Many people like to camp to get away from the stress of their everyday lives. But, without the proper planning, your trip might not be so enjoyable. In this article, you’ll be given tips that can help your next camping excursion to go smoothly.
Sleeping Bag
Look for where you’re going to set up your shelter before darkness falls. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. You may even develop hypothermia.
A survival kit should be packed and carried on you everywhere you go. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Never leave the kit behind, even for a short excursion.
You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there might be nothing but wet wood that refuses to burn. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. With the training you receive, you will be better prepared to handle an accident or other emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance. You could also read about different first aid techniques online. Find out if the area has poisonous snakes, what type of wildlife lives in the woods, etc.
Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. Depending on the location, the kit may have extra items, but the basic items should be there. Having extras like anti-venom is a good defense for certain kinds of wildlife.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! Things will be normal again once you are home.
Take a luxury item with you when camping. This can be something simple like fresh coffee or a favorite candy. These little things can make your day!
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. You can use to help seal leaks and rips and hold together important things that break. It can hold your shoes together if they fall apart, and you can even use it in case of emergencies for a temporary bandage or sling.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. A bigger tent means easier movement, which can be useful when you have to urinate at night.
If you bring a dog camping with you, be sure to keep an eye on them and be sure they’re on a leash. Many people fear dogs. Respecting others at the campsite is vital. In addition, dogs are capable of causing a great deal of damage to a campsite if not well supervised.
When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. 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. Making sure to do this, will lessen any chance of a wild animal attack.
Attend a class in first aid; this is a really good idea if you are camping with children. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Knowing about the native species in your camp area, such as snakes or other dangerous animals, is essential.
Duct Tape
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. Duct tape can be used to repair anything. It can seal a rip in your tent, sleeping bag, or tarp. Prior to heading off on a long nature hike, place some tape on your heels to avoid blistering. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. Leaving your state may affect your policy. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
As you read at the start of this article, a camping trip can be a great time to be had by you and your party. However, if you do not prepare yourself, the trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. Make proper use of the suggestions you have seen here and give your camping adventure the right start for success. Most importantly, however, remember to have fun!