No matter where you camp, you will have a better time when you are prepared. Read through the advice below to gain some inspiration about how to prepare for your next camping trip. The information presented is sure to help you throughout your camping trips.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. 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 clean up when you get back home.
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Survival Kit
Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. Don’t forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You may even risk hypothermia.
Learn proper first aid. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
Double check your medical insurance. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. This preparation tactic can help you save a lot of money in the event of an accident.
Camping is a great time but it can be dangerous if you’re not able to properly prepare. Make sure you always go camping only after preparing yourself fully. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. You will find yourself feeling clean and refreshed after a dip in cool water. This can lesson the desire for your home shower.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. By doing this, you’ll have all the kindling you need.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. Other campers might be fearful of your dog, no matter how friendly he might be. You must show respect for others when you camp. Additionally, your dog may cause damage to the property of someone else if left untethered and unsupervised.
One handy piece of equipment to take with you when you head out on your next camping trip is a roll of duct tape. Just as it has myriad uses around the house, you can use it for a variety of needs in the woods, too. You could seal an air leak in your mattress. You can also use it to patch up a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. You can even put some under your feet before long hikes so that you don’t get blisters. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. Kids can easily get bored if you are in the woods for a long time. While fishing, pitching a tent and starting a fire might sound fun, they are not the activities kids are used to. Take the time to demonstrate the activities prior to leaving, especially if they’ve never really lived outdoors.
Plan ahead and come prepared. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
If camping is something that you are new to, have your first trip close to where you live. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don’t like camping. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven. Put a tarp down before pitching your tent to prevent water from entering.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. You should also make sure that you pack suitable clothes for the weather forecast and activities planned. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. There are campers who do not like dogs. You must always respect the needs of others when camping. Additionally, your dog may cause damage to the property of someone else if left untethered and unsupervised.
It’s a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. It’s very hard to set up your tent when it’s dark outside. You will need to build a fire or have a sufficient number of flashlights. It will obviously be much easier to pitch your tent if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.
Take along some things to entertain yourself and your family. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If you are taking children camping, you might want to bring more activities than you think you are going to need.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Do not leave food there, either. The main rule when you’re leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
It is important to take toilet paper along when you go camping. If you camp in a place with no toilets, you’ll need to go in the woods. You do not want to use leaves to wipe yourself, as they may contain poison ivy, so take your toilet paper with you.
Rolls of duct tape can be useful to take along on any camping trips you have planned in the future. Duct tape is very useful camping, the same as it is at home. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. It can repair a rip in a sleeping bag, tarp or tent. Tape also does wonders for blisters by offering an additional layer of protection. In a pinch, it can even serve as a bandage for injuries.
Be aware of food safety precautions on your trip. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Also carry ice packs so you can insulate and cool your food. Cooked and raw food need to be stored seperately to avoid contamination. Use a cleaner or sanitizer to keep hands and surfaces clean, just as you would at home. Also, be sure that all food is fully cooked and that any leftovers are chilled as soon as possible.
As you have read, you can make camping something that everyone can really enjoy. Apply the advice from this article to help accommodate even the most picky travelers. Mother Nature has a lot to offer, so get out there and enjoy it!
Make sure to prepare in advance before you engage in a camping trip. While a sleeping bag is obvious, it is still a good idea to bring extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
