To some people the thought of camping inspires thoughts of bugs, inclement weather, and burned hot dogs. This, however, is not really the truth. You can avoid bugs, eat well and have a wonderful time, if you plan well. Read this article to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. 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. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. You may even risk hypothermia.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Do not get yourself into this situation, and find your shelter during daylight hours.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. This will let you know that you’re not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
Bring a survival kit that you can carry on your person at all times. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. You need this if you become lost or stranded; the items in your kit may save your life. Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
Extra Clothing
Make sure to pack plenty of extra clothing for your children. Camping can be quite dirty. Children, in particular, love to get their hands in the dirt. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. Be ready for anything.
If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. Then when your kids get up, let them search for their food. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
When going camping you need to ensure that the tent you build can easily hold you and anybody else that comes along. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. When you go camping, you can miss out on things like showers. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
A jungle breakfest is a great way to add excitement to your trip. Tie fruit, juice boxes, and small boxes of cereal to trees. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. This makes the trip even more magical for kids.
Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise and have a plan in place. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. If you think there will be snakes, you might want to include antivenom.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Bring oranges not only to eat but also to deter mosquitoes. Use the peels to rub your body down. It is a low-cost, chemical-free way to keep bugs away.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. They could get bored if there isn’t anything to do. They probably aren’t used to camping activities such as pitching a tent or fishing. This a great way for them to experience the great outdoors.
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. You may not have enough food, or realize that you didn’t pack the right clothing. There are many unexpected problems you may encounter the first time you go camping, so stay close to home.
When you’re going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. It’s easy to look at photos online of harmful plants like poison ivy so that they are aware that they should not touch them when they’re camping.
Take some things to do on your camping trip. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. If your kids are along on your camping trip, include as many entertainment items as possible.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Always put a tarp down on the ground first so that water can’t get in and ruin the tent.
Prior to leaving for a camping journey, be sure to draft a list of necessary supplies. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Start packing a couple of days in advance of camping, making sure to follow a checklist.
Pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the camping climate. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. You want a sleeping bag that is close to your body and helps you retain your body heat if you plan to sleep in a tent.
Don’t let your kids out of your sight. Kids can get lost easily, even in the campsite and they have to be aware of others driving on the camp roads. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. If you neglected to pack mosquito spray, fear not. Instead, just rub the white part of an orange rind over your skin. This can help for many hours.
Always watch your kids closely. Cars and campers will be pulling in and out, and there is always the possibility of little ones getting quickly lost in an unfamiliar forest. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
Now you should know you can have a lot of fun camping. Apply what you’ve learned here to your next camping trip. Doing so makes your entire trip more enjoyable.