Enjoy Your Next Vacation With These Camping Tips

Camping is a great way to bond with family and friends. Some people miss this wonderful opportunity because they feel it is difficult to do it right. It doesn’t have to be if you have the right tips. Read on to learn as much as you can about camping.

Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. Once the sky becomes dark, finding a good spot for your tent, necessary firewood and food preparation become near impossible. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. 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.

Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. Bringing your own small supply of wood and keeping it dry is a wise decision.

TIP! You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.

Select a sleeping bag which is right for the season. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You might develop hypothermia.

If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. In addition, it will eradicate a portion of the frustration often associated with erecting a new tent.

Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. Some policies don’t cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Be prepared in case there is an injury or illness.

TIP! Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage.

Pack a first aid kit. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.

Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. The weather could turn sour, injuries could occur or other unforeseen events may happen. You should not be careless, take unnecessary risks, or perform any action without considering the consequences.

Combine your camping trip with some swimming. Camping can make you miss your shower. The coolness of water while swimming is refreshing on hot days, and it helps you to clean yourself. You might not miss the shower after all!

TIP! Incorporate swimming into your camping trip. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower.

Think about your clothing before your camping adventure. Make sure you’ll have clean clothes to wear every day. Pack clothes that will allow you to dress properly for whatever weather is expected in the area where you will be camping. Shoes that are durable enough to handle rough terrain should be worn at all times.

If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. If the unthinkable happens and your kids get lost, possessing a picture of them could be a lifesaver. A picture should be carried anytime you are away from home, but even more importantly when camping in the woods.

Oranges will not only fill you up, but they’ll keep mosquitoes away. When you get through eating an orange, rub the peel on exposed skin to keep pesky bugs away.

TIP! 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. After you’ve enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels.

It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your trip.

Duct Tape

Don’t forget the duct tape when you pack for a camping trip, to solve just about any dilemma! It has several uses like fixing a hole in a tent and holding moisture.

TIP! Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. It has several uses like fixing a hole in a tent and holding moisture.

Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. Tents are pretty strong, but they can suffer tears. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.

So many people suffer from food poisoning because food is not stored and prepared correctly. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Pack perishable foods in ice and drain your cooler often to prevent water from damaging the food.

Buy some camping pillows. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.

TIP! Don’t forget to include special pillows made just for camping on your adventure. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside.

Keep your food safe when you are camping. Pack it in airtight containers and make sure they are waterproof too. Insulated coolers are best for keeping food. Store raw food apart from cooked food to avoid contamination. Use hand sanitizer and soap to keep hands, as well as preparation surfaces, clean while you are handling food. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.

Camping really can be enjoyable. You can even become a pro at it. Use what you’ve read here when you next go camping. You should plan out a fun and exciting camping experience in the near future.

Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. Ensure you children know what poison ivy and poison oak looks like, what to do if they get lost or stumble upon wildlife.

TIP! Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.