Camping is one of the most popular activities that families or friends can share. Everyone should go camping at least once in their lifetime. Camping does, however, require a great deal of knowledge and preparation. Read the following article and learn some great tips to consider while camping.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. You could even experience hypothermia.
You will get dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. Things will go to back to normal soon enough.
Be sure to know the recent conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Survival Kit
Don’t worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can be dirty! Your kids may love playing around in the grass and dirt. Therefore, you will need to understand that a clean trip is probably out of the question. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Always prepare!
Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. Don’t forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. Your survival kit can be the difference between you making it out of the woods on a stretcher or your own two feet. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
Try to combine a camping experience with a swimming experience of some kind. While you are camping in the great outdoors, it can be very easy to miss taking your daily shower. The water helps you feel refreshed and a bit cleaner so that you don’t miss showering quite as much.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Some extra things,like antivenom should be included for specific types of wildlife as well.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. 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.
An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. This kit must include the basics for the event of an emergency. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it is humid outside. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
When you decide to camp in an unfamiliar location, you should read up on any dangers that you could encounter. Knowing what poisonous creatures to watch out for, where terrain gets rugged, and when to expect dangerous weather are key to ensuring your safety. Every camping area has its dangers.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. Find a safe place to park if you’re in an RV. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. 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. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
If your dog will be joining you on your camping trip, keep him leashed and under constant supervision. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. Respecting your fellow campers is essential when camping. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. Those big pillows can also mildew, because they absorbs moisture. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
Entertain Yourself
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
Kids generally love camping, but plan some activities for them ahead of time. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. They may not be familiar with things like fishing, putting up a tent or otherwise roughing it. Take the time to teach them these skills before the trip, especially if they don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will remain fresh when you need them.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. Be sure you have enough clean clothes to last the entire trip. Also, make sure you’re taking along clothes that work with whatever the weather will be where you are camping. Shoes that will hold up and have closed toes are what you should wear for the most part.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. It could be that you didn’t pack enough food or your clothing is not warm enough. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
When bringing the kids along for the ride, keep a picture on your person at all times. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. Always have one on you for emergencies.
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Even though they are water proof, you still want to have them sealed off from liquid. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. You can also make a caddy for them out of a 35mm film container or a medicine bottle made out of plastic.
If you bring a dog camping with you, be sure to keep an eye on them and be sure they’re on a leash. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Additionally, your dog may cause damage to the property of someone else if left untethered and unsupervised.
It is important to take toilet paper along when you go camping. Many camping trips involve trees as toilets. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Have you thought about how you are going to prepare food when you are camping? It is essential to plan for cooking before you leave, so that you can have the tools on hand to do so successfully. Cooking over a fire sounds romantic but may not be practical, especially if you don’t have the right equipment.
While the concept of camping involves getting away from it all, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, camping can be lots of fun, but it requires quite a bit of knowledge and preparation. Use these tips to prepare for your next outing. Using the advice here, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your next camping adventure.
