Many people have preconceived notions about camping such as how boring it is and the potential insect bites. It does not have to be this way. If done right, you can do what you want and eat what you want, all while avoiding the bugs. If you want to learn easy ways to enjoy camping, you should read the tips below.
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. That is particularly true if you aren’t used to the blackness of the wilderness. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Chances are, your family and your belongings are going to end up getting 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 go back to normal when you go home.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. You might even get hypothermia.
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. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. 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! If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
The idea of camping is to live with just the essentials, but you should make sure to be well prepared. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. A first aid kit, matches in a water tight container, a good knife, flares and tablet to purify water are some essentials to include. This survival kit may be what keeps you alive if you get lost and the items in it are indispensable in a survival situation. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
Orange Peel
An orange peel may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re out camping. If you’ve packed everything, except for mosquito repellant, do not fret. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. You should be mosquito free for hours.
Pack additional clothes when going camping. Camping can be messy. Children seem to be dirt magnets. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. Take extra clothing with you for your children. Be ready for anything.
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. Utility knives are the most diverse tools you can carry, so be sure to carry an additional one just in case it gets lost.
Duct Tape
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. This will make it easy for you all to have a comfortable time sleeping, and moving around in the middle of the night when nature calls for people.
Make sure that you never go camping without duct tape. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. Duct tape can help you to sleep in peace at night, and is very inexpensive.
When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. If sealant was not included in your tent, visit your local sporting goods store to purchase some. Sealant keeps both insects and rain out of your tent.
First aid classes are important to take when you are planning a camping trip with friends or family. In case of an accident, you will know what to do until medical help arrives. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. If there are no toilets at your destination, you will need to use nature as a bathroom. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.
As you now realize, camping can be one of most exciting experiences for you and your family. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. They will help you avoid the negatives and enjoy all of the positives that camping has to offer.
Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
