Nothing really beats spending time with your friends and family beneath the stars. Camping is something that people agree is fun to do. That said, in order to ensure that your camping trip is fun and enjoyable, you do need to take a few things into consideration when planing such a trip. Read on to learn some tips that will help you prepare properly for a camping trip.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
Oranges are good things to bring for your camping trip, and not only as a healthy snack option. Keep the peels when you are finished eating them. Rub the peels on your body and mosquitoes will stay away.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. A bag that is intended for winter conditions will surely cause you to overheat when you are trying to sleep in summer weather. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. You may even risk hypothermia.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. It can fix so many different things, holes, leaks and just about anything else that arises.
After buying a tent, make sure to pitch it in your yard before you leave for a trip. This will allow you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Survival Kit
Pack some duct tape next time you embark on a camping trip. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. This can be used to close up any issues with your air mattress, which can save you money. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. It can also work as a bandage.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. You need to pack a flare gun, utility knife, matches and a first aid kit. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
Plan ahead and come prepared. You’ll need a sleeping bag, as well as extra blankets. This helps to warm you up in case it gets too cold at night. They are also good to use for extra padding.
Do not worry that you have packed too much stuff for the kids. Camping can get very messy and dirty when you bring your children. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. Your kids may become filthy as the day goes on. Know that you must accept that fact, but have a change of clothing for them so they can be comfortable. Be sure you’re prepared!
Are you just starting with camping and want to know what to do to make it enjoyable? Learn how to pitch your tent before you leave for the campsite. This will help you to be prepared with the right equipment and skills to pitch your tent with ease. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This makes it possible for everyone to sleep comfortably, and it also allows for room to move about and exit the tent if nature calls.
Sleeping bags can be purchased for a variety of camping conditions. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. You need a sleeping bag that fits snugly and keeps your body heat in if you’re going to sleep outside in a tent.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you’re prepared or not. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. If you’re going somewhere you’ve never been, do a little research about the land. Find out the weather, wildlife and the layout of the land.
It is advisable to bring beef jerky or trail mix with you on a camping trip. Nutrient filled snacks can replace the need to cook if you don’t have the means or the energy. These foods also keep well, eliminating the worry of spoilage.
Carry a handkerchief or bandanna while camping. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Know what dangers await you at your camping destination. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way.
A camping trip could be a relaxing, tranquil experience, or it could end up being a vacation from hell. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. The more prepared you are for your trip, the more likely that it will be the relaxing trip of your dreams.
It’s very important that you bring the proper items on your camping trip. Forgetting one or two key items could result in disaster. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Prepare for camping by packing smart. Prepare a list of supplies, and use this to check off items as they are packed. This will save you the inconvenience of forgetting something and having to stop for it and it is very important, especially if your are going to a remote location.
Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! Try to plan your camping trip as best you can, but know that unexpected events can arise. Also, be aware that the weather can be very unpredictable. Always avoid unnecessary risks and try not to be careless.
Duct tape is an important piece of camping equipment. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. Duct tape can seal up your tent and keep you dry, especially when the weather is not cooperating with you like you thought it would.
Make sure you have charged flashlights for the trip. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
Many people get food poisoning each year while camping because they do not pack properly. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Ice is important as it will help to keep your food chilled and fresh.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. You should bring insect repellant along.
Make sure that you take into consideration all safety precautions while camping. Stay away from larger animals, and be cautious even around smaller ones. Smaller animals can be a lot more dangerous than expected, like squirrels for instance. If you encounter a bear, resist the urge to feed them.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. It’s likely that you’ll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. Even if you don’t eat them, these are non-perishable snacks that have a long shelf life.
Make sure to practice food safety whenever you go camping. Make sure to pack your foods in airtight containers. Use a cooler that is insulated properly and filled with ice if need be. Cooked food should be kept separate from raw in order to prevent cross-contamination. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Cook all your food thoroughly and chill leftovers quickly.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. Pitching a tent can be difficult enough in the daylight, let alone in the dark of night. You should pack a flashlight or make a fire while it is still light. However, setting up your camp while it is still daylight is always your best option.
Dress yourself up in multiple layers when you go camping. Outdoors weather changes frequently. It may be colder in the morning and all of a sudden the afternoon heats up and makes things humid. Late evenings often bring another cold spell. Make sure to layer your clothing so you are prepared for anything.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. 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.
If you are interested in camping in the woods but have never done so before, there is a quick way to test if you will enjoy it or not. Pitch a tent in your garden or backyard and spend one or two nights in it. Don’t wander back into the house at whim. Make yourself stay outside and live off the land that is your backyard, just as if you were deep in the woods! If you enjoy your experience, you might have fun camping!
As you can see, there are many things you can do ensure you have a great camping experience. Apply all that you have learned here so that your friends and family can have a blast with you in the woods.
For a longer camping trip, make sure you bring something to entertain yourself. Of course, if you bring too many electronics, you may defeat the purpose of the trip, but there is nothing better than sitting beside a lake reading, or listening to music beside a camp fire at night.
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