Many people around the globe have fallen in love with the relaxing pastime of camping with family and friends. However, if you travel unprepared, your adventure might turn into one that is anything but fun and exciting. Fortunately, in the article below you will find the information you need to have a great camping experience.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure your tent is of ample size. You should have no problem sleeping and getting through the nights when camping.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. If you use a lightweight sleeping bag during the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. You may even get hypothermia.
Try out your tent before going camping by testing it out at home. This will allow you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent. That can also cut down on the frustration some feel when setting a tent up for the first time.
Check out what the weather is going to be like before you leave for your destination. There are lots of websites that can give you an idea of what the typical weather is like in the area during the time of your travel. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. When you travel to camp, you may need to have this updated or add an additional policy. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Kids might enjoy a camping activity called the “jungle breakfast.” Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. The kids will love it.
Review the medical coverage that you have. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
No matter how rough and tough your camping plans, bring along a small bit of luxury to add an elegant touch to your camping trip. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. A few small indulgences can make you incredibly happy.
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. Teach them these things ahead of time to ensure a great trip.
If you’re camping with kids, try a “jungle breakfast”. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees. Then when your kids get up, let them search for their food. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
Duct Tape
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. Duct tape is useful for patching holes in air mattresses. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. When walking for a long time, it can also help avoid blisters. It can even be used to bandage injuries.
Try using dryer lint to help you start your campfire. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Simply use a plastic grocery sack to collect each new crop of lint. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be camping. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.
Find a great location to set up your camper. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. Make sure that everyone wears long sleeved clothing if you camp near abundant vegetation, to minimize poison and insect issues. Having insect repellent is a really sound idea.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. The last thing you need is to forget something essential like your tent or sleeping bag. Be sure you double check everything you’re taking and create a checklist prior to taking off so you’re sure everything is there.
Pack your things carefully and smartly. Make a list of what you need, and check off items as you pack. This is key if you plan to visit a far away spot that is not likely to offer fist aid or other critical supplies.
Take time to learn map and compass reading. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. This skill can potentially save your life.
Learn about any dangers that may exist at your campsite before heading out on the highway. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Every camping trip has different dangers.
Clean your campsite when you finish camping. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.
When you go camping for the first few times, be sure that your camp is close to where you live. If you have any equipment issues, it is better and easier to cut your trip short when you do not have so far to travel. You may run out of supplies early. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
While it may sound obvious, don’t forget to pack the toilet paper when you head out for a camping trip. If you camp in a place with no toilets, you’ll need to go in the woods. You do not want to use leaves to wipe yourself, as they may contain poison ivy, so take your toilet paper with you.
As previously mentioned in this article’s introduction, in general, camping is fun. But, without the proper preparations, your whole trip could turn into a disaster. Apply the ideas found above to guarantee a fabulous excursion in the great outdoors. Most importantly, however, remember to have fun!
If a pet accompanies you to the campground, do not just let him or her run free. There are people who do not like dogs, so you will want to keep them in control. Respecting your fellow campers is essential when camping. Furthermore, dogs could cause a lot of damage to your campsite, or someone else’s, if they are not properly supervised.
