A lot of individuals see camping as an excited opportunity to temporarily escape from their busy lives and the stresses associated with said lives. Without proper planning and preparation, your trip can turn into a disaster. The following advice will help you make sure your camping adventure is enjoyable.
Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. This is really important for people who live in the city. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. This will make everyone feel invested. Try to keep a small list, as there is such an abundance of spots to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
Double check your medical insurance. Sometimes, being covered while out of state requires an additional policy. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You may even risk hypothermia.
When camping alone or in the company of friends, always bring an emergency kit. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Don’t forget to pack up some duct tape when you’re camping because it’s very versatile. It can fix so many different things, holes, leaks and just about anything else that arises.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
Educate yourself about the area that you are camping in, and know what hazards you could encounter. There may be spiders or bears near you that could pose a threat. Every camping area has different dangers that you should be aware of.
Kids love camping, especially when you plan activities that they can do. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. Teach them about these activities prior to leaving.
Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. That can also cut down on the frustration some feel when setting a tent up for the first time.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.
Take some things to entertain yourself while in the wild. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. A first aid kit, matches in a water tight container, a good knife, flares and tablet to purify water are some essentials to include. 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. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your campsite.
If you are camping deep in the woods, take extra care with your food. You can wrap up leftovers well, keep them away from the tent and use other precautions to protect yourself. This will help prevent wild animals from being tempted to visit your campsite.
Camping is a fun hobby enjoyed by individuals across the globe. You must be prepared if you want things to go well. By using the camping tips and advice you’ve learned here, you can be sure your next trip will be exciting and memorable for all the right reasons. Enjoy yourself!
Combine your camping trip with some swimming. When you’re out camping, it’s really easy to miss your shower at home. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.