It doesn’t get much better than lounging around a campfire under the stars surrounded by your friends and family. Camping is one of the best activities out there, and for a good reason. That said, in order to ensure that your camping trip is fun and enjoyable, you do need to take a few things into consideration when planing such a trip. This article has some helpful advice that will assist you in planning out your next trip.
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Camping can be messy. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Staying prepared is the best way to avoid issues on your trip.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You may even subject yourself to hypothermia.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This will allow you to sleep more comfortably and get up easier during the night when you need to use the bathroom.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. The coolness of the water will help you feel cleaner and more refreshed, so you won’t miss your shower as much as you thought you might!
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Have a conversation about where you want to go. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
Pack a bandana. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. 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.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be quite dirty. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Remember, always be prepared!
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.
Familiarize Yourself
Enroll in a first aid course, especially if your trip will include kids. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Make sure to do your research. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Try to schedule activities for your children such as board games or card games. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. Children may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. Get them used to it prior to leaving on the trip.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
Duct tape is an imperative item to bring with you on your camping trip into the wilderness. It is versatile at camp, just like at home. You can use this to repair any holes in an air mattress. Use it to cover any holes or rips that appear in tents or hold together items that break. If you plan to take a long hike, be sure to place some on feet to avoid developing blisters. You can even use it to bandage up injuries.
While the concept of camping involves getting away from it all, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. You’ll need a sleeping bag, as well as extra blankets. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. When camping, home showers can seem like a luxury. You will find yourself feeling clean and refreshed after a dip in cool water. This can lesson the desire for your home shower.
Pitching a tent can be complicated for anyone, but it is especially difficult for beginner campers. Before you go out and start on your trip, practice setting up your tent. This will help you to be prepared with the right equipment and skills to pitch your tent with ease. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
It is advisable to bring beef jerky or trail mix with you on a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Pack oranges on your camping trip for nutritious and convenient snacking as well as organic mosquito repellant. Save all the orange peels. Before mosquitoes attack, rub them on exposed skin.
Camping can be a great get away, or a living nightmare. The key difference? Preparation. If you are able to think ahead about what you might come across, and protect yourself against it, you will have a great time camping.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. Even if this isn’t your first time at the site, it’s easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. Learning how to actually use certain items will help you avoid getting lost.
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. Get online with them and show them what poison ivy, poisonous snakes, and other dangers look like. This will help your kids know what to avoid when exploring.
When going camping, always remember to take waterproof matches with you when you’re creating a survival kit. The container should be airtight. You can take ordinary matches and make them waterproof when you dip them into nail polish or paraffin. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
Make sure that your camping trip schedule is full of fun activities. Camping trips shouldn’t only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Use your creativity and plan activities that all family members can enjoy. Make sure that all age groups of your family are considered in your planning.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. Take extra things for entertainment if you have children.
As was mentioned in this article, there are many things to keep in mind when you go camping. Remember to use some of the suggestions offered in order to have a safe and enjoyable time camping with your family and friends.
