Camping has become a popular pastime, thanks in part to all the reality shows depicting outdoor activities. If you want to spend some time outside for fun and relaxation, keep reading for how to do it right.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Set up camp before dark to keep yourself from getting into this situation.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Survival Kit
Always pack and carry a survival kit. A survival kit should consist of matches, first aid necessities a flare gun and a knife. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Carry it at all times.
Make sure that you find out what sort of weather is forecast for the place that you are going to be camping at. There are lots of excellent websites that you can use for a weather forecast and they can give you an idea of what to expect. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
It can be fun to camp, but you have to be prepared. Be sure you don’t go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. Research the place that you are traveling to, which will help you to understand the climate and geography.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. In emergencies, such cloth can turn into a towel, a potholder or a piece of luggage. Its uses are innumerable, so it is smart to always have one available.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. When you find a camping area, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. Many people fear dogs. Respect for other campers is an important aspect of public camping. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don’t keep a good eye on them.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. These precautions include tightly wrapping your foods and storing them away from your tent. You also have to just forgo certain foods entirely. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. Something small and lightweight is appropriate, like candy or some cream for coffee. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Find a soft and flat spot to pitch your tent when you are camping in the wilderness. Spots that are rocky, steep or wet mean an uncomfortable sleeping experience for you. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. It will keep the power from draining from the batteries and have them easily installed when you need it.
Make sure that your bags include oranges, since these double up as both a handy and healthy snack but also serve as an organic and natural repellant of mosquitoes. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.
An orange peel can help to avoid insect bites. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This can last a few hours and make your trip a more comfortable one.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. In the case that a child goes missing, having their photo at hand could be of great use. Your should always have current pictures of your children with you, but this is especially true when camping.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. You would be pretty irritated if it turned out that you left your sleeping bag or tent back at home. Double check the items you want to take and make a check list before you leave to make sure that you bring everything with you.
There is a lot to think about before you go camping. However, you are now likely well prepared to deal with the simple situations that pop up. Thanks to this information, you can sit back and relax a bit more while at your camping excursion!
