Are you getting ready for a camping trip? Are you prepared for some camping basics? While many aspects of camping are simple, you need to take some time to review the basics. Here are some tips to ensure you have a fantastic time.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. You may even get hypothermia.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Talk about the state you wish to see. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! Make a list of your favorites and allow the family to vote.
Never assume that you will find enough wood to burn, because rain can change that in an instant. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. 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 think you’ll miss the luxuries of home, bring along a liitle something. It could be something as simple as coffee or nice hand cream. Such little luxuries will really pick up your spirits!
Examine your medical insurance policy. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you’ll have to get an additional policy to cover you. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. You will be able to see the area better before nightfall and become familiar with it. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
Always bring along a well-stocked emergency kit when you head out on a camping trip. The content of this kit should be personalized to the type of camping you will be doing. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. Figure out if there are any poisonous insects, what the land looks like and how the weather will be. Every camping area has its dangers.
Purchase some special camping pillows. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Camping pillows, on the other hand, possess a protective coating that prevents that from happening.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. Depending on how long you’re planning to be camping, it’s important to have things that won’t go bad during the trip. Getting food poisoning can bring an abrupt end to a camping trip. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.
Always become familiar with the potential dangers of a campsite before you enter it. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. All camping spots have some dangers associated with them and you want to make sure you pick a spot that isn’t too bad.
Orange Peel
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. If you want to end your trip, you will be close to home. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Pesky mosquito bites can be avoided with an orange peel. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Experts say that if you rub your body with the inside of the orange peel, it will keep the annoying bugs away. This should keep you free from mosquitoes and other pesky insects of the woods for hours.
If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, don’t forget his leash. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. It is important that you respect others while you are camping. In addition, dogs are capable of causing a great deal of damage to a campsite if not well supervised.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. One thing to consider is whether or not there are insect nests in the space in which you want to set up. If the campsite has a lot of vegetation, protect exposed skin by wearing long pants and sleeves. You should bring insect repellant along.
Are you just starting with camping and want to know what to do to make it enjoyable? Before you head into the wilderness, take some time to learn about your tent and pitch it. This will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, for a more enjoyable trip when you understand your tent. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you know what your campsite is like, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. You can avoid potential tragedy by learning how to use these lifesaving items.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. Always avoid camping near a bee’s nest or insect breeding grounds. If you must erect your tent near dense areas of vegetation, make sure that you wear tops with long sleeves and full length pants in order to protect your body’s skin from insect bites. You should also have insect repellent.
Seal all your tent’s seams. If your tent doesn’t have it, you may purchase a tube at a sporting goods store. This will prevent rainwater or critters from getting into your tent.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. Nutrient filled snacks can replace the need to cook if you don’t have the means or the energy. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.
Sleeping Bag
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the season. For example, if you are going camping during the summer months, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, so that your body does not overheat during the night. Conversely, you’ll need a heavy bag during cold winter nights to keep you from freezing.
When camping, pack carefully and wisely. Make a checklist of supplies that you will need on your camping trip, and check items off as you pack them. This is imperative if you’re camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Plan your whole entire trip and add some fun activities for the whole family. Only planning for campfires and smores might leave you bored for the rest of the day. Plan activities that create fun for everyone at the campsite. Make sure that all age groups of your family are considered in your planning.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. When it’s dark, it’s hard to pitch your tent. You’d have to do it with the light from a fire or from a flashlight, both of which could be difficult. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.
Thanks to the information you read above, you are surely in a better position to have a great camping experience the next time you go. Camping trips need not be complicated, but, as you can see, there are some basic tips that can really help. This article will cover what you need to know about camping.
Bring toilet paper along when you travel. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.