Camping is a very unique life experience. There is nothing better than going waking up next to nature. Everyone was a little hesitant of their first camping experience, but this article should help calm some of those fears.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
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. It’s important that you bring extra wood with you that you can keep in a dry area.
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. This kit may keep you alive if you are lost and these items are indispensable for a survival situation. Your kit should not be left behind at the camp site, but should be carried with you wherever you go.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. If you prepare yourself for this ahead of time, it won’t stress you out as much when it happens. Allow yourself to be improper, messy and just “let go” while outside. You can get back to normal after returning home.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be dirty. Kids are always attracted to dirt. This means that by day’s end your children and their clothes can be quite soiled. Be sure to pack some extra clothes for your kids in case this happens. Prepare ahead of time!
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. They can serve many purposes, like potholder, blotter, hand towel or carrying bag. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. These items are important to have in case you get lost. Carry it at all times.
It’s not totally necessary to rough it during your entire trip. You can bring along something comforting from home for your trip. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. If your camping with a tent, make sure to find a dry area that is also flat so you can pitch your tent with ease. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. You will be able to see a lot better, and this will make everything easier.
Emergency kits are a good thing to have prepared for any camping trip. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Learn about any dangers that may exist at your campsite before heading out on the highway. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Bring along supplies to keep you entertained in the great outdoors. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. If your kids are along on your camping trip, include as many entertainment items as possible.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Just neglecting to include a thing or two can completely ruin the outing. The creation of a list of all the things needed and use of that list when packing will be helpful. You need a lot of things to take with you on a trip, and you don’t want to miss anything.
If you will be camping in an area that is known for having dangerous wildlife, you need to double up your precautions when it comes to food. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Camping Trip
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Prevent water from getting in by placing a tarp or plastic sheet under the floor of your tent.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Pack a few days before your camping trip is supposed to happen and check off your list while you go through things.
You can start planning your next camping trip with the advice you have just read. Take what you’ve learned here to heart, and you’ll be an expert camper in no time. Regardless of the location you choose, you are guaranteed to enjoy your next camping trip.
Always make sure that your cell phone is with you when you get to your campsite, and it should be fully charged. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
