There aren’t many other things that equal the excitement of camping. Being in nature and having the opportunity to spend extended periods of time outdoors is incredible. If camping is something you have been wanting to try, make use of the tips that follow in order to get started.
Be sure to know the recent conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry.
Pack a survival kit and carry it on you at all times. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Never let it leave your side.
Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. It is also best to know what exists in the area you will be in so that you can prepare for that as well.
Before you plan to camp in an new area, it is important to be aware of any dangers commonly found there. This would include stuff like what spiders dwell there, how steep the terrain is, and if the area is prone to flooding. Every camping spot has a few dangers to be aware of.
When taking a dog along, be certain they have a leash and are always supervised. Other campers might be fearful of your dog, no matter how friendly he might be. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.
Check out what the weather is going to be like before you leave for your destination. Some websites will tell you what the weather is usually like during the time you’ll be going. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Take some things to do on your camping trip. Card games are a fun way to pass the time if the weather does not cooperate. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
While the concept of camping involves getting away from it all, you still need to be prepared with some basic items. Packing a sleeping bag is pretty obvious, but take the extra precaution of including extra blankets too. This can help you stay warm if it cools down at night or you may use them for extra padding.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. Your kit’s contents will change depending upon the season and location of your trip, but you should always bring the basics. Having extras like anti-venom is a good defense for certain kinds of wildlife.
Find a soft and flat spot to pitch your tent when you are camping in the wilderness. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. Make sure to put a tarp down so that water cannot penetrate your tent.
Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Pack a day or two before going camping, and check off things on your list as you go along.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. When adventuring in an RV, be safely parked before dark. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
Watch your kids closely. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It can happen in an instant, so make sure they are always supervised.
Duct Tape
Make sure that you understand the dangers and risks of the camping site that you choose. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Every camping area has its dangers.
Duct tape is handy to bring along on your camping trip. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
Once you are finished camping, be sure your campsite is left clean. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Dispose of any left over food as well as your trash. The only thing that should be left behind are your footprints.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
It might silly, but remember to take toilet paper along when you go camping. You may be camping in an area that doesn’t offer toilets, so you will need to find other places to go to the bathroom. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Always bring ample food, and make sure you bring the right types. Depending on how long you’re planning to be camping, it’s important to have things that won’t go bad during the trip. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.
Choose a sleeping bag that is made for the time of year you will be camping. During summer, lighter bags are the rule, allowing you to maintain your cool. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. While this might be convenient, you’ll soon find out differently. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
It is important to be prepared while camping. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. This helps to warm you up in case it gets too cold at night. They are also good to use for extra padding.
Follow safety procedures. That means avoid camping near areas that have large animals. Even squirrels and tiny animals may pose a threat to you and your family. Everyone should know, but some are unaware, that you should never feed any bears or other wildlife when camping.
Plan plenty of activities to keep yourself busy while camping. Campfires and making smores aren’t all there is to do when you’re going camping. Try to be creative and do some activities that every family member can have fun with. You may want to do different activities for different age groups to ensure that everyone has fun.
Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. Lists help people know what they need before they go. Some things you should bring include your tent, sleeping bag, tarp, lots of water, a utility knife, already-made food, soap or hand sanitizer and items to start a fire.
Not many activities match the thrill of camping. Camping brings wonderful experiences, like beautiful scenery and the amazing sense of nature around you. When you apply what you’ve learned here, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing trip wherever you decide to camp.
