Camping is a great activity to do with family and friends. If you have never gone camping, you are certainly missing out on a great experience, so give it a try when you can. There is a wealth of preparation and knowledge needed for camping. Read through these tips and reflect on what you can use during your next camping trip.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. By packing a few extra changes of clothes, your children can be presentable at dinner. Be ready for anything.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. Setting the proper regulations in advance can help to combat this. Enjoy being in the woods and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. When you return home, make sure to stay as organized as possible.
Before going camping, take a course in first aid, especially if you plan to bring children with you. This way, if someone were to have an accident, you’ll possess enough knowledge to deal with it enough until medical help arrives. Be sure to research the area you are visiting. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
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. This kind of “dry run” also helps lower your frustration level when setting up the tent at the campsite
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Always bring along a well-stocked emergency kit when you head out on a camping trip. The contents of the kit may change depending on where you camp and who you are with, but it should contain basic supplies. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. There are lots of websites that can give you an idea of what the typical weather is like in the area during the time of your travel. When you know what the weather will be like beforehand, you can plan more appropriately.
If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, don’t forget his leash. There are campers who do not like dogs. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before embarking on your trip. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. You can really feel good on your trip when you bring these food items.
Make sure you always know where your children are. Kids love to explore in the woods and they can very easily get lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.
Utility Knife
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. When adventuring in an RV, be safely parked before dark. When you find a camping area, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.
Pack your things with care. List all of the supplies that you need so that you are not missing anything while on the trip. This is very helpful if you’ll be far from civilization.
Bring duct tape with you since it can help you in many situations. It is great for patching your tent, repairing your shoes, fixing your insect netting and various other tasks.
Make sure waterproof matches are in your survival kit. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
Once you are finished camping, be sure your campsite is left clean. Get some trash bags and clean up your mess. Do not leave any left over food behind. The thing to keep in mind as you prepare to go home is that the only sign of your stay in the woods should be your own footprints.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.
Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
Never forget to pack ample toilet paper on your next camping trip. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. To keep from having to use potentially dangerous leaves, you need to have toilet paper on hand.
Pack your camping supplies in advance of your trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Make a list of the items you need, and double check it before you leave home.
If you’re new to camping there’s a way to figure out of it is something you would enjoy. Pitch a tent in your garden or backyard and spend one or two nights in it. Forbid yourself from entering the house. If your night goes well, and you don’t find yourself too tempted by the comforts of home, you will probably love camping.
It is important for you to bring along a first-aid kit. The kit has to have in it everything you need in an emergency situation. These bandages and aspirin can help improve the quality of your trip when included with your first aid supplies. Just because you are camping does not mean you are exempt from having an accident, so always be aware.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. If you are just sitting in the woods, they will end up bored. While fishing, pitching a tent and starting a fire might sound fun, they are not the activities kids are used to. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
Camping is a fun experience, but requires being prepared and knowing a few things. You must actually utilize these tips, not simply read them and push them behind the desk before the trip begins! By using these tips, you can have a fun trip, for sure.