Many people look to camping to enjoy a good weekend outdoors, it is no wonder why. If you want to make your next camping trip an experience to remember, you need to get informed. By familiarizing yourself with the following advice, you can make your next camping trip the best one ever.
Pitch Black
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.
Find where you will camp before sunset. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. The Internet is a great resource for finding weather related information for the area you will be camping in. When you know what to expect, you will have the right clothes packed.
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Bring things like a bandanna and handkerchief along with you. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows are coated to prevent this from happening, keeping you dry and comfortable.
While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
If you are a camping novice, you should initially stay near home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Camping can be dirty! Kids simply love to get dirty. So, you are likely to be dealing with grimy kids all day long. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. Don’t be caught without something you need!
Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Properly prepare food and take any necessary precautions.
Duct Tape
Make sure your tent is of ample size. This will allow you to sleep more comfortably and get up easier during the night when you need to use the bathroom.
The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. It can even be used to bandage injuries.
Have you just bought your first tent and want to begin camping? Before you head off on that initial camping trip, practice pitching your tent. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. That way, you can get things done rapidly once you get to the campsite.
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Camping Trip
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. Not planning properly can ruin a whole trip. You might want to create a checklist of things you need to bring. Make sure that you bring a lot of water, knives, soaps and food on your camping trip for safety.
For an exciting twist on the morning meal while camping with your kids, get up early and prepare a “jungle breakfast”. Take little juice boxes, mini cereal boxes, and fruit into the woods and be sure to tie them to a nearby tree. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This adds a little sprinkle of adventure and excitement to any camping trip.
Always keep an eye on your children, no matter where they are. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. Make sure your children are always supervised because mishaps can happen quickly.
Utility Knife
Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. It does not take much space in your bag and can save the day in many different situations.
A wonderful tip for camping is to take extra utility knives. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Do not leave any left over food behind. When you leave your campsite, the only thing you should leave are your footprints.
Dryer lint can be used as kindling for starting your campfire. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer’s filter. Simply use a plastic grocery sack to collect each new crop of lint. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Due the fact that food was not packed properly, there are many individuals that get food poisoning while they are camping. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Make sure food and drinks stay at a safe temperature by using enough ice. Most coolers have a plug that you can open, this drains the excess water, so your food won’t get wet.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. Rather than using leaves as a substitute, just bring your own toilet paper.
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. This can be something simple like fresh coffee or a favorite candy. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Make food safety a priority when you set off camping. Pack foods in airtight bags and containers that are waterproof. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Do not store cooked and raw foods together to avoid contamination. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before you prepare your food. Always cook and store foods at the proper temperatures.
Camping can be a very nice experience, if you go prepared. Camping, however, does take a good deal of planning and knowledge to ensure that you have a good time. Use the advice in the above article, and you’ll be a pro camper in no time.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Your neighboring campers may be afraid of dogs. You should be respectful of other campers while at the site. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.