Going Camping? Here’s What You Should Know

Camping is a wonderful and exciting way to spend your next vacation if you want to really enjoy yourself. Get the most enjoyment when you go camping next by following some of the information provided in this article.You will learn great tips that can be used to make the most of your next adventure outdoors!

Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. Also, during the winter, you should bring a sleeping bag that has down or heavy material. You may even risk hypothermia.

TIP! Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. You don’t want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer.

You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s always recommended that you bring extra wood and make sure it stays in a dry area.

Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Discuss what state you want to visit. Try to keep a small list, as there is such an abundance of spots to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.

TIP! Let your loved ones help you pick a campsite. Engage in conversation about what state and location they would like to visit.

If you have a new tent, you should set it up at home before you go on your camping trip. This will allow you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent and make sure there aren’t missing pieces. This can eliminate some of the aggravation felt when setting up a tent.

Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Camping can be messy. Kids love to play in the dirt. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. Be prepared!

TIP! Don’t worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can be messy.

Make sure you know what the weather before going on your trip. There are several websites that can tell you with this information. This information can help you prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.

If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Take juice boxes, mini cereal boxes and fruit and tie the food to trees. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.

TIP! Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. You can tie small food and drink boxes into the trees.

Camping is a great time but it can be incredibly fun or incredibly dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Only go camping when you are fully prepared.

Find all of your equipment and start packing well in advance of your trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.

TIP! It is important that you remember all the camping gear when going on a trip. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag.

These small luxuries can help to keep you happy and make your trip as pleasurable as possible.

Kids like camping, but they need structured activities. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. Teach them about these activities prior to leaving.

TIP! Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. If you are just sitting in the woods, they will end up bored.

Forgetting your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not what you want to happen.

It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. Go on the Internet together and read about safety, look at poison ivy pictures and poisonous animals.

TIP! Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.

Take some things to entertain yourself and your family.

Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If your kids are along on your camping trip, include as many entertainment items as possible.

TIP! Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Card games are a fun way to pass the time if the weather does not cooperate.

Make sure you have charged flashlights for the batteries in your flashlight by accident. It’s possible to accidentally turn on your bags. Keep your flashlight in backwards.This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when you need them.

Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! While it’s crucial to plan ahead for things, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Weather can change, situations can arise, injuries or illness can strike. To stay safe, plan ahead, do not take any risks and do not be careless.

TIP! Always be prepared when on a camping trip. Try to plan your camping trip as best you can, but know that unexpected events can arise.

Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries when you are packing for your camping trip. You may need a light source to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If you’re taking kids along with you, give them each their own flashlight.

Make sure that you choose the right sleeping bag for the conditions on the campsite. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.

TIP! Sleeping bags can be purchased for a variety of camping conditions. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter.

A utility knife is the most useful camping tools. Utility knives are among the most versatile pieces of equipment in a camper’s arsenal so bring along at least one.

Don’t take your eyes of children while camping. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It only takes a second for something to happen, so make sure that your children always have the supervision that they need.

TIP! Keep an eye on your children when you go camping. It is easy for children to get lost, and cars often come and go.

Cell Phone

Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. Always bring insect repellent on any camping trip.

TIP! Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. You want to avoid things like wasp’s nest, ant hills and things of that nature.

You should leave your car or basecamp without a cell phone that’s fully charged. You may also want to bring a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. Your phone can help should an emergency.

It is a good idea to have a cell phone that is fully charged in your car or base camp. Even better, try bring along some spare batteries in case your phone’s battery runs out. A mobile phone is an important part of camping safety these days, and you want it to be ready to go when you need it.

TIP! It makes sense to keep a totally charged cell phone on hand. You might want to bring an extra battery as well just in case your original runs low.

Camping can be a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a miserable one. Preparation can mean the factor that determines how your trip turns out. If you are well prepared for any possible situation, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.

Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. Even if this isn’t your first time at the site, it’s easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.

TIP! Make sure you know how to read both a map and a compass. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost.

Even if you’ve been to your campsite before, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. You will be able to avoid things going wrong if you know how to use both of these great lifesaving tools.

Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the season. In summer weather, for example, you’ll need a light bag that will help you stay cool. During the winter, however, a thick sleeping bag will trap your body heat and ensure that you don’t freeze.

