Nearly everyone loves to go camping! This is time well spent with nature and discovery for those seeking solitude. Camping allows everyone on the trip to bond with each other through living in nature, but it helps to know a bit first. Examine these following tips so you can make the best of your trip.
Expect that camping is not typically a time you can stay clean easily. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy the freedom, let your hair down, and get a little dirtier than usual. You can get clean when you get home.
When you purchase a new tent for camping, take it home and completely set the tent up before going on a camping trip. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. That can also cut down on the frustration some feel when setting a tent up for the first time.
Take a first aid class, particularly if you are traveling with children. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Make sure to do your research. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. The Internet is a great resource for finding weather related information for the area you will be camping in. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. This means a safe parking place for RV campers. Search for flat, dry ground when camping in a tent. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Without proper preparation, a camping trip can turn into a disaster. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
A cute way to add fun to meals is to make what is known as a “jungle meal”. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. Let younger children wake up and hunt for their breakfast. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.
Before you decide to take off on a camping trip somewhere you’ve never been, you need to do some research on what the area is like and be aware of the local risks and dangers. This would include stuff like what spiders dwell there, how steep the terrain is, and if the area is prone to flooding. Every camping trip has different dangers.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
While kids often have fun when camping, make sure to make plans to keep them entertained. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. Are they used to pitching tents and fishing? If they have not spent much time outdoors, show them the basics before you leave.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. You may run out of supplies early. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.
Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. Also, use a tarp under your tent to keep water out and prevent damage.
Sleeping Bag
Be prepared for your next camping adventure by taking precautions on conserving flashlight batteries. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Always pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the weather. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. The main goal with your sleeping bag is to conserve body heat, which means having a snug bag that hugs the body.
Be aware of your campsite location. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. You might also want to carry bug repellent too.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. Pack plenty of different items of clean clothing for all types of weather. Always bring temperature appropriate clothing for your campsite. It is also a good idea to bring a few pairs of shoes so that you have extras in case of mud or water getting into them.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don’t feel like cooking. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Make sure to have a picture of your children when camping with them. If you lose a child at any point, having a picture to show rescuers or search parties could be very useful. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. The distinction often boils down to your level of preparation. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. You want to avoid erecting your tent near a wasp’s nest or other insect habitats. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
It’s important to clean the campsite you used when it’s time to leave. Bring garbage bags with you on the trip so that you have a place to store all of the trash. Look around for any excess food, don’t leave it behind. Leave only your footprints should be your motto as you clean your camp.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. This is a great way to avoid a situation getting out of control.
As silly as it may seem, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you camp in a place with no toilets, you’ll need to go in the woods. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
Have you thought about how you are going to prepare food when you are camping? Before you leave you should decide just how to cook and what you’ll need to bring for it. People enjoy cooking their food over an open fire, but it can be extremely hard if you do not have the right cooking supplies.
When you’re getting a survival kit together for camping, it’s recommended to bring waterproof matches. These matches should be kept in a container that’s airtight. You can make regular matches waterproof by dipping them into either paraffin or nail polish. Your canister for storing them could be a plastic medicine bottle or an old film-roll container.
When you are camping, it is vital to make sure tent has good ventilation and stays dry. If your tent does not have adequate ventilation, condensation can occur. You might find yourself waking up wet. Crack one of your tent’s vents, doors or windows so that moisture does not build up.
How are you going to cook when you go camping? It is essential to plan for cooking before you leave, so that you can have the tools on hand to do so successfully. A lot of people are excited about cooking thing over a flame, but that is hard to do without the right supplies.
Use older shower curtains as a cheap tarp. You could also put it down in the area in which you are going to wash your dishes or prepare your food. Rather than throwing out your next shower curtain, throw it in the laundry and save it for camping.
Plan to dress in layers. Weather can change on a dime. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. During the evenings, it can get pretty chilly. The layers will allow you to adapt your attire to the changing weather throughout the day.
First aid kits are critical to any camping trip. You need to be able to deal with any accidents that may occur while away. Your kit for first aid should contain painkillers, a kit for snake bites, bandages, and whatever else you think you’ll need. Accidents can and do happen on many camping trips, so always travel prepared.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. Campfire songs and roasting marshmallows aren’t the only fun things to do while camping. Use your imagination to come up with ideas that each family member will enjoy. Make sure to plan some fun for even the youngest members of your group.
Pack enough food, water and drinks for your trip. If you don’t do this then you might find yourself going to the store a lot during your trip. Food waste should be burned so that animals are not attracted to your campsite by the smell.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is important. Make sure to purchase a high SPF since you’ll be outdoors for long periods of time. Your ideal sunscreen will also contain a bug repellent. When you go camping, you won’t want to have a lot of chemicals on you.
Downstream is the best place for you to go to the bathroom while camping. By doing this, the water that flows past the campsite will be clean. Make sure to relieve yourself well away from your campsite.
While camping is a favorite vacation activity, if proper packing and planning is not done, it can be dangerous and disastrous for all involved. This article should have taught you what you should know to have a truly memorable camping trip.
It is a good idea to set up your shelter before darkness arrives. If you notice the sun going down, it may be dark before you’re done setting up your tent. If you did not bring a tent, constructing a shelter in the daylight is much easier than when it is dark.
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