Enhance Your Camping Experience With These Tips
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. 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. Try to avoid setting up after the sun sets.
Not much beats spending a couple of nights under the stars with your loved ones. Camping isn’t just a favorite pastime for no reason. To ensure that you enjoy your experience, you should do a bit of planning and preparation beforehand. In this article, there are some great ideas on how you can better prepare the next time you go camping.
Select a sleeping bag which is right for the season. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. On the other hand, bringing a lightweight sleeping bap for a winter trip can make you really uncomfortable the entire trip. You may even subject yourself to hypothermia.
While you may think that nature will offer up enough wood to keep your fire embers burning, it could quite possibly be wet wood that doesn’t really want to burn. Bring some wood and store it in an area that is not moist when you camp.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. 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. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. Getting your camp set up before dark will give you time to get to know your campsite and surrounding area. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. They can serve many purposes, like potholder, blotter, hand towel or carrying bag. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Always remember to bring a roll of duct tape with you when you go camping as it can be used for all manner of things. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. 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 location has its own dangers.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. They probably aren’t used to camping activities such as pitching a tent or fishing. If this is their first time, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn new skills.
It is important to be prepared while camping. While a sleeping bag is obvious, it is still a good idea to bring extra blankets. They can be very handy when the evening temperatures drop. If not needed for warmth, they can be extra padding from the solid ground beneath.
Talk to your children about the dangers of camping before heading out on your trip. Ensure you children know what poison ivy and poison oak looks like, what to do if they get lost or stumble upon wildlife.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Pack in advance to avoid the stresses of packing before your trip.
If a pet accompanies you to the campground, do not just let him or her run free. Your neighboring campers may be afraid of dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Also, dogs can cause damage if you let them run free, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.
When camping with children, bring along a picture of each child. In case you get separated, having the pictures on your person will help you find them quickly. Your should always have current pictures of your children with you, but this is especially true when camping.
Come prepared for everything when you’re preparing to camp. There is always the potential that something unexpected may happen even with the most careful planning. Weather conditions may abruptly change for the worse, someone could get sick or injured, along with a number of other possible mishaps. Try not to take unnecessary risks that can yield injury or illness.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. When the day ends, you may feel so tired you aren’t in the mood for cooking. Nutrient-rich treats like beef jerky and trail mix will help satisfy your hunger. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your trip.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
Take time to learn map and compass reading. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
Always keep an eye on your children, no matter where they are. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. In no time, your children could be harmed, so always keep a watchful eye on them.
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Take any leftover food with you. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
Keep pictures of your children on you if they are comping with you. In case you get separated, having the pictures on your person will help you find them quickly. Always have one on you for emergencies.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods. You certainly don’t want to be wiping yourself with leaves.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the season. For instance, you’ll want a lightwweight bag to keep you cool in the summer. Conversely, during the winter you need to choose a heavy bag.
Learn how to use a compass or read a map, beforehand. You can get lost no matter where you are camping, keep that in mind. Using a map or compass can actually save your life if you’re lost. Learn to use them so that you don’t suffer a tragic fate.
Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. While this can seem convenient, it really isn’t. Bathrooms have constant light and lots of foot traffic. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
When preparing your survival kit for your camping trip, pack some waterproof matches. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. Easy-to-find 35mm film canisters and plastic medicine bottles make handy cases for matches.
When you are camping, clothing layers are ideal. Outdoors, the weather can change frequently and quickly. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. Nighttime can often be much colder than mornings and afternoons. Layers of clothes will reduce the impact of the cold on your body.
Do you know how to cook while you are camping? You should figure this out before you leave home so you can carry the correct supplies with you. No matter what method of cooking you decide upon, be sure that you will have everything you need to do it.
Here is a quick way to see if you would enjoy camping in the outdoors. Plan an overnight camping trip in your own backyard with the help of a borrowed tent and camping gear. Stay out of the house. If you enjoy this, you may like camping!
Ensure that your food is safe while camping. Food should be packed in bags that are airtight or in waterproof containers. Use a cooler that is insulated properly and filled with ice if need be. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Make sure your hands stay clean by washing them with soap and/or using hand sanitizer. Cook foods to proper temperatures and chill foods quickly.
Collect dryer lint for your next camping trip. Lint is quite an effective fire starter. Lint makes flames that burn hotter and brighter than wood. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.
When you go camping, dress in layers. You want to make sure that you are comfortable in any weather. A chilly morning can turn into a hot and humid afternoon. This type of cycle can continue with a cold night. You can adapt to the changing weather over the course of any day when you have multiple layers of clothing.
Pack enough food, water and drinks for your trip. If there are bears in your area, store your supplies far away from your sleeping zone. You don’t want this to happen because you want to enjoy yourself camping.
Plan your camping trip out. You can do much more when camping than just toast marshmallows. Use your creativity and plan activities that all family members can enjoy. Consider the interests of the kids when you plan your activities.
If you have set up camp near a river, do not use the bathroom upstream from your site. This ensures that water flowing through your camp remains uncontaminated by your additions. The location should be well away from both the water and your campsite.
As you can see, there are many things you can do ensure you have a great camping experience. Use the advice you have just read so that your next camping trip will be safe and enjoyable.