Regardless of if you go in your backyard to camp, or are taking a mountain trip, preparing beforehand makes the time go better for everyone. Read the following tips to learn more about preparing to go camping. The information you find will no doubt be useful on your trip.
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Make sure you know what’s covered in your medical insurance. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can get back to normal after returning home.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
Camping Pillows
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
Bring along camping pillows to the campsite. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Camping pillows are specially coated to prevent moisture absorption.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Make sure you do the proper research. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
Make sure that you take some activity equipment with you. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you are going camping with children, you need to make sure that you bring a lot of things to keep them entertained during the trip.
Understand your medical coverage. Some policies don’t cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Always be prepared.
Camping is about being one with nature and living off the basics, but it is important to go prepared. Bring extra blankets along with your sleeping bag. These can be used for additional padding or for extra warmth on a chilly night.
Create a list of items you need for your camping trip. It’s especially important to make a checklist if you will be traveling a distance to the campgrounds. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.
Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. You may miss the shower at your home when you are camping. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
Believe it or not, an orange’s peel may keep mosquitoes from biting you during your next camping excursion. Don’t worry if you forget the bug spray. Rub this inner peel of the orange over your exposed skin and watch the magic at work. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
Utility Knife
Before you embark on any camping trip you should be sure you have emergency supplies on hand, like a first aid kit and more. There may be different items in it depending on your camping location, but there are some things that should be in any kit. If you think there will be snakes, you might want to include antivenom.
A utility knife is one of the most useful camping tools. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. Preparation can be the factor that determines how your trip turns out. When you prepare correctly, your trip will be great.
Before the sun goes down, make sure that you have your camp completely set up. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. You can see how to set up your camp, which will save a good deal of frustration.
Duct Tape
It’s essential to take duct tape on every camping trip. Although modern tents are more durable than older ones, you still may tear your tent. Having some duct tape to repair your tent can be the difference between sleeping soaking wet or sleeping dry on a rainy night.
Don’t forget the duct tape when you pack for a camping trip, to solve just about any dilemma! From mending tent holes to fixing shoes, duct tape can be used for a lot of repair work in a pinch.
Make sure you know how to read both a map and a compass. Even if you know the area well, getting lost is always a possibility. Also, this will help to avoid tragedy with friends or family.
Lots of camping novices set up their camp beside the rest area. While this can seem convenient, it really isn’t. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. Therefore, camping is not as comfortable and convenient as expected.
Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. Forgetting something crucial like your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not something you want to happen. Be sure you double check everything you’re taking and create a checklist prior to taking off so you’re sure everything is there.
Whenever you camp, what will you do for cooking purposes? You should figure this out before you leave home so you can carry the correct supplies with you. Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but it isn’t so easy if you don’t have the right supplies.
Use proper food safety techniques when you go camping. Use the correct containers to pack and store food in. Put your food in an insulated cooler. Keep cooked food separate from raw food to prevent contamination. Always wash any food surfaces, as well as your hands. Use antibacterial soap to wash and follow with sanitizer. Also, be sure that all food is fully cooked and that any leftovers are chilled as soon as possible.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.
As you have seen, camping is an activity enjoyed by many people. By using what you have gone over in this article, you’ll be able to go on a camping trip that would make even someone who hates the outdoors have a good time. Go outside, and take advantage of nature’s pristine bliss.