The old and the young alike can find camping to be superbly entertaining. The best way to ensure a wonderful trip is to gain a thorough understanding of the best tricks and tips experienced campers have to offer. Take time to read through this article and you will be experiencing a great camping trip in no time.
If you’re camping with kids, try a “jungle breakfast”. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This makes the trip even more magical for kids.
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. These things can help to keep you happy and make your trip more enjoyable.
Camping Pillows
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. This way, should an accident occur, at least you are properly prepared until help arrives. Be sure to do some research as well. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows are specially coated to prevent moisture absorption.
Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. There are campers who do not like dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
Check weather reports in the area you plan to camp in. You can visit http://www.weather.com to check the weather just about anywhere. Be sure to look at the 10 day forecast along with extended weather patterns. When you have some idea of how the weather will behavior while you are camping, you can pack appropriate clothing and equipment.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. You can safeguard the power by slipping the batteries in backwards in the flashlight cylinder. This way, you’ll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. Areas with insect nests and breeding grounds should always be avoided when setting up. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
Even the most natural experience can allow for one nice luxury from home. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. Comforts from home can really spice up the rustic outdoors!
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. When the sun sets and you get too exhausted to cook that night’s meal, you can cheat once or twice and eat some of those tasty, filling snacks you’ve now decided to pack. Trail mix and beef jerky are non-perishable foods, so they will keep for very long periods of time; you can even bring them home with you if you do not eat them at the campsite.
Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for mosquito repellant. Enjoy the oranges and then rub the inside of the peel on any exposed skin to keep insects at bay.
A great camping tip that everyone should use is to bring along an extra utility knife. 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.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. These two items can keep you from ending a trip abruptly and handling many situations swiftly and easily. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. 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. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. Being ready to tackle any situation that may arise will allow you to have an enjoyable trip.
An easy, yet often forgotten tip is to find shelter before it gets dark. It’s hard enough to throw up a tent, but it’s even harder with the lights out. You will have to have a flashlight or create a fire. The process is far easier during daylight hours, and you will be relieved to be finished before darkness hits.
Duct tape is a handy tool that will prove useful on any camping trip. Just as it has myriad uses around the house, you can use it for a variety of needs in the woods, too. Duct tape can be used to repair anything. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. If you are going on a long hike, you can put it on the sensitive parts of your feet for blister prevention. It can also be used in lieu of bandages.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. Many camping trips involve trees as toilets. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
Sleeping Bag
It is imperative that you are properly packed for your camping trip. Your whole trip could be ruined if you forget a couple of things. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. You should bring along a knife, food, water, shelter and a sleeping bag.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. Summer requires only a lightweight sleeping bag. Meanwhile, if you are camping during the winter months, you will probably desire a more heavyweight sleep bag that will protect the body’s extremities from frostbite.
Maintain food safety on your camping trip. Store all food in airtight and waterproof containers. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Don’t keep raw and cooked food together, so there is no contamination. Wash your hands while preparing food and afterward, and keep any surfaces, utensils and cooking containers clean as well. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. You’ll need these items to help you be able to see after dark, which may be necessary at times. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If you have kids with you, be sure they each have their own flashlight.
Wearing your clothing in layers is always best when camping outdoors. Outdoor weather can change without much warning. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. The evenings can then turn cold again. By dressing in layers of clothing, you can easily shed layers when the temperature rises and then add layers when the temperature drops.
Camping is a pastime that is popular with a wide range of people, from the very young to the very old. For the best and most stress-free camping trip, it is essential to have a little know-how. Hopefully, this article has given you that knowledge.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, plan for what you will wear. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. It is also a good idea to bring a few pairs of shoes so that you have extras in case of mud or water getting into them.