As we watch more and more outdoor-themed TV shows, it is no surprise that many more families are heading out camping these days. If you think it’s time to take an adventure of your own, learn a few tricks to make your experience into a great one.
Camping is a great time but it can be dangerous if you’re not able to properly prepare. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. You must make sure you are completely prepared before you go camping. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. The morning of your departure, all you need to do is grab the bag and depart, kindling sorted!
Read up on your medical insurance. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you will be camping in another state. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Make sure that you that you are prepared, just in case!
If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. The contents of the kit may change depending on where you camp and who you are with, but it should contain basic supplies. You may want to pack bear repellent or antivenom.
Take oranges with you as a way to snack in a healthy, convenient way–and as a mosquito repellent that is organic. When you finish eating them, save all of your peels and rub them around your body to use as a natural insect repellent.
Be sure to bring a supply of oranges with you on your trip; they are both healthy and keep mosquitoes away. Use the peels to rub your body down. It is a low-cost, chemical-free way to keep bugs away.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
Be certain you have everything you will need before embarking on your adventure. You definitely don’t want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. Make sure you check for the items you need, and create a list before leaving to be certain you have everything you want.
Camping Pillows
Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.
As you plan your camping adventure, take children aside and go over common dangers and issues they may encounter. Go on the Internet together and read about safety, look at poison ivy pictures and poisonous animals.
Generally when you camp, you want to live with as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. You’ll need a sleeping bag, as well as extra blankets. They can be very handy when the evening temperatures drop. If not needed for warmth, they can be extra padding from the solid ground beneath.
If you’re going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you’re very careful about your food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. This can reduce the chances of wildlife coming near you on your trip.
It is imperative that you are properly packed for your camping trip. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. Write a list in advance of what you are going to need, and then you can check each item off when it is packed. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
Are you a camping novice? Before you head into the wilderness, take some time to learn about your tent and pitch it. This will allow you take an inventory of all the necessary equipment needed to set up the tent. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
When out in the wilds camping, it is smart to be prepared for just about anything. Anything can happen while camping so it is crucial to be prepared. There can be changes in the weather or circumstances, and illness and injury can also occur. The more time you spend preparing for the unforeseen, the better off you will be when it comes to dealing with an emergency later on.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving your car or campsite. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Always lay down some tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.
You must always pack a survival kit and first aid kit. Together, these items can be the difference between going home early and rapidly addressing problems that arise. Being prepared also keeps minor emergencies from becoming major emergencies.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. It is extremely difficult to pitch a tent whenever 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 much simpler to set up your campsite before sunset.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.
Know how to use a compass and map before you head into the woods. Even if you’ve been to your campsite before, getting lost one time can still happen since many areas will looks the same. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. These kits can assure you have everything you need in any unexpected situation. This allows you to help someone should they become injured.
Any survival kit you assemble for camping needs to include waterproof matches. Store them in airtight containers. You could also make your own by coating them with nail polish before you leave for your trip. Make a match holder out of a plastic medicine bottle or a 35mm film container.
Do your packing deliberately and intelligently. Have a checklist on hand and cross your items off the list as you add them to your pack. If you are planning to camp in an area away from first aid access, then this will be especially necessary.
When pitching your tent, always make sure you seal the seams. If tent sealer was not provided with the tent, you can purchase some at a sporting goods store. This will prevent rainwater or critters from getting into your tent.
Keep the tent well ventilated and dry. Condensation from breathing and perspiration can build up in a sealed tent, causing moisture to permeate the walls, roof, floor, and even sleeping bags. You may even wake up wet. Tents sometimes have vents that are built in or windows that can be opened to prevent the build up of moisture.
So many people suffer from food poisoning because food is not stored and prepared correctly. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
You should now understand that some forethought needs to come into play for camping. However, you are now likely well prepared to deal with the simple situations that pop up. You can have more fun since you know what you are getting yourself into.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. They think they are doing themselves a favor, but they aren’t. Bathrooms are a light source but are also high-traffic areas. Because of that, they aren’t really as convenient as one might think.
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