Gather Round The Campfire, Tips For Your Next Camping Trip

Whether you’re having a camp out with your kids in the backyard or you’re up in the mountains, the proper preparation can make the experience more pleasant for everyone. Read through the suggestions that follow in order to motivate you to better prepare for your camping trips. You will be thankful that you followed the advice from this great information.

Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You might develop hypothermia.

TIP! Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night.

While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t burn. Bring along some wood and store it where it remain dry.

You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand then you won’t be so stressed out when things start to get dirtier. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.

TIP! Expect that camping is not typically a time you can stay clean easily. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress.

It is important to remember that your person and all of your possessions will get dirty during a camping trip.Enjoy your time and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can return to being clean when you get home.

Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.

TIP! Build yourself a survival kit; keep it with you anywhere you go while camping. In addition to your first aid kit, you need waterproof matches, a flare gun, water-purifying tablets and a knife.

Bring a survival kit with you can carry on you. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, a flare gun and water purifying tablets.This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and death. Remember to carry it with you go when you’re away from your camp.

Do not worry that you have packed too much stuff for the kids. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Keep yourself ready at all times.

TIP! Don’t worry about over-packing for your kids. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes.

Camp Site

Attempt a “jungle breakfast” with the younger members of your camping party. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.

TIP! For an exciting twist on the morning meal while camping with your kids, get up early and prepare a “jungle breakfast”. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees.

Make sure that your camp site is complete before it gets dark. If you come to the camp site in an RV, park it safely. If you have a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Doing so before nightfall will save you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.

TIP! Pack a first aid kit. This emergency kit changes depending on the place you go camping, but you have to be certain it has the basic tools.

Talk to your children about the dangers and risks of camping before embarking on your journey. It is simple to show them which plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.

Make sure that your bags include oranges, since these double up as both a handy and healthy snack but also serve as an organic and natural repellant of mosquitoes. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.

TIP! Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. After you’ve enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels.

If the area in which you’ll be camping is well known for wildlife that poses a danger, make sure you are prepared with respect to food. This will reduce the chances of experiencing an attack.

Purchase some special camping pillows. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.

TIP! Purchase some special camping pillows. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather.

Duct Tape

Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. You don’t want to get food poisoning, so you want food that doesn’t spoil easily. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.

TIP! Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Depending on the length of time of your outing, you need to have plenty of non-perishable food.

One smart thing to bring along camping trip is a roll of duct tape. It is nearly as useful while you are camping as it is around the house. It can be used to fix a hole in the case of a punctured air mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, a sleeping bag, and even sleeping bags. You can also protect your feet before long hikes so that you don’t get blisters. You can use duct tape for extra protection.

If a pet accompanies you to the campground, do not just let him or her run free. There are people who do not like dogs, so you will want to keep them in control. You must consider them when you are camping, too. Also, your pet could be destructive to other people’s belongings.

TIP! Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. A lot of people have a fear of dogs.

The idea of camping is to live with just the essentials, but it’s important to be prepared for anything. While you should bring a sleeping bag, it is still a good idea to bring extra blankets. This makes sure that any warmth that is not handled by the sleeping bag can be augmented by using extra padding.

Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.

TIP! Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods.

When you find your site, pitch your tent on the softest, softest ground you can find. Choosing a slanted or rocky area to camp at can make your stay quite uncomfortable. Always put down some tarp in order to stop water from getting into your tent.

If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. Doing this means you cut down on your possibilities of an animal attack.

TIP! When you are camping around dangerous creatures, you have to be even safer regarding food. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether.

Make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the environment in which you are going to camp. If you are camping in a colder climate, use a heavy-weight bag and use a light-weight one in the summer.You might even consider a bag that surrounds the body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.

You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. You can also use it to patch up a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.

TIP! Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money.

One great suggestion for any camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives are among the most versatile pieces of equipment in a camper’s arsenal so bring along at least one.

When selecting an area for your tent, look for the area of the campsite with the flattest and softest ground. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.

TIP! When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. You will be uncomfortable if you pick a spot that is rocky an uneven.

You should be sure you have survival kit and first aid kits. These two kits are essential for your trip early. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious injury from getting worse until you can get help for the injured person.

