Whether you are camping in your backyard or packing up for a trip to the mountains, preparation will make the time spent under the stars more enjoyable for everyone. If you’re looking for some helpful camping advice, all you need to do is read on. You will be thankful for this information.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping can be very messy. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. Though this is inevitable, having extra clothes on hand is always smart. Prepare ahead of time!
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Talk about where you want to camp. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Be sure you’re always prepared before you go camping. Especially if you are camping in a new location, take the time to research the wildlife, plants, geography, and climate of the area.
Camping Trip
If you have bought a brand new tent in preparation for your camping trip, set it up at home first before you use it for camping. This helps you learn to put up your tent and make sure there aren’t missing pieces. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Check over your medical insurance before going on a camping trip. You may need an additional policy when you are traveling on your camping trip. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Take oranges with you as a way to snack in a healthy, convenient way–and as a mosquito repellent that is organic. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Be certain you have everything you will need before embarking on your adventure. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
Take some things to do on your camping trip. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Duct tape is a handy item to pack with you on any camping trip. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. Tape also does wonders for blisters by offering an additional layer of protection. In a pinch, you can also bandage an injury with it.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping on a slope or a spot with a rocky surface. Also, put a tarp down on your site to repel water in the best fashion.
Be prepared for your next camping adventure by taking precautions on conserving flashlight batteries. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will remain fresh when you need them.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. Some people fear dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Sleeping Bag
Take some time to find the right sleeping bag for the climate conditions at your campsite. If you are camping in a colder climate, purchase a heavyweight sleeping bag; people who camp in warm weather should use a lightweight sleeping bag. You need a sleeping bag that fits snugly and keeps your body heat in if you’re going to sleep outside in a tent.
Is this the first time you are camping? Before going on the trip, set up the tent at home. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This will also speed up your ability to pitch a tent and keep you safe if nighttime is approaching when you’re ready to camp.
Use an orange to help prevent bug bites. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Rubbing your exposed skin with the inside of the orange peel is something recommended by many camping experts. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
Pay attention to where you’re setting up camp. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. If you’re in an area that is rich in vegetation, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.
Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. Extra sealer tubes can be purchased at most sporting supply stores. That can keep rain and critters outside your tent.
At the end of your trip, be sure to leave your campsite as clean as you found it. Be sure to bring plenty of garbage bags to put your trash in when you cleanup. Remove any traces of food from the campsite. A good rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. Even better, bring extra batteries so you are prepared if there is an emergency. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Camping is something that anyone can appreciate and enjoy. Taking what you have gained here, it is time to plan a camping trip everyone can enjoy. Get out and about and take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer.
