It doesn’t get much better than lounging around a campfire under the stars surrounded by your friends and family. There are many reasons why camping can be a great pastime. However, while camping can be fun, it is important that proper planning is taken before the trip. The following article has some great advice on what you can do to prepare yourself for your next camping trip.
When camping, bring the sleeping bag that appeals to the season that you are in. A sleep bag designed for winter camping would make you sweat during the summer. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won’t keep you warm in the winter. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. Once it is dark in the woods, pitching a tent can be next to impossible, finding firewood can be difficult and preparing food hard. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Be sure your tent is big enough. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.
Kids love camping, but you need to plan out activities for them to do on the trip. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. They may not have any experience with things such as fishing or setting up a tent. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
Generally when you camp, you want to live with as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
When you’re getting a brand new tent for your camping trip, take it out and set it up at home before you go camping. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. You will find your frustration level diminishes greatly as well.
Is this your first tent? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. This will enable you to learn how to pitch the tent properly and make sure all of the equipment is fully functional. This will also speed up your ability to pitch a tent and keep you safe if nighttime is approaching when you’re ready to camp.
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you’re camping. Anything can happen while camping so it is crucial to be prepared. Weather conditions can turn on a dime, your surroundings can change suddenly and injuries can occur at any time. Do not be careless, because this can get in the way of you having fun.
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. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. Keep your kit with you at all times; don’t leave it at the campsite.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping on a slope or a spot with a rocky surface. Put a tarp down before pitching your tent to prevent water from entering.
Make a list and check it twice before packing for your camping excursion. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance to get to your camp site. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.
Don’t worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can be dirty. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. Staying prepared is the best way to avoid issues on your trip.
Keep one eye on your children at all times. Cars always are always coming and going from these sites, so young children may simply and quickly get lost inside the woods. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
An orange peel can help repel mosquitoes. Don’t worry if you forgot your bug spray. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you’ll have to get an additional policy to cover you. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. Preparation can be the factor that determines how your trip turns out. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
Create shelter before it gets dark out, as it can be very difficult to function when night falls. It’s hard enough to throw up a tent, but it’s even harder with the lights out. If it’s already dark, you’ll need to create fire while using a flashlight. This should be done when the sun is present so that you can use natural light.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. This hunting experience adds a sense of excitement to the trip. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.
It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. You may have to use nature’s toilet. It is not advisable to use leaves, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. When you camp by the bathrooms, it isn’t as convenient as you think.
During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. You will find yourself feeling clean and refreshed after a dip in cool water. This can lesson the desire for your home shower.
Remember food safety when you go camping. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Insulated coolers are best for keeping food. Make sure to keep your raw food and cooked food separate. Wash your hands while preparing food and afterward, and keep any surfaces, utensils and cooking containers clean as well. Cook foods to the right internal temperature and get foods that need to be cold chilled quickly.
There are several things to keep in mind when considering camping. Apply what you’ve learned here, and have a great, safe trip with your family and friends.
The lint from the dryer actually is great to help start campfires. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer’s filter. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.