Camping is a fun and relaxing way to spend time with your family and friends. Everyone should try it when they are given the opportunity. You do, though, need to prepare yourself with the right knowledge to make your camping trip both fun and safe. Continue on and read through this article so you’ll know what’s in store for you when you camp.
Sleeping Bag
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. A sleep bag designed for winter camping would make you sweat during the summer. If you use a lightweight sleeping bag during the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Don’t fear that you are overpacking for your kids on a camping trip. Camping can be a messy affair. Kids love getting into dirt. As they go about enjoying the natural surroundings, you may find that dirt is added to dirt. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. Don’t be caught without something you need!
It is important to remember that getting dirty is inevitable. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. If you go to another state, you may have to have another policy. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. Always be prepared.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Portable foods, such as boxed cereal, juice, and fruit, can be tied to trees. Once the children are awake, tell them they need to forage for their meal. It adds some fun to camping.
Try out your tent before going camping by testing it out at home. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
Camping and swimming are a great combination. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
Camping Pillows
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Then when your kids get up, let them search for their food. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Bring along camping pillows to the campsite. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
Plan ahead and come prepared. Blankets are essential, in addition to a sleeping bag, to maximize comfort. That helps you if the night gets really cold, and you are able to use them as padding, as well.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Make sure you have charged flashlights for the trip. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before embarking on your trip. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Sleeping Bag
Bring the right sleeping bag for the weather you choose to sleep in. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. If you are staying in a tent, use a sleeping bag that fits to the contours of your body in order to maintain your body temperature.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. It is good for patching holes in tents, shoes, and inflatables. It is also good for securing tents and sealing up mosquito nets.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short. You can keep a potentially serious injury from getting worse until you can get help for the injured person.
Prepare for your camping trip thoroughly. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. Try not to take unnecessary risks that can yield injury or illness.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The key difference? Preparation. By preparing for any eventuality, your trip stands a good chance of being a huge success.
Pack your things carefully and smartly. Create a list of necessary supplies and check each one off as they are packed. This is especially important if you will be camping in a remote location without access to first-aid supplies or other items you might need in an emergency.
Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. An area that is sloped or rugged won’t make for the best place to put your tent. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.
Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. Consider taking along a few garbage bags so you have a place for all your trash. Be certain to take your leftover food with you too. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.
Are you wondering how you will cook while you are camping? Before leaving, you will want to know what cooking method will be used so the proper supplies can be packed. Without the right items, preparing food over the open flame can be difficult.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
Follow the right procedures for safety when you go camping. It is usually best to avoid the wild animals, big and small, that you may encounter. Smaller animals can be a lot more dangerous than expected, like squirrels for instance. Refrain from feeding these animals as they can do damage to you.
First aid kits should be in everyone’s camping arsenal. If an accident happens, you will have what you need. The first aid kit should include bandages, allergy and pain medicine and other essentials. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. There are times when it is important to be able to see clearly in the dark. If you have the proper lighting, you can prevent experiencing bad falls or wildlife encounters. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Don’t forget indoor entertainment. Be certain you have a plan in place if the weather is bad while you are camping. If it rains, you may find you are spending much of your time inside. That is not to say that your trip is a bust. Bringing along books, magazines or even coloring books for children can help everyone pass the time until the weather calms again.
As you can see, there is nothing to camping when you have the right information at your disposal. Be sure to use these tips before your next trip. The tips above, and many more, can only increase your safety, fun, and knowledge gained during a relaxing camping trip.
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. When the weather is warm, light sleeping bags work best; heavier sleeping bags are also available for colder weather. A good sleeping bag will cling to the human body and help it to retain as much body heat as possible.