Camping is perfect for the whole family. Everyone who goes camping can learn about nature and reconnect with themselves. Exploring nature can be very rewarding. The following article can help make your next camping trip successful.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Talk about where you want to camp. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
Don’t wait until nightfall to set up camp. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. It is good for patching holes in tents, shoes, and inflatables. It is also good for securing tents and sealing up mosquito nets.
Bring things like a bandanna and handkerchief along with you. 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.
Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. Forgetting something important, such as a sleeping bag, is a terrible feeling. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. It’s easy to look at photos online of harmful plants like poison ivy so that they are aware that they should not touch them when they’re camping.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. The typical pillows will become sticky in hot and humid climates. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
While the concept of camping involves getting away from it all, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. Bring extra blankets along with your sleeping bag. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. You can prevent your batteries from losing power by storing them backwards in your flashlight. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. This includes things like which spiders are deadly, whether or not there are sheer drops, and if flash floods are common. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Have a list ready before your trip that you can check off, and pack at least two days before heading out.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. When you reach the end of a long day, it may not sound appealing to cook, so it helps to have these things to eat when you’re too tired. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving your car or campsite. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. A flashlight can prevent a fall and scare away unwanted wildlife. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. You can also prevent serious situations from becoming dire, and allow you to get an injured person to help safely.
When going camping, bring some duct tape with you. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. A few strips of this durable tape can keep you dry and cozy at night if your tent is damaged during the day.
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
When going camping, always remember to take waterproof matches with you when you’re creating a survival kit. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. You may have to use nature’s toilet. It is best not to use something from nature to clean yourself, so toilet paper will come in handy.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Make sure that you take into consideration all safety precautions while camping. Make sure to avoid all bears and larger wildlife in the wilderness. Even small animals can present a danger. Everyone should know, but some are unaware, that you should never feed any bears or other wildlife when camping.
If you are camping for several days or weeks, bring along some form of entertainment. Electronics can spoil the mood of camping, but bring a book, a radio, a baseball glove, and maybe even your bike to keep you active and entertained for the duration of the trip.
Utility knives are great to have when camping. It is even better if you have more than one. Utility knives are a fantastic to bring along when camping because they have so many uses. Be sure you have one with you and another for backup in your gear in case one gets lost.
Knowing the basics of what to expect while camping is important. You may already be quite well versed in this area, but a little more knowledge always helps. The advice shared here can make your next camping trip a great one.
