Top Camping Advice Every Camper Should Know

Has camping been an intimidating prospect, simply because you have no previous experience with it? You can get over your fears. All that’s needed is the confidence to do it and good advice to help you on your way. Then this article is perfect for you! This article has some of the very best tips about camping.

When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. When night falls, making food, finding wood, and pitching your tent can be very difficult. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.

Select the right sleeping bag for the season. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. Alternatively, taking a light bag in the winter can lead to great discomfort. You would in fact be risking your health and safety.

TIP! Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable.

You might think that you can find all of the wood that you need to keep the fire going, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s always recommended that you bring extra wood and keep it where it won’t get wet.

Always set up a new tent once at home before taking it camping. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.

If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping can be very messy. Kids are always attracted to dirt. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Be prepared for dirty clothes and dirty children by packing extra clothes.

TIP! Don’t be afraid to over-pack for your children. Camping can get very messy and dirty when you bring your children.

Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. You should have no problem sleeping and getting through the nights when camping.

Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. You are probably going to miss the shower you have at home while camping. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.

Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. If you have an accident, you are going to know how to fix the situation before you can get professional medical help. Never forget to research. Find out what poisonous snakes or dangerous animals live in the area.

TIP! Take a first aid class, particularly if you are traveling with children. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation.

Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. There are people who do not like dogs, so you will want to keep them in control. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.

Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.

Check weather reports in the area you plan to camp in. You may even be able to find a website that gives you a general idea of the normal weather patterns in that area. If you have the correct weather information, you will be better prepared with proper equipment and clothing.

TIP! Make sure that you find out what sort of weather is forecast for the place that you are going to be camping at. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall.

Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.

When you are at your campsite, pitch your tent on the softest and most level ground you are able to find. Spots that are rocky, steep or wet mean an uncomfortable sleeping experience for you. A tarp should be laid on the ground before the tent is set up to keep moisture out.

Check over your medical insurance before going on a camping trip. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!

TIP! Examine your medical insurance policy. If you go to another state, you may have to have another policy.

It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. Even better, tote an extra battery in case your first one dies. The cellular phone can be a lifesaver, so it is important to ensure its viability throughout your journey.

Make sure your shelter is ready before dark. It is much more difficult to pitch your tent after dark. You need either a fire or a flashlight. It is best to do this before dark so you can put it up correctly.

Consider having a “jungle breakfast” if you are on a camping trip with children. Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Let the kids go out hunt for their breakfast. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.

TIP! Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. To do this, tie cereal and juice boxes to trees so that your kids have to hunt for their breakfest.

Duct Tape

When going camping, bring some duct tape with you. Tents can get torn in spite of the increased durability of the newer ones. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.

Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. This item has many different uses such as a hand towel and carrying bag. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you’re camping.

TIP! Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter.

People that are new at camping sometimes mistakenly set up their camps near restrooms. It may be convenient in some ways, but there are a lot of issues with that. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. As a result, camper privacy and enjoyment can be seriously impacted.

Take the measures necessary to have a safe camping trip. Stay away from all large animals and most small ones as well. Even squirrels and tiny animals may pose a threat to you and your family. Obviously, stay away from larger animals like bears and never feed them.

Oranges will not only fill you up, but they’ll keep mosquitoes away. Use the peels to rub your body down. It is a low-cost, chemical-free way to keep bugs away.

TIP! Be sure to bring a supply of oranges with you on your trip; they are both healthy and keep mosquitoes away. Don’t throw away the peels when you are finished with them and rub them on yourself.

Plan Activities

Plan activities to make the trip exciting from beginning to end. Camping trips shouldn’t only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Instead, plan activities that each member of the family will enjoy. When making plans, consider your older and younger children.

Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it is humid outside. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. Camping pillows do not have these problems.

TIP! Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew.

Keep your tent free from moisture and well ventilated. If your tent is sealed up, condensation may form on it and the items inside. This will result in you waking up soaking wet. Most tents have some sort of venting system. Use it to help prevent uncomfortable moisture build up.

A full first aid kit should be a vital part of your camping gear. This should have all the necessary materials in case someone has an accident. Be sure to include pain killers, bandages, snake bite supplies, aloe, tweezers, and gauze. Although you will try to be as safe as possible, it is better to be prepared in case an accident does occur.

It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. Forgetting your sleeping bag or food is not what you want to happen. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.

TIP! Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. You never want to forget something important, like a tent or your sleeping bag.

Now that you took in the information stated above, you are ready to give camping a try. Whether your adventure will take you on a wild adventure or just into your own backyard, these tips will help. You’ll soon realize that you will want to go camping frequently.