As more people watch reality TV shows that focus on the joys of outdoor life, it’s easy to understand why more people are becoming interested in camping. If you are one of these people and you want some tips and strategies on how to have a fun and safe camping adventure, continue reading for some great advice.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. Setting the proper regulations in advance can help to combat this. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. After all, you can be normal at home.
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Think about where it is you want to go. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Let your family members all have a decision when it comes to choosing a campsite. Openly talk about the various options available to you. The options are plenty, so do your research! Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your campsite.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. In case of an accident, you will know what to do until medical help arrives. Be sure to do some research as well. Find out if the area has poisonous snakes, what type of wildlife lives in the woods, etc.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Sometimes, being covered while out of state requires an additional policy. This is more crucial if you go camping in another country. It is important to always be prepared.
Combine your camping trip with some swimming. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. You will find yourself feeling clean and refreshed after a dip in cool water. This can lesson the desire for your home shower.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. Let younger children wake up and hunt for their breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. Children often complain that they’re bored wherever they go, so bring along as many items as you can think of to keep them entertained.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. There are going to be moments when you must clearly see certain items when it gets dark. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. When camping with children, give each child a flashlight.
There are lots of things you need to take into consideration when you are planning on camping. A little advanced planning will make you much better prepared for any potential problems you might run into. You know what you can expect, so focus on enjoying yourself on your trip!
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. Have a bag next to the dryer so you don’t forget to collect it. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.