Vacations don’t always have to be about theme parks and museums; camping also makes for a great vacation. If you want to maximize your enjoyment next time you go camping, read on. You will learn some great advice to use the next time you head to the great outdoors!
Be prepared to get dirty. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Enjoy your time and don’t afraid to be messy. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. There are thousands upon thousands of places to choose from. If it is the simpler option, try picking a few you favor and letting your whole family vote on them.
Be sure your tent is big enough. That makes it easier for everyone to have a comfy time while they’re asleep and moving around when they have to get up in the dead of night.
When you buy a new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. In emergencies, such cloth can turn into a towel, a potholder or a piece of luggage. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Duct Tape
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. Duct tape can be used to repair anything. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.
When camping with children, create special themed breakfasts. Use serving sized boxes of cereal, pieces of fruit and juice boxes and tie them to trees near your campsite. Then your kids can go out searching for their own breakfast. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next camping trip if they don’t get eaten this time.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Kids love camping, especially when you plan activities that they can do. Do not let the absence of TV and video games lead them to complain that they are bored. They have probably never fished or set up tents. Show them how to do these things before you leave if they haven’t spent a lot of times outdoors.
You must always pack a survival kit and first aid kit. Without them, you may need to finish your camping trip earlier than you would like. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious from becoming deadly and earn yourself enough time to get the injured some medical help.
A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. Campground bathrooms attract high foot traffic and create bright light during the night. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
Are you just starting out in the world of camping? So, practice setting up your tent and taking it down before you leave home. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
Keep safety at the front of your mind. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Small wildlife, such as squirrels, can be very dangerous despite their tiny size. Obviously, stay away from larger animals like bears and never feed them.
A well ventilated and dry tent is a lot more comfortable. When your sleeping quarters are entirely sealed, from head to toe, condensation gathers and can aggravate the breathing. This sometimes causes campers to wake from a deep sleep feeling wet. Find a tent with a built-in vent to reduce the moisture in your sleeping area.
Prevent the hassle of accidentally draining your flashlight’s batteries when camping. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
If you have never been camping in the forest before and are thinking about doing so, this is a fast way to find out whether or not camping is for you. Pitch a tent in your backyard and spend the entire night out there. No matter what happens, stay out of the house. If the night is fun, you are ready to head to the wilderness!
Camping can be a lot more enjoyable and easy if you just know what you’re doing, and hopefully you have learned something here. Use the advice given to you here and enjoy your next outing.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. You will need a light source to see clearly once the sun sinks in the sky. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. If you have children with you on your camping trip, a smart thing to do is to give each of them a flashlight.
