Camping ranks among the most enjoyable pastimes around. If you have never gone camping, you are certainly missing out on a great experience, so give it a try when you can. Camping, however, does take a lot of preparation and a lot of know-how, too. Continue reading to learn some important advice to keep in mind for camping.
Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. This kit can save your life if you get into a dangerous situation. Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy the freedom, let your hair down, and get a little dirtier than usual. You can clean up when you get back home.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
If you are going to tough it out, you can still bring along a little bit of luxury item to add comfort to your camping trip. Bring along something lightweight and easy to carry, like a little bit of cream for your coffee or a candy bar. You can really feel good on your trip when you bring these food items.
Make sure that the tent you take camping has enough space for everyone you are taking along. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
Make sure to bring duct tape on your camping trip to fix almost any problem. It has several uses like fixing a hole in a tent and holding moisture.
If you bring a dog camping with you, be sure to keep an eye on them and be sure they’re on a leash. Many folks are scared of dogs. Respect is important when camping. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.
If you are taking kids camping, have them eat a “jungle breakfast.” Tie to the trees small boxes of cereal, fruit, and juice boxes. Let younger children wake up and hunt for their breakfast. This is a wonderful way to add fun to their camping enjoyment.
Bring along some fun activities on the trip. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. That will reduce the chance of a critter attack.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. By doing this, you’ll have all the kindling you need.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Forgetting a few simple items could be disastrous for your trip. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. 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.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. To make sure your batteries don’t get drained, put the batteries in backwards. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
While kids often have fun when camping, make sure to make plans to keep them entertained. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. Teach them how to perform these acts before you set out to camp.
Camping Trip
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. You will surely find it necessary to illuminate things once night falls. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If your children are along on your camping trip, give them each their own flashlight.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. You may encounter people with a fear of dogs. Respecting your fellow campers is essential when camping. Your dog might even damage someone else’s property if not properly supervised.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
While camping, do everything you can to be safe and cautious. Stay away from larger animals, and be cautious even around smaller ones. Squirrels, raccoons and the like can be quite dangerous, even though they are small. This should not have to be said, but never feed any bears you see.
Living off the land is part of camping, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go prepared. Packing a sleeping bag is pretty obvious, but take the extra precaution of including extra blankets too. Blankets make good padding and can help you stay warm if it’s colder than you expect at night.
Proper camping is all about preparation and the right knowledge. Be sure to use these tips before your next trip. The tips above, and many more, can only increase your safety, fun, and knowledge gained during a relaxing camping trip.