Many people look to camping as a fun, exciting get away from their everyday life and stresses. However, if you are not properly prepared, your trip may not go quite as planned. Continue reading the following information to learn what you can to make for an enjoyable camping trip.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Always set up a new tent once at home before taking it camping. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.
Sleeping Bag
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the other hand, light-weight sleeping supplies will never keep you warm enough in the dead of winter. You may even get hypothermia.
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
Don’t be afraid to over-pack for your children. Camping can be dirty. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. You can not really prevent it from happening, but you can pack extra clothes. Staying prepared is the best way to avoid issues on your trip.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Should an emergency arise, your knowledge of first aid can prevent further issues until help arrives. Be sure to do some research as well. You should be aware of things like whether there are snakes around and what kind of animals live there.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. It would be horrible to forget something important like the tent or camp mat. Make a comprehensive checklist of all of the items you will need on your camping trip and double check items in your bags and car against the list to ensure that you do not forget anything.
Before you leave home to go camping, check to see if inclement weather is predicted in the area you are planning to visit. You can find the average weather during a season for almost any location online. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
Understand your medical coverage. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. This becomes even more important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Make sure that you that you are prepared, just in case!
When you are planning a camping trip with children, take some time before you go to talk with them about common camping dangers. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Carry a handkerchief or bandanna while camping. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. There are many uses for these, so you want to be sure you have one or both of them on your next camping trip.
Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.
Try to find a campsite that is closer to your house for your convenience when on your first trip. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. Other problems can be food shortage or inadequate clothing. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. The typical pillows will become sticky in hot and humid climates. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Even just a handful of things missing can really affect your camping experience. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Some must have items include a tent, sleeping bags, a couple of tarps, food and water, a knife and fire starting supplies.
Pack enough of the right kinds of food. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. There are many great online sources to provide you with information on how to properly prepare and store food for your camping trip.
As stated earlier, camping can be a lot of fun. Though, in the absence of sound planning, camping can become rather difficult and unpleasant. Use the advice from this article to make sure you have a smooth camping trip. And most importantly, enjoy your trip!
