on your trip, make sure they are on a leash and that you watch them carefully. A lot of people have a fear of dogs. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. You do not want then to ruin anyone’s campsite due to lack of supervision.
Before going camping, make sure you know how to read your map or how to use your compass. It is still possible to get lost at the camp grounds even though you have already been there, because campsites look similar. To steer clear of calamities, learning the right way to use such lifesaving tools is key.
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. You want a sleeping bag that is close to your body and helps you retain your body heat if you plan to sleep in a tent.
People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Pack an adequate supply of ice for keeping perishable foods nice and cold and be sure to drain your cooler’s plug so the food doesn’t get soaked.
Think about your clothing before your camping adventure. You should have clean clothes that will last you the entire trip. Clothing that is appropriate for the climate in which you will be camping should also be carried. Shoes that will hold up and have closed toes are what you should wear for the most part.
As crazy as it might sound, do not forget to pack some toilet paper. If there are no restrooms in your camp area, you must go in the woods. You certainly don’t want to be wiping yourself with leaves.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. This picture could be used to help find them if they were to get separated from the group and lost. Make sure you bring one for emergencies, especially if you are camping far from home.
Always do everything possible to stay safe while on a camping trip. This means you need to avoid large and small wildlife. Even the smallest creature can be surprisingly dangerous. Obviously, stay away from larger animals like bears and never feed them.
Bringing along a cell phone with a full charge isn’t a bad idea while camping. If that’s not an option, bring an extra battery. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Keep the tent well ventilated and dry. When a tent is totally sealed, condensation may occur in the sleeping bags, floor, roof, and walls from breathing and sweating. The moisture can drip on you, which can be a big problem during the winter. Make sure that vents are open to provide the ventilation that prevents this build up of moisture. If your tent does not have a vent, crack a door or window open instead.
First aid and survival kits are essential to bring while camping. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. This is a great way to avoid a situation getting out of control.
Again, you need to consider a lot of things when planning a camping trip or other outdoor adventure. Ensure that you take head of the tips featured above, as by doing so, you will be able to enjoy a safe adventure into the great outdoors with family and friends.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose for your camping trip is right for the time of year and all the weather it brings. During the summer, you will want to choose a light sleeping bag. However, during the winter, you’re going to need a heavier bag if you don’t want to freeze at night.