If you’re planning on camping, you need to remember to pack energy food like beef jerky and trail mix. After a busy day of hiking or other strenuous outdoor activities, you may be too tired to deal with campsite cooking. These snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense, making them a quick and easy source of nourishment. These items keep for a long time so it won’t be like your wasting food if you don’t use them.

TIP! Pack ready to eat foods in your camping gear, like trail mix and jerky. After a long and tiresome day, you may want to eat these nutritious snacks instead of cooking.

Sleeping Bag

Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. When it’s dark, it’s hard to pitch your tent. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. It is simply much easier to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.

TIP! A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It is much more difficult to pitch your tent after dark.

Choose a sleeping bag for the season. For instance, summertime camping calls for a lightweight bag that helps you stay cool. However, during the winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won’t freeze during the night.

Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This can keep rainwater, insects and animals from invading your tent.

TIP! When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this.

How are you plan to cook your food when you camp? Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but can’t be done with out the right tools.

If you are interested in camping in the woods but have never done so before, there is a quick way to test if you will enjoy it or not. Pitch a tent in your garden or backyard and spend one or two nights in it. Don’t go back inside the house for any creature comforts. If this becomes a fun night for you, then you will love camping.

TIP! Are you wondering if camping is right for you? Pick up your tent, set it in your own back yard, and spend the night there. Stay out of the house.

Make food safety whenever you go camping. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight containers. Keep your food in insulated coolers. Cooked food should always be kept separate from raw in order to prevent cross-contamination. Make sure your hands stay clean whenever you are preparing food either by washing them with soap and/or using hand sanitizer. Cook foods to the right internal temperature and chill foods that need to be cold chilled quickly.

If your campsite is by a stream or river, answer the call of nature downstream. If any of your business is handled upstream, it will likely end up contaminating your meal and ruining a good night. Make sure to relieve yourself well away from your campsite.

TIP! If your campsite is by a stream or river, answer the call of nature downstream. This way, the water will not be contaminated by your refuse.

Plan things that are fun to do so your trip fun. There is more to camping than just roasting marshmallows. Get creative with your trip and plan for things that appeal to all members of your family. You may want to do different activities for different age groups to ensure that both the older campers and younger campers alike will enjoy.

If snakes are a problem, make your area snake-proof. Avoid places with piled up rocks, bushes that are thick, woodpiles or deep brush. Boots, clothing and bags should be checked to make sure that a snake has not found its way into them. Always keep the tent closed, and fill the corners with sand or soil to keep snakes from burrowing underneath.

TIP! Snake proof your campsite if snakes live where you are camping. Avoid thick bushes, deep brush, woodpiles and rock piles.

Keep your tent free from moisture and ventilated. If your tent is sealed up, condensation can occur. This can result in you waking up soaking wet. Tents usually have integrated vents or windows that may be opened slightly to keep moisture doesn’t build up too much.

Try to pitch your tent before night falls. If you wait until the sun sets, it might be hard to get things done before it gets dark. If you did not bring a tent, constructing a shelter in the daylight is much easier than when it is dark.

TIP! Set up your campsite before the sun sets. If its sundown, it might be too late for you to finish your shelter before dark.

A used shower curtain that is past its prime is a quick and inexpensive tarp to place on the ground before you set up your tent. You can also use it as a way to control run-off as you are washing or prepare your food. Don’t toss old shower curtains; save them for your next camping trip.

You must always maintain a high level of fire safety as you camp. Know how to establish a safe fire circle. Have water around in the event the fire is larger than you planned on. Work quickly to control your fire, and always extinguish it before leaving your campsite.

TIP! Fire safety is an important part of camping. You should know how to build a safe, secure fire ring.

As you have seen, camping is an activity enjoyed by many people. By applying what you have learned today, you can make plans for a trip even the pickiest family member can enjoy. Have a great time in the outdoors and make some memories that will last for a lifetime.

Make sure to discuss your trip with your doctor if you have a medical condition. There might be things that may exacerbate your condition. You should take every possible precaution to prevent disaster and assure yourself of a great camping vacation.

TIP! If you suffer from any medical conditions, even minor, arrange an appointment with your doctor to discuss your trip ahead of time. He or she can tell you about important things you may not have thought about for your trip that can affect your health in a harmful way.