To some people the thought of camping inspires thoughts of bugs, inclement weather, and burned hot dogs. This doesn’t have to be the case. It can mean great food, good times and no bugs if preparations are made. Read on to learn ways to plan your camping trip to keep it enjoyable.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. A sleep bag designed for winter camping would make you sweat during the summer. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You may even risk hypothermia.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. You can get cleaned up when you return home.
Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. This will let you know that you’re not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. You should have no problem sleeping and getting through the nights when camping.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. While camping, you might really miss the luxury of showering. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. That small piece of cloth could become a potholder, a bag, a blotter or a towel. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
It’s not totally necessary to rough it during your entire trip. You can bring along something comforting from home for your trip. Make it something easy to transport like your favorite coffee sweetener or candy. Such little luxuries will really pick up your spirits!
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. When you finish eating them, save all of your peels and rub them around your body to use as a natural insect repellent.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. These types of pillows are prone to taking in the moisture in the air and can even mold if left in wet conditions for too long. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.
Rolls of duct tape can be useful to take along on any camping trips you have planned in the future. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. It can also seal rips in tarps, a sleeping bag, or the tent. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. You can also put it over bandages for extra protection.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don’t like camping. 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.
Bring all of the essentials that you will need while camping. Forgetting a few simple items could be disastrous for your trip. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. Don’t forget sleeping bags, water, utility knives, anti-bacterial soap and sanitizer, fire starters and a sturdy tent.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Not all people are dog lovers, and some are extremely terrified of dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Also, your pet could be destructive to other people’s belongings.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. You can safeguard the power by slipping the batteries in backwards in the flashlight cylinder. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. Keep all food items wrapped tightly and securely away from your tent. Some kinds of foods should be avoided altogether. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Experts have disclosed that simply rubbing the inner peel of a ripened orange on exposed skin can act as a repellant. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! Try to plan your camping trip as best you can, but know that unexpected events can arise. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. Never take unnecessary risks or be careless, and always think before you act.
After reading this article, you should now know that camping can be quite enjoyable. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. They are great for helping you steer clear of camping pitfalls so that you can enjoy nothing but the benefits.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.