To some people the thought of camping inspires thoughts of bugs, inclement weather, and burned hot dogs. This is not how it has to be. By taking the time to properly plan, you can avoid nasty bugs, eat well and have a wonderful time. Read on to learn ways to plan your camping trip to keep it enjoyable.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
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. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. You can always take a bath back at the house.
When camping, there is a good chance that your items will get dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand, it won’t stress you out when it occurs. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy the freedom, let your hair down, and get a little dirtier than usual. When you return home, make sure to stay as organized as possible.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. Your kit’s contents will change depending upon the season and location of your trip, but you should always bring the basics. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. Take something like creamer for your coffee or a chocolate candy bar. These little things can make your day!
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for mosquito repellant. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. The typical pillows will become sticky in hot and humid climates. The tend to absorb ambient moisture and grow mildew as well. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
A jungle breakfest is a great way to add excitement to your trip. To do this, tie cereal and juice boxes to trees so that your kids have to hunt for their breakfest. Let younger children wake up and hunt for their breakfast. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. You can all get together and check out pictures of various plants that are hazardous so they can learn what they can’t touch when they’re looking around.
Bring adequate amounts of food. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Make sure your food is prepared the right way to avoid the risk of spoilage.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
Duct Tape
The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. Just like around the home, it has many uses while camping. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. You can even use it to hold on a makeshift bandage.
Try to find a campsite that is closer to your house for your convenience when on your first trip. You could run into problems with your gear, or you may decide you simply don’t like camping that much. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
An orange peel may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re out camping. If you’ve packed everything, except for mosquito repellant, do not fret. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This can help for many hours.
If your kids are going camping with you, have a photo of them on you. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Always have one on you for emergencies.
If you bring along a canine companion on your trip, keep your pet leashed and watch him or her closely. Some people are afraid of dogs. Respecting others at the campsite is vital. Also, dogs can damage your campsite or another person’s campsite if they’re not watched carefully.
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. If your tent has damage, duct tape can be used to fixed it so you do not have to worry about getting wet at night.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. So a lighter bag for summers and a heavier and thicker bag for winter time. Though, winter will require a heavy bag that traps body warmth during the night.
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. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
How do you plan to cook your food when you camp? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. Cooking over a fire sounds romantic but may not be practical, especially if you don’t have the right equipment.
Dress in layers when camping. Weather can change on a dime. While the early morning may be freezing, by afternoon it can get hot and humid. It can turn chilly again in the evenings. You will have to have a lot of layers of clothing so you are always ready for the weather, whatever it is.
Don’t forget the duct tape. There are multiple uses to put it to when camping, just like at home. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. If anyone hurts themselves, it can be used for securing splints or for covering wounds, provided something soft is placed between the tape and skin.
Plan plenty of activities to keep yourself busy while camping. Campfires and making smores aren’t all there is to do when you’re going camping. Have some creativity and plan ahead for things that every member of your family finds entertaining. Think of both your younger and older kids when choosing activities.
Now you should know you can have a lot of fun camping. Use the things presented here to help you plan an outing into nature. They can help you avoid any issues and enjoy a lot of benefits and offerings.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Just neglecting to include a thing or two can completely ruin the outing. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. A few things that you probably should pack include a sleeping bag, tent, knife, food, soap, and plenty of water.
