People dream of a relaxing, stress-free camping trip. On the other hand, if you are unprepared, your camping trip will detour from your intentions. In the following article, you will be provided with tips to ensure your next camping trip goes smoothly.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. A bag that is intended for winter conditions will surely cause you to overheat when you are trying to sleep in summer weather. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there might be nothing but wet wood that refuses to burn. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Let your loved ones help you pick a campsite. Talk about the state you wish to see. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Be prepared to get dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Then, you can be as messy as you want, without worry of getting dirty. You can get back to normal after returning home.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. 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.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. Use the peels to rub your body down. It is a low-cost, chemical-free way to keep bugs away.
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife. This kit can keep you alive! Keep your kit with you at all times; don’t leave it at the campsite.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.
Always bring ample food, and make sure you bring the right types. Depending on the amount of time you will be out, it is important to have food that will not spoil while you are out. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Properly prepare food and take any necessary precautions.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before embarking on your trip. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Start packing a few days ahead of your trip, and tick items off as you pack them.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. A flashlight can prevent a fall and scare away unwanted wildlife. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
Camping can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Be certain that your camping trips always involve proper planning. Research the place that you are traveling to, which will help you to understand the climate and geography.
When planning for a camping trip, make sure you bring beef jerky and trail mix. These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.
Make sure to carry a utility knife with you when you are camping. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. This is a wonderful way to add fun to their camping enjoyment.
Charge your cellular phone to maximum capacity before you leave on your trip. The best idea is to bring a couple of extra batteries to maintain your phone. A cell is the most important tool you have in an emergency, so be sure it works.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Even if you know the area well, getting lost is always a possibility. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. These can be used in a pinch if you need a potholder, towel or even something to carry an item in. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
So many people suffer from food poisoning because food is not stored and prepared correctly. Food poisoning can happen when food is spoiled, which is something you risk when you take food not properly preserved, vacuum sealed or canned. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler’s drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
When you are going camping for a longer time, be certain to bring activities for entertaining yourself. Multiple electronics may kill the spirit of the trip; however, books, music and games can bring some much needed excitement to the group, or offer a diversion when you are alone.
If you are going camping, whether with others or alone, a survival kit is essential. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Take into consideration all the possibilities that nature has to offer, and take precautions for them.
Create a snake-proof campsite if there are snakes in the area. Avoid any rock piles, deep brush, thick bushes and woodpiles. Check everything you have to makes sure a snake didn’t slither into things like your clothes, bags, or boots. Seal off everything before you leave for any walks, that way you don’t get a surprise when you come back.
You must set up shelter before night falls. Don’t first start at sundown; you might not be able to get the shelter all the way up before it becomes completely dark out. If you aren’t using a tent, getting a place to sleep is better when there is light.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. Go on the Internet together and read about safety, look at poison ivy pictures and poisonous animals.
As you know, camping is supposed to be enjoyable. If you do not take the time to plan ahead, it can be disastrous. You should use some of the tips featured above in order to make sure that your next camping adventure is a success. And don’t forget to have fun!
