Expert Camping Tips For The Beginning Camper

You’re missing out on a real treat if you haven’t been camping. Sleeping and waking up to nature is one of the most relaxing than you may have ever imagined.This article can help both beginners and expert campers better enjoy their next trip.

Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. If you use a lightweight sleeping bag during the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. You might develop hypothermia.

TIP! Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag designed for cold weather that you camp with during summer.

Make sure that the tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will ensure comfort while inside the bathroom.

Remember, wet wood won’t burn right, so nature may not always provide the wood you need. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.

TIP! Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.

Make sure you know what the weather before going on your trip. There are dozens of websites that can tell you the weather forecast for the week. This will help you better prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.

Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can clean up when you get back home.

TIP! Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. Setting the proper regulations in advance can help to combat this.

A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great way to add excitement to your trip.Take mini-boxes of cereal, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. This adds a wonderful way to add fun to their camping trip.

Preparation can make your camping trip easy and relaxing. Only go camping once you are fully prepared. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.

TIP! Proper planning and preparation can keep you safe and make your camping experience more enjoyable. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared.

Try to fit swimming to your camping experience. You may miss the shower when you are camping.

Set up a “jungle breakfast” when you are camping with your kids. Bring small cereal boxes, juice drinks and fruit, and keep them tied up high in the trees. Your children can then hunt these foods when they wake up. It adds some fun to camping.

TIP! Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals.

These small luxuries can help to keep you happy and make your trip as pleasurable as possible.

Oranges can be used for insect repellent. After you’ve enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels. If the mosquitoes are swarming, rub the peels over your body to keep them at bay.

TIP! Oranges can be used for insect repellent. Save the orange peels and rub them into your exposed skin.

When you finish eating them, rub the peel on exposed skin to keep pesky bugs away.

Always become familiar with the potential dangers of a campsite before you enter it. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way.

TIP! When you decide to camp in an unfamiliar location, you should read up on any dangers that you could encounter. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions.

Your camp should always be set up before the sun goes down.If you have an RV, find a safe parking spot. When forming your tent, make sure that your tent is pitched on a flat area that isn’t near any unsafe ledges. Doing so before night comes around will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, don’t forget his leash. Some people fear dogs. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. Your dog might even damage someone else’s property if not properly supervised.

TIP! Keep a close eye on your dog while you are camping and always keep him on a leash. Some people fear dogs.

Duct tape can be used to solve many different situations. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, tent holes, worn soles on shoes, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, and so much more.

Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. Choosing a slanted or rocky site will make your stay quite uncomfortable. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.

TIP! When you find your camping spot, put the tent up on top of the patch of ground that is flattest and softest. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel.

There may be spiders or bears near you that could pose a threat to your safety. Every camping trip has its own dangers.

Make sure not to drain the batteries in your flashlight by accident. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.

TIP! Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It is easy to inadvertently turn the flashlight on when digging through your camping equipment.

While kids often have fun when camping, they need to have activities planned for them. They probably never fished or campfires. Teach them these acts before you set out to camp.

Make a list and check it twice before packing for your camping excursion. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance to get to your camp site. Prepare for your trip a couple days prior to leaving and use a check list to ensure you have everything as you pack.

TIP! Prior to going camping, be sure to create a list of what you’ll need. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground.

If you are a novice at camping, have your first trip close to where you live. You could have problems with your gear, or decide to cut the trip short. You may run out of food or need more clothing than you packed. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so you should camp near home your first time.

Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. You will need an adequate supply of clean clothes to last the entirety of your trip. It’s imperative that you have clothing on hand that is right for the weather in the location you will be camping in. Shoes that will hold up and have closed toes are what you should wear for the most part.

TIP! Plan your camping attire in advance of your trip. Be sure you have a lot of clean clothes that will last you your whole trip.

If you bring along a canine companion on your trip, do not just let him or her run free. Many folks are scared of pets – especially large dogs. You must show respect the needs of others when you camp. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.

If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. While it is a worst case scenario, a child can easily be separated from the rest of the party, and a picture will make it easier to locate them. Always keep one ready for emergency use, especially when a good distance from the home.

TIP! Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip.

While camping’s purpose is to survive off the fat of the land, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. While a sleeping bag is obvious, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. This can help you stay warm if it cools down at night or you may use them for extra blankets.

Bring trail mix and beef jerky. These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your trip.

TIP! It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying.

Write down a list of all the materials you need before embarking on your trip. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance and will be in more remote locations.

Always make sure that you have a sharp knife with you when you go camping. A utility knife is very convenient to carry while you are camping, so make sure to bring a spare in case one is lost.

TIP! Always make sure that you have a sharp knife with you when you go camping. A utility knife is one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment that no camper should be without.

Keep an eye on your children at all times. Cars constantly come and go at campsites, so young children may simply and quickly get lost inside the woods. It takes just a minute for something unexpected to happen.

Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. This is a great way to avoid a situation getting out of control.

TIP! Always bring a survival kit and a full first aid kit with you. This will help you take care of anything that happens so you do not need to cut your trip short.

Camping can make for a great experience or it can be a hellish trip. Preparation can mean the factor that determines how your trip turns out. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you will probably have a good time.

Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. Although modern tents are more durable than older ones, you still may tear your tent. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.

TIP! Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. Tents can get torn and they are hard to fix without having the right material.

One easy tip that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. It is really hard to put up a tent in the dark. You need either a fire or create a flashlight. It is easier if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.

If you are tenting, it is important that you seal any of the seams in your tent. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This will keep any critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.

TIP! When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. If your tent doesn’t have it, you may purchase a tube at a sporting goods store.

Waterproof Matches

Keep your tent dry and ventilated. If your tent is completed sealed, you will find that condensation will accumulate on the sides of the tent from breathing and perspiration. The moisture can drip on you, which can be a big problem during the winter. Tents usually have built-in vents, windows, or doors that can be cracked to prevent moisture buildup and create a cross-breeze.

TIP! Keep your tent free from moisture and well ventilated. With no ventilation, condensation can form in the tent.

Waterproof matches are an absolute essential part of any camping survival kit.Store these in airtight bag or container. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them with nail polish or paraffin. You can also make a caddy for matches by putting them in a 35mm film container or a small plastic medicine bottle made out of plastic.

Don’t forget the lint! While this seems silly, lint costs you nothing and makes a great starter for a campfire. The lint also produces flames which are brighter than flames produced from wood chips. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.

TIP! Empty the lint out of your dryer vent and bring it along on a camping trip. Many people use dryer lint as kindling to make a fire while camping.

Choose a sleeping bag for the season. For example, you’ll want a lightwweight bag to keep you cool in the summer. When it’s wintertime, you need to have a sleeping bag that will handle sub zero temperatures.

Know how to spot poisonous plants before beginning your camping trip. If you don’t know what they look like, poisonous plants may look exactly like regular plants. Look online or in a book. You can then be sure that you will not touch or eat any poisonous plants during your camping trip.

TIP! Be sure you know how to recognize dangerous plants before camping. You might mistake them for plants you see all of the time if you do not know what to look out for.

Armed with the proper information, you can now begin to plan your next adventure. Use the information you learned to become a master camper. Whether you go far away or settle for a nearby locale, you are sure to have an awesome adventure.

Carry a map of the trails around your camp site at all times. It is easier than you might think to make a single error and get seriously lost. With a map, it is far more likely that you will be able to recover and get yourself back to the campsite.

TIP! Always keep a trail map with you. You’ll need it in case you take a wrong turn and get lost.