Camping can be fun for your whole family! Everyone can learn about nature and finding out a bit more about themselves. It can be very rewarding to experience and explore the outdoors. This article can help your next camping trip succeed.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
When camping, get your shelter squared away 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. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. Don’t let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Be certain that your camping trips always involve proper planning. If you are camping somewhere new, research the area to familiarize yourself with the climate, wildlife and other factors.
Double-check any medical insurance. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Always be prepared.
Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You might even contract hypothermia.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Simply use a plastic grocery sack to collect each new crop of lint. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
It is important to remember that getting dirty is inevitable. Being prepared for this will make sure you don’t stress too much when it occurs. Enjoy your time and don’t afraid to be messy. You can get back to normal after returning home.
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. You can patch holes in your tent, your mattress or your shoes, or secure your tent poles, seal mosquito netting and much, much more.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. You can all get together and check out pictures of various plants that are hazardous so they can learn what they can’t touch when they’re looking around.
Make sure your survival kit is available on a constant basis. You need to pack a flare gun, utility knife, matches and a first aid kit. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. Remember to carry it with you and do not leave it in your camp.
Be prepared for anything when you go camping. It’s important to plan for anything, but the unexpected could still happen. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.
Look for the softest and flattest ground you can possibly find for your tent. An area that is sloped or rugged won’t make for the best place to put your tent. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.
It is always a smart idea to look into what the weather is going to be like, before going camping. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. Armed with the proper facts, you will know that to expect and what to pack.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
Make sure you pack plenty of camping-friendly food. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
Know how to use a compass and map before you head into the woods. You can get lost in the woods even if you have been to the area before. 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.
Clean out your campsite before you leave to go back home. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Dispose of any left over food as well as your trash. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. There are those who have a fear of dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Additionally, your dog may cause damage to the property of someone else if left untethered and unsupervised.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
Plan what you will do from the time you arrive until you leave to make your trip fun. Camping trips shouldn’t only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Come up with creative ideas and plan something fun for each person to do in your camping party. You may want to do different activities for different age groups to ensure that everyone has fun.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Your tent should be kept dry and well ventilated. With no ventilation, condensation can form in the tent. This may cause you to awake wet. Tents are usually equipped with ventilation slots and zippered windows and doors that can easily be opened to avoid a build up of excess moisture and that provide a nice cross-breeze.
If you are camping for several days or weeks, bring along some form of entertainment. A book or some music are perfect entertainment while you are out camping, leave the technology at home.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. This helps lower your attack risk.
Bring along plenty of sunscreen. Sun protection is important! Purchase a sunscreen that will provide you with optimal sun protection. Ideally, a sunscreen that doubles as insect repellent would probably be the best choice. The fewer chemicals you need to worry about applying, the better.
Take the advice in this article to be sure you have all of your bases covered when camping. It is always a good thing to keep yourself as informed as possible with a subject like camping. The guidelines describe here can help you become a smart camper.
When you find your camping spot, put the tent up on top of the patch of ground that is flattest and softest. If you choose an uneven area, being in your tent will be uncomfortable and unenjoyable. Make sure you put down a tarp before you set up your tent. This will keep water from entering your tent at night.
