There is no denying the allure outdoor experiences has for so many individuals. If you’re going to go out camping then you need to have a few things in mind so that things go smoothly. Make sure you are familiar with all of these camping tips.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is even more true if you’re accustomed to city life, and your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness of the woods. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. A sleep bag designed for winter camping would make you sweat during the summer. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you may end up freezing and having a miserable time. You may even get hypothermia.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. There are various options throughout the United States that it may make it hard to pick only one. Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. Camping can make you miss your shower. 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 who is going on the trip to have a say about the campsite. Engage in conversation about what state and location they would like to visit. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Bring duct tape with you since it can help you in many situations. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.
Camping Pillows
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. You should also research the area you plan on camping in. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Buy some camping pillows. Don’t bring the pillows you use in your bedroom. These pillows can trap heat during humid weather. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Camping pillows, on the other hand, possess a protective coating that prevents that from happening.
Plan ahead and come prepared. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
Review your health insurance policy. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. If you plan to travel to a different country, such as Canada, then its is especially important. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Find a soft and flat spot to pitch your tent when you are camping in the wilderness. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. Put a tarp down before pitching your tent to prevent water from entering.
If you put some thought in ahead of time, you will not have to worry about drained batteries in your flashlight while you are at a camp out. You may accidentally turn on a flashlight while you’re looking through what you have packed for your trip. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure your sleeping bag is fit for the environment in which you are going to camp. In warmer weather, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, whereas in cooler weather, you will probably want a heavyweight sleeping bag. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
Purchase some special camping pillows. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Make sure you always know where your children are. There are cars that pull in and out of campsites, and of course, young children can quickly and easily get lost in the woods. It doesn’t take more than a minute for something unexpected to happen.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. At the end of the day, you might feel too tired to cook so having these nutrient-filled snacks on hand can be very useful. These items can be stored for quite a while, which means you don’t have to worry about the expiration date.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It is simple to show them which plants they should stay away from prior to your trip.
Utility Knives
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Are you a novice at camping, having just bought your tent? Before you head off on that initial camping trip, practice pitching your tent. This will give you the confidence to pitch your tent at any time. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. By being prepared for various situations, you’ll most likely have fun on your trip.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Stand ready for all possibilities when you camp. Often times, even the best plans go awry. Someone could get hurt, the weather could change drastically or people could get sick. Do not be careless, because this can get in the way of you having fun.
If you enjoy the great outdoors and becoming one with nature, then you likely enjoy camping, in general. If you want to have a successful camping trip, a little bit of research and planning are necessary. Keep the guidance from the above article close at hand, and you will be ready to pitch your tent in no time.