Is there a camping trip in your future? Stay tuned for some information about a few of the challenges you may encounter. While it’s pretty basic to know how to camp, it still takes a little bit of preparation and skill. Read this article for some helpful suggestions.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. 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.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. Someone who isn’t very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you go someplace new, research wildlife and research the weather and geography.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Read up on your medical insurance. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This can be especially important if you leave the country on your trip, such as camping across the border in Canada. Be sure you’re prepared to be on the safe side!
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. When you have accurate weather information, the right clothing and equipment can be included in your supplies.
Consider having a “jungle breakfast” if you are on a camping trip with children. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.
Try to get your camp fully set up by nightfall. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
Duct tape is important to pack because it can be used for a good bit of things. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows made specifically for camping have a protective layer that keeps these things from happening.
Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Additionally, dogs can wreak a lot of havoc on a campsite if they are not supervised properly.
Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag. Double check the items you want to take and make a check list before you leave to make sure that you bring everything with you.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Be prepared for anything when you go camping. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. Weather can change, situations can arise, injuries or illness can strike. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
Duct Tape
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. This is especially crucial if the campgrounds are in a remote location. Prepare for your trip a couple days prior to leaving and use a check list to ensure you have everything as you pack.
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can even use it to bandage up injuries.
A utility knife can serve you well on your camping trip. A utility knife is very convenient to carry while you are camping, so make sure to bring a spare in case one is lost.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. It’s very helpful to write out a list and cross each item off once you have packed it. You will want to include everything you need, no matter how big or small, to ensure that you have what you need while you are away from home.
Pack carefully and wisely. Make a list of what you’ll need and check it off as you get things packed. This helps to reduce the chance of an emergency impacting the quality of your trip.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping on a slope or a spot with a rocky surface. Prevent water from getting in by placing a tarp or plastic sheet under the floor of your tent.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. Your skill using a compass and a map can be a lifesaver one day.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. Shoes that are durable enough to handle rough terrain should be worn at all times.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. Bring preserved foods and foods that don’t spoil easily. Bring lots of ice to prevent food from spoiling, and remove the drain plug on the cooler so your food stays dry.
Cell Phone
Whenever you’re choosing a sleeping bag, pick one out that’s for the climate you’re in. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. This is a good piece of knowledge to follow because you don’t want to feel uncomfortable sleeping.
You should never leave your car or basecamp without a fully-charged cell phone. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. The cell phone comes in handy in emergency situations, so you will need all the battery power you can get.
Plan your whole entire trip and add some fun activities for the whole family. You can do much more when camping than just toast marshmallows. Come up with creative ideas and plan something fun for each person to do in your camping party. This is especially true if you are bringing children or older family members along for the trip.
Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Get rid of things like trash and leftover food. A basic camping rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Try to prevent your tent from getting wet and be sure it is properly ventilated. If your tent is sealed tightly, it will create condensation on not only the tent, but also on items in the tent. The moisture can drip on you, which can be a big problem during the winter. Tents are usually equipped with ventilation slots and zippered windows and doors that can easily be opened to avoid a build up of excess moisture and that provide a nice cross-breeze.
Always make sure that your sleeping bag is light enough or heavy enough for the season you will be using it in. Choose a lighter bag for summer months, as an example. When it’s cold, you need to have a sleeping bag that will handle sub zero temperatures.
Make sure you pack some basic first aid supplies into your camping equipment. Kits need to include everything necessary in the event of injuries. The first aid kit should include bandages, allergy and pain medicine and other essentials. Accidents can occur, so safety is utterly important.
Make sure that you take into consideration all safety precautions while camping. This includes avoiding interaction with any wildlife. That cute little squirrel may not be the friendly cute companion that it seems to be. If you encounter a bear, resist the urge to feed them.
Bring some toilet paper and baby wipes on your trip. While you could certainly “rough it” and use leaves, there’s not really a good reason to torture yourself when wipes and toilet paper are easily transported.
After reading the article you are better prepared to start your camping adventure. Camping is by no means a fancy outing, but you should always be prepared for a few basic things that can occur. Have a most amazing time and ensure that you put this information to good use while away.
Dryer lint doesn’t always have to be thrown out. You can use it on your camping adventure. That sounds silly, but lint can actually help you build a great campfire. Lint creates a much hotter fire than sticks do. You simply need a spark and the link for a warm, quick fire.
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