The popularity of reality-based programs that are featured outside in the elements has made camping a popular pastime. If you are one of the many who enjoys good outdoor fun, read on in the article below for a memorable experience!
Sleeping Bag
When you’re camping, always look for shelter prior to dark. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. In the worst case, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting frostbite or even worse.
When camping, there is a good chance that your items will get dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. A hot shower can be sorely missed. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
Make sure that you understand the dangers and risks of the camping site that you choose. This includes things like which spiders are deadly, whether or not there are sheer drops, and if flash floods are common. All camping spots have some dangers associated with them and you want to make sure you pick a spot that isn’t too bad.
If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. This way, if someone were to have an accident, you’ll possess enough knowledge to deal with it enough until medical help arrives. Be sure to do thorough research too. Be sure you are aware whether there are any snakes or spiders that are poisonous and what kind of critters are out there in the area.
Children love camping, but be sure that you provide them with activities. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods. Kids are often not used to outdoor activities such as pitching a tent or fishing. Spend a day teaching them what they need to know before you leave for your trip.
Are you just starting with camping and want to know what to do to make it enjoyable? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. When you do this, you’ll know exactly what it takes to get your tent set up in a timely manner. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
When out in the wilds camping, it is smart to be prepared for just about anything. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. The weather may change all of a sudden, illness and injuries can occur, your circumstance can change, etc. Do what you can to prevent any accidents or illnesses and bring what you need to treat it if it does happen.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. You can use them to pick up hot pans, or to clean up a tiny spill; therefore, you should always have one with you.
Make a list and check it twice before packing for your camping excursion. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. A couple of days before your trip, make a list of everything you need, checking things off as you pack them
Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. This will ensure everyone remains safe. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. You may want to get each child a flashlight of his or her own if you’re taking kids on your camping trip.
A roll of duct tape is a very important piece of camping equipment. You can use to help seal leaks and rips and hold together important things that break. It can hold your shoes together if they fall apart, and you can even use it in case of emergencies for a temporary bandage or sling.
Always be aware of where your camp is located. You want to avoid erecting your tent near a wasp’s nest or other insect habitats. To keep the bugs off of your skin, wear garments that cover your skin especially if plant life is abundant. Having insect repellent is a really sound idea.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. When food is not properly preserved, it can increase the risk of becoming spoiled and make you sick. Make use of an abundance of ice so that your foods stay fresh and make sure to remove the cooler’s drain plug to prevent soaking of your items.
It’s important that you make an effort to ensure that all camping gear you will need is packed before you leave to go camping. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
How are you going to cook when you go camping? Make sure that you decide on the food items that you will bring beforehand. You can easily boil foods like hot dogs over a boiling pot of water and an open flame, but you need the right equipment.
Take the measures necessary to have a safe camping trip. Stay away from all large animals and most small ones as well. Even small animals, such as squirrels, can pose a dangerous hazard. Obviously, if you see bears, do not feed them.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. If you have any equipment issues, it is better and easier to cut your trip short when you do not have so far to travel. Maybe you will find out that there isn’t enough food or clean clothes to continue. There are many unexpected problems you may encounter the first time you go camping, so stay close to home.
Take along your lint! That sounds silly, but lint can actually help you build a great campfire. Lint makes flames that burn hotter and brighter than wood. Lint and a little spark will bring you a nice warm camp fire.
Whenever you are camping near a river or stream, always make sure to “take care of business” downstream. By doing this, the water that flows past the campsite will be clean. Answer the call of nature more than 100 yards from the campsite.
If the area in which you’ll be camping is well known for wildlife that poses a danger, special precautions must be taken regarding your food. You must wrap everything up tight, store it away from your tent and do not take certain types of food with you. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
As you are now aware, any number of unexpected events can occur when you are camping. However, the points shared in this article will help you be ready to handle most camping-related basics. Since you know more, you can sit back and focus on relaxing while you are camping.
