Camping – oh boy! It is a terrific outdoor experience that can be perfect for couples, entire families, or those who wish to find a little alone time. Camping is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the outdoors, however, there is much to know about it. Make the most of your tip by planning ahead with the help of these great tips.
Safe Location
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer. If you use a lightweight sleeping bag during the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. You could even experience hypothermia.
Always locate your shelter before dark 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 particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
When you’re getting a brand new tent for your camping trip, take it out and set it up at home before you go camping. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
After you buy your camping tent, set it up at home rather than waiting until your trip to set it up for the first time. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. You will find your frustration level diminishes greatly as well.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
Don’t worry about over-packing for your kids. Camping can be dirty! Kids simply love to get dirty. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Stay ahead of the game!
Prior to leaving on your camping adventure, look at the weather forecast in the location your are going to be camping. The Internet is a great resource for finding weather related information for the area you will be camping in. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. It is very versatile, so be sure you take one with you every time you go camping.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. Only go camping when you have prepared yourself for it. When you go to a new campground in a far away location, make sure you know about the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. What you include will depend on where you are going and when. Take into consideration all the possibilities that nature has to offer, and take precautions for them.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. It will also allow prevent the frustration of not being able to see while setting up your equipment.
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. When camping, home showers can seem like a luxury. When swimming, you will feel refreshed and cleaner. If you use some biodegradable soap, you can get just as clean as you would at home.
Duct Tape
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. Such tape can quickly fix holes in tents, leaking inflatables and worn soles on shoes. It can also be used to seal mosquito netting.
An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. Though your location can contribute to necessities in the kit, the basics will remain the same. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
Talk to your children about the dangers of camping before heading out on your trip. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. They also take moisture from the air and that makes them grow mildew fast. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Don’t forget the duct tape. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. Duct tape is useful for patching holes in air mattresses. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. If you are going on a long hike, you can put it on the sensitive parts of your feet for blister prevention. This can also be used for injuries when you do not have a regular doctor around.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. They can be used as padding or for warmth.
Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. You may encounter people with a fear of dogs. You should be respectful of other campers while at the site. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.
Don’t let your children out of your sight. Cars constantly come and go at campsites, and kids can quickly lose their way in the woods. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
Bring a good utility knife when you camp. These types of knives are the key to success when you need tools at a campsite. Carry an extra one in your bags in the event that your main one gets lost.
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. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, make sure you can read a map and a compass. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. You can avoid things going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
New campers frequently set up their camps near the restrooms. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. Bathrooms are a source of light, and they are also high traffic areas. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
One handy piece of equipment to take with you when you head out on your next camping trip is a roll of duct tape. It is as convenient for repairs while you are camping as it is at home. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. If you’re planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. You can use duct tape for almost anything.
When you do not pack and plan properly for your camping trip, it can be not only dangerous, but a disastrous adventure that no one will enjoy. Hopefully, the tips laid out here helped you with all the information you should know to have a great time on your next trip!
