Most people see camping as a way to get rid of stress and get away from the stresses of the day. If you don’t prepare correctly your trip can end up being a disaster. This article will provide you with tips to help you have a smooth camping experience.
Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You may even risk hypothermia.
You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won’t 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.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. 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. Make a list of your favorites and allow the family to vote.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. This can get people engaged and ready to go camping.
After buying a tent, make sure to pitch it in your yard before you leave for a trip. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. When you travel to camp, you may need to have this updated or add an additional policy. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
Make sure to pack plenty of extra clothing for your children. Camping can be dirty! Kids love the dirt. Therefore, you will need to understand that a clean trip is probably out of the question. While you can’t do much to prevent that, you can at least provide clean clothing, so long as you brought extra. Be ready for anything.
A jungle breakfest is a great way to add excitement to your trip. Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals. Let the kids go out hunt for their breakfast. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Start collecting it in advance of your trip. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. This makes it possible for everyone to sleep comfortably, and it also allows for room to move about and exit the tent if nature calls.
Bring duct tape with you since it can help you in many situations. Such tape can quickly fix holes in tents, leaking inflatables and worn soles on shoes. It can also be used to seal mosquito netting.
Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Card games, fishing poles, and a list for a scavenger hunt are all great activities. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.
Double check your medical insurance. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. This is doubly important for campgrounds that are far away. Pack several days before you leave, and check things off as you go.
Keep one eye on your children at all times. People may be driving around the campsites, and it’s also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they’re not familiar with an area. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and “hunt” for their breakfast. It adds some fun to camping.
It is wise to leave a cell phone fully charged somewhere where you can reach it. Bring extra batteries in case the first one dies. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
Duct Tape
Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. Cool water will make you feel clean and fresh, so you may not miss your shower at all.
Take a roll or two of duct tape on your next camping trip. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. Many people fear dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. If your food isn’t canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Pack perishables in ice, and don’t forget to pull out the drain plug of the cooler to keep food from getting wet.
As previously mentioned, camping can be pretty fun. However, if you do not prepare properly, your trip can turn into a nightmare. Use the tips you have been provided with in the above article to ensure your next camping trip goes off without a hitch. Remember the whole purpose of going camping, which is to have a good time!
Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