TIP! Your sleeping bag selection should be made with the expected climate in mind. So a lighter bag for summers and a heavier and thicker bag for winter time.

Waterproof Matches

Do not set your camp near a bathroom. Such campers think that situating their tent in such an area will be convenient, but they soon realize the error of their ways. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.

TIP! Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. Although the location is convenient, there are many downfalls to this location.

Waterproof matches are an essential addition to your camping survival kit. These should be kept in a container that’s airtight. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish before you leave for your trip. You can also make a carrying case for them out of a film canister or a medicine bottle.

Bring along many different types of clothing. Outdoors, the weather can change frequently and quickly. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. The evenings may turn cold again very quickly. You’ll need to be sure your clothes are layered so it’s easy to adjust what you’re wearing throughout your day.

TIP! Dress in layers on your camping trip. Outdoor weather can change quickly.

Seal all your tent. You may find a tube at many sporting good stores if your tent didn’t include any. This will prevent rain or little critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.

Plan activities to make the trip exciting from beginning to end. There is much more to camping than fires and smores. Use your creativity and plan activities that all family members can enjoy. Make sure to plan some fun for even the youngest members of your group.

TIP! Make sure to plan fun things to do from your trip’s start to its finish. Campfire songs and roasting marshmallows aren’t the only fun things to do while camping.

Always follow safety first during camping. This means staying clear of dangerous wildlife and some of the small wildlife. Even smaller animals such as squirrels can be dangerous. Obviously, you should never try to feed a bear, do not feed them.

One of the most important things to include in packing for your camping trip is a basic first aid kit. The kit should contain anything that you will need in case of an accident. Bandages, aspirin, snake bite kit, splints, wound dressing, and other essential elements need to be in your first aid kit. Being safe is very important when you’re in the wild and accidents will happen, so be prepared.

TIP! Always bring along your first aid kit. The kit has to have in it everything you need in an emergency situation.

Make sure to practice food safety a priority when you set off camping. Make sure to pack your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Keep food in coolers that are insulated. 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 proper temperatures and chill foods that need to be cold chilled quickly.

Water purification tablets are a wonderful idea for a camping trip. Even when you believe you have brought sufficient supplies, or expect to simply boil collected water, you may find that more is required. Give the tablets a try at home so you know how the water tastes when it’s purified with them. The worst thing that could happen is that you become dehydrated, so be sure to plan to prevent this from happening.

TIP! Make sure you pack some kind of water purification tablets. Even when you think you have packed enough water or you have plans to boil that you collect onsite, you might not have the time or you may have underestimated your needs, You should test these tablets at home before using them on your camping trip; this ensures you are familiar with the taste.

When you are going camping for a longer time, ensure you have entertainment. Try to limit the number of electronics you take and instead bring a book, enjoy the outdoors and only bring a radio or a book for those evenings sitting around the campfire.

Camping supplies should include a lot of food, water and other drinks. If there are bears in your area, store your supplies far away from your sleeping zone. Garbage should be burned to dispose of any smell of food that may attract a bear to your campsite.

TIP! Take drinks, food and water with you when you go camping. If you’re camping anywhere that has bears, be sure to store any food far from where you’re sleeping.

You should always set up your shelter before darkness sets in. If you aren’t using a tent, you can create your shelter for the evening with much more success when it’s sunny out.

Take some things to do while you are inside the tent, or just hanging out at the campsite. If there is bad weather, this can really help to pass the time. You could end up spending a great deal of time in your tent if it rains. This doesn’t have to mean the end of your trip. Bring some inside activities in case you get stuck in your RV, cabin or tent.

TIP! Don’t forget indoor entertainment. If there is bad weather, this can really help to pass the time.

With the right information, your camping trip can be safer and more enjoyable than you ever imagined. By using the advice in this article you will have a wonderful experience next time you go camping, allowing you to enjoy the wonders of nature.

Be sure you know how to recognize dangerous plants before camping. If you are not aware of what to avoid, you will likely run right into them without knowing the difference. Look online or in a book. This information will help you avoid contact with any of these plants.

TIP! Before you next go camping, make sure that you know how to identify poisonous plants. You might mistake them for plants you see all of the time if you do not know what to look out for.