The joys of camping! This is time well spent with nature and discovery for those seeking solitude. Camping is an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors, however, there are lots of things to keep in mind. Make the most of your tip by planning ahead with the help of these great tips.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. On the other hand, you don’t want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you’re going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
Go to a class to learn about first aid. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Be sure to research beforehand. Know if there are any poisonous snakes in the area, what type of wild animals call those woods their home, etc.
Make sure you know what’s covered in your medical insurance. Traveling to a different area may necessitate that you purchase another policy. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. If you are prepared for that before you go, it will cause less stress when it happens. Enjoy your time and don’t afraid to be messy. You can get cleaned up when you return home.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. These small treats for yourself can really boost morale.
Your camp should always be set up before the sun sets. If you’re driving an RV, find a safe parking spot. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. You will have an easier time seeing the task a hand, preventing frustration from setting in.
A camping trip provides fun experiences or dangerous experiences. Which you will experience depends on your level of preparation. That is why it’s important to prepare in advance and prepare well. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Camping Pillows
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Camping pillows, on the other hand, possess a protective coating that prevents that from happening.
Pack a first aid kit. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. You definitely don’t want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
When you are planning a camping trip with children, take some time before you go to talk with them about common camping dangers. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
When out in the wilds camping, it is smart to be prepared for just about anything. It’s important to plan for anything, but the unexpected could still happen. There can be changes in the weather or circumstances, and illness and injury can also occur. To stay safe, plan ahead, do not take any risks and do not be careless.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. Doing this will prevent batteries from being wasted so that you can be confident they will be ready when the time comes to use them.
When you decide to camp in an unfamiliar location, you should read up on any dangers that you could encounter. This could be anything from wildlife to insects to poisonous plant life that could be a danger to you. Every location has its own dangers.
Camping Trip
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. If you have a flashlight or lamp you can avoid injury, such as getting poked in the eye by a branch. If you have children with you on your camping trip, a smart thing to do is to give each of them a flashlight.
Be sure to pack a sufficient amount of the proper foods. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Your camping trip will be ruined if you get food poisoning. Properly prepare food and take any necessary precautions.
A simple camping tip everyone should know is to build shelter during daylight. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. You’d have to do it with the light from a fire or from a flashlight, both of which could be difficult. It is easier if you do it while it is still daylight.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. Using a map or compass can actually save your life if you’re lost. Learn to use them so that you don’t suffer a tragic fate.
Anytime you are camping in a location that features hazardous animals, you must take extra care in terms of food storage. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. Doing this means you cut down on your possibilities of an animal attack.
Instead of buying an expensive tarp, you can use a shower curtain you planned to discard. You can use it for a variety of other purposes as well. Instead of throwing away your old shower curtain, wash it and use it when you go camping.
An essential element of your camping gear is a first aid kit. This should have all the necessary materials in case someone has an accident. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Just because you are camping does not mean you are exempt from having an accident, so always be aware.
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Just as it has myriad uses around the house, you can use it for a variety of needs in the woods, too. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. If someone’s shoe falls apart while out and about, it can hold shoes together quite nicely. Applied to the foot itself can prevent blisters. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Camping is activity that is a perennial favorite for a fun packed vacation experience, but to make it a happy a safe adventure, a little bit of planning can go a long way. With any luck, the piece above has given you the tools necessary to create a wonderful camping adventure.
