The popularity of reality-based programs that are featured outside in the elements has made camping a popular pastime. Check out the solid advice and helpful tips below if you are one of those who are ready for a trip into the great outdoors.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. Bringing a winter bag camping in summer can cause you to roast all night. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
When camping, bring the sleeping bag that appeals to the season that you are in. If you’re camping in the heat of summer, a sub-zero bag just isn’t comfortable or appropriate. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
Pack what is necessary for your children. Camping can be dirty. Children love the dirt. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. It is important to be prepared.
A camping trip provides fun experiences or dangerous experiences. Which you will experience depends on your level of preparation. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.
Be prepared to get dirty. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. After all, you can be normal at home.
If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Tie up small boxes of juice, cereal and food to a tree. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
Combine your camping trip with some swimming. When camping, home showers can seem like a luxury. Spending some time in cool water can help you stay clean and refresh your spirits, so a little swimming can soothe the part of your heart longing for a bath.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Think about where it is you want to go. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! If it is the simpler option, try picking a few you favor and letting your whole family vote on them.
Take a bandana or handkerchief with you. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. They are quite versatile, so be sure to bring one every time you go on a trip.
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. By doing this, you’ll have all the kindling you need.
Make sure to see what the weather forecast is for the town you are camping in. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
Do not forget to pack duct tape for your camping trip so that it can solve neraly any problem! It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. All of your foods should be tightly wrapped and not place near your tent. Some foods shouldn’t be brought at all. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. If you lose a child at any point, having a picture to show rescuers or search parties could be very useful. Your should always have current pictures of your children with you, but this is especially true when camping.
A cute way to add fun to meals is to make what is known as a “jungle meal”. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. It adds some fun to camping.
Always take along a survival and first aid kit when you’re going camping. These kits can help to reduce the impact of injuries on your trip. Carrying these items can help a situation stay safe, rather than turning very harmful or even fatal.
When going camping, always remember to take waterproof matches with you when you’re creating a survival kit. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. You can store them in a prescription bottle or film canister.
Pack a bandanna or handkerchief. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. You can use them to pick up hot pans, or to clean up a tiny spill; therefore, you should always have one with you.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. 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.
Sleeping Bag
Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. It will also allow prevent the frustration of not being able to see while setting up your equipment.
Your sleeping bag selection should be made with the expected climate in mind. During the summer, you will want to choose a light sleeping bag. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
You can use a shower curtain in place of a tarp under your tent. You could also use the curtain as a cooking base or any place you need to control run-off. Instead of throwing away your old shower curtain, wash it and use it when you go camping.
Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Make a list of the items you need, and double check it before you leave home.
One thing you must take with you when camping is your first aid kit. Kits need to include everything necessary in the event of injuries. A first aid kit should include bandages, wound dressing, splints, aspirin and a snake bite kit. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.
Sunscreen should always be a part of your packing list when you are camping. You want to keep your skin protected during your trip. Choose a sunscreen that has a high SPF. You might want to choose sunscreen that includes insect repellent. It will make it easier for you to apply all of the protection you need to stay comfortable while camping.
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. It’s easy to look at photos online of harmful plants like poison ivy so that they are aware that they should not touch them when they’re camping.
As indicated by this article, a camping trip requires some forethought and preparation. However, the information you’ve been given can help you deal with some of the most common problems or complications that you may encounter. Being forewarned you can now enjoy your trip away and have a lot of fun on your next camping vacation!
