If you enjoyed camping as a child, then you can still enjoy it as an adult. With good information, and some advance planning, it can still be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. These suggestions will help.
Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
After buying a tent, make sure to pitch it in your yard before you leave for a trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. That can also cut down on the frustration some feel when setting a tent up for the first time.
Check weather reports in the area you plan to camp in. You may even be able to find a website that gives you a general idea of the normal weather patterns in that area. Armed with the forecast, you can prepare yourself with appropriate clothing and camping gear.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. You could also read about different first aid techniques online. Know the types of wild animals that inhabit the woods and gain understanding of any poisonous snakes or plants nearby.
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. Let the kids go out hunt for their breakfast. It’s a fun way to make camping a little more exciting for the children.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. Something small and lightweight is appropriate, like candy or some cream for coffee. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Don’t forget the duct tape when you pack for a camping trip, to solve just about any dilemma! You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
Make sure that you are aware of the perils around the camping site that you choose. Knowing what poisonous creatures to watch out for, where terrain gets rugged, and when to expect dangerous weather are key to ensuring your safety. Every campsite can have its own dangers.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Camping is fun for children, but make sure to plan out some extra activities they will like. Far from civilization, kids tend to get bored. They may not be familiar with things like fishing, putting up a tent or otherwise roughing it. Teach them the basics of these activities before leaving for your trip, especially if they don’t have lots of outdoor experience.
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Every camping area has different dangers that you should be aware of.
Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Bringing a dog on your camping trip is fine as long as you bring a leash and keep a close eye on them. Some people fear dogs. You should keep that in mind while you are on your camping trip. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don’t keep a good eye on them.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. You may accidentally turn on a flashlight while you’re looking through what you have packed for your trip. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
Are you just starting out in the world of camping? Learn how to pitch your tent before you leave for the campsite. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. Practicing how to pitch a tent will also ensure you can quickly set up your tent when you arrive at your campsite.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. Don’t worry if you forgot your bug spray. Experts suggest rubbing the inside peel of a ripe orange over the exposed parts of your body. This can last a few hours and make your trip a more comfortable one.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. You will need a light source to see clearly once the sun sinks in the sky. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. It is a great idea to bring one flashlight for each person, especially when camping with children.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. Always keep one ready for emergency use, especially when a good distance from the home.
Make sure you have a charged phone somewhere near you, like in the car. 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.
Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. You have to be sure you don’t set up next to stinging insects or anything unsafe. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. You should also have insect repellent.
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Bring enough trash bags for the anticipated clean up. Make sure you pick up any food that you have as leftovers too. A golden rule for departing a campsite: leave only your footprints behind.
Two essential piece of camping gear are your first aid kit and your survival kit. These two items can keep you from ending a trip abruptly and handling many situations swiftly and easily. This can help keep issues from escalating, and let you secure help for an injured camper.
People that are new at camping sometimes mistakenly set up their camps near restrooms. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. While it is convenient, it will decrease your comfort levels.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. If you don’t preserve, pack and prepare your food right, you’re at risk. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
When camping, how will you cook your food? Make sure that you decide on the food items that you will bring beforehand. Cooking over a campfire is fun, but can’t be done with out the right tools.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. Many camping trips involve trees as toilets. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.
Bring as much food and water as you can when planning a camping trip with friends or family. If you’re camping anywhere that has bears, be sure to store any food far from where you’re sleeping. Dispose of any garbage by burning it so the smell does not attract bears to your camp.
If you used to go camping when you were little, you can go as an adult, but now it is your turn to make the plans. Use this article to capture that feeling of camping that you once had when you were younger.
If your campsite is near a body of water, make sure you “take your business” downstream. It will help keep the water flowing by your site free of your fluids. Also make sure you alleviate yourself at least 100 yards away from your site.
About The Author
