
Are you getting the familiar urge to hit the road for a trip to the nearest campground? You must properly plan your trip, even if you spend one day or a week in the outdoors. The article below has information that can make your camping trip relaxing, pleasurable and safe.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Think about where it is you want to go. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
If you’re bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Camping can be a messy affair. Kids are seriously attracted to the dirt. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. By packing a few extra changes of clothes, your children can be presentable at dinner. Keep yourself ready at all times.
Review your health insurance policy. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This is especially important if your camping destination is in Canada or another country. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. Look for a safe parking place if you are camping in an RV. Search for flat, dry ground when camping in a tent. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
If camping is new for you, start somewhere nearby. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. There are many unexpected problems you may encounter the first time you go camping, so stay close to home.
A first aid session, especially if you have children, is essential. 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. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. The weather could change suddenly, you could encounter hostile people or animals, and someone could become sick or injured. You need to pay attention to what you’re doing, avoid unnecessarily risky behavior, and think before you act whether you are in a crisis or a normal camping situation.
Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. Save the orange peels and rub them into your exposed skin. Insects will stay away from you for an affordable price.
Upon arrival at the campsite, find a soft, flat area of ground and pitch your tent there. If you choose an uneven area, being in your tent will be uncomfortable and unenjoyable. In addition to looking for soft ground, lay down a tarp to prevent moisture from soaking into the bottom of your tent.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. An easy way to prevent this is to switch your batteries around when the flashlight isn’t being used. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
Sleeping Bag
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. Hot weather calls for a lightweight bag, while heavier bags are needed for colder temperatures. Make sure your sleeping bag fits you well, hugs your body and helps you to retain heat.

Know what dangers await you at your camping destination. This includes knowing the area’s deadly spiders, what the terrain is like, and whether flash flooding is possible or not. Every camping spot has its own potential dangers for the untrained.
Watch your kids closely. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. Make sure your children are always supervised because mishaps can happen quickly.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These items can help save a life or help keep a harmful situation from going from bad to worse. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.
When you are planning a camping trip with children, take some time before you go to talk with them about common camping dangers. The information contains pictures of poisonous plants that they can use as a guide of what to avoid.
Duct Tape
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. Tents can get torn in spite of the increased durability of the newer ones. A little duct tape can means you can still sleep dry through a rainy night.
It is really critical to make sure that you pack the essential items and equipment for camping. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. Write a list of essentials and as you pack the items, cross them off. Good items to bring include a sleeping bag, water, food, hygiene supplies and things that can help you get a fire started.
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. These matches should be kept in a container that’s airtight. You can take ordinary matches and make them waterproof when you dip them into nail polish or paraffin. You can store these matches in something like a medicine bottle or empty film container.
It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. If you take care of business in the woods, toilet paper is imperative to have. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Rub this inner peel of the orange over your exposed skin and watch the magic at work. It’ll keep you mosquito-free for hours.
Stay safe while you camp. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Smaller animals can be a lot more dangerous than expected, like squirrels for instance. Refrain from feeding these animals as they can do damage to you.
Keep your food safe when you are camping. Pack your foods in bags or containers that are airtight and waterproof. Also, use insulated coolers. Make sure to keep your raw food and cooked food separate. Also keep you hands clean with soap or water-free cleaner before you handle food. Make sure your food is thoroughly cooked, and keep perishable foods cold.
Plan what you’re going to wear before setting off on a camping trip. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. Clothing that is appropriate for the climate in which you will be camping should also be carried. Don’t forget to pack durable, comfortable shoes for walking.
Camping Trip
Now you should be better equipped to take a camping trip that goes well. You might have realized that you need the same things whether you camp out for a night or a week. Make use of your research and start planning for your camping trip today.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
