You can’t deny the natural appeal of the outdoors. The best way to maximize any camping excursion is to arm yourself with knowledge of the most useful tips and tricks. If you spend some time reading the advice here, you can make your next camping trip a really enjoyable one.
Select your sleeping bag with the weather, season and location of your trip in mind. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all 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. You may even develop hypothermia.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Avoid being in that position; find good shelter before the sun goes down.
Be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date before leaving for your camping trip. When you travel to camp, you may need to have this updated or add an additional policy. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. When you know that going in, you won’t stress out when it happens. Then, you can be as messy as you want, without worry of getting dirty. You can get back to normal after returning home.
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you have accurate weather information, the right clothing and equipment can be included in your supplies.
It’s important that you make an effort to ensure that all camping gear you will need is packed before you leave to go camping. Forgetting something crucial like your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not something you want to happen. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
Camping Trip
Make a list of your required camping gear and double check it while packing. Overlooking even a small thing can ruin an entire trip. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
The difference between a fun camping trip and a dangerous one? Preparation. Without proper preparation, a camping trip can turn into a disaster. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To prevent this, put flashlight batteries in backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Review your health insurance policy. You may need another policy if you’re going to a different state. This can be especially important if you leave the country on your trip, such as camping across the border in Canada. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Make a list and check it twice before packing for your camping excursion. This is crucial when traveling to a campground. A couple of days before your trip, make a list of everything you need, checking things off as you pack them
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
Pesky mosquito bites can be avoided with an orange peel. Thus, if you forget the repellant, but remember the oranges, you’re still in luck! Experts have disclosed that simply rubbing the inner peel of a ripened orange on exposed skin can act as a repellant. Mosquitoes should be repelled from you for a few hours.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. If this is their first time, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn new skills.
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. Bring at least one photo of each child for any emergencies.
Make sure you pack enough of the right kinds of food for camping. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Prepare your food properly and research any precautions you need to take.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. By nightfall, you may be too exhausted to prepare a campfire and cook, and having the quick, nutritious foods will really come in handy. These kinds of foods do not spoil quickly, so you can always save them for a later time.
Stand ready for all possibilities when you camp. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. The weather can suddenly change, surrounding circumstances can change, injuries and illness can happen, etc. You need to pay attention to what you’re doing, avoid unnecessarily risky behavior, and think before you act whether you are in a crisis or a normal camping situation.
Camping is one of those things that can be fun, or not so fun. Preparation makes all the difference. If you are properly prepared for many different situations, then you will be more likely to enjoy your trip.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. Although modern tents are more durable than older ones, you still may tear your tent. Duct tape can seal up your tent and keep you dry, especially when the weather is not cooperating with you like you thought it would.
A tasty orange provides a peel that can help repel nasty mosquitoes. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Rubbing your exposed skin with the inside of the orange peel is something recommended by many camping experts. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
When you put up your tent, seal the tent seams the best you can. If sealant was not included in your tent, visit your local sporting goods store to purchase some. This will stop critters and rainwater from entering your tent.
Try to arrange all of your clothing in advance before you go on a camping trip. Take extra pairs of clothes to last you throughout your whole trip. Be sure to also carry clothing that is weather and climate appropriate on your trip. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential footwear for any camping trip.
Clean up your campsite before going home. Pack your own garbage bags to make cleaning easy. Get rid of things like trash and leftover food. A good rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
If you’re taking along the kids, pack current pictures of them. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. Always keep one ready for emergency use, especially when a good distance from the home.
Due the fact that food was not packed properly, there are many individuals that get food poisoning while they are camping. Food poisoning can happen when food is spoiled, which is something you risk when you take food not properly preserved, vacuum sealed or canned. Bring a lot of ice, and don’t forget to drain your cooler.
Always make sure that you have a sharp knife with you when you go camping. Utility knives have many uses in a campers tool kit. It may even be a good idea to bring an extra in case your first one gets lost.
As crazy as it might sound, do not forget to pack some toilet paper. If there are no restrooms in your camp area, you must go in the woods. It is best not to use something from nature to clean yourself, so toilet paper will come in handy.
Cell Phone
Make sure to plan fun things to do from your trip’s start to its finish. There is more to camping than roasting marshmallows over a campfire. Think about enjoyable activities for all family members. Think of both your younger and older kids when choosing activities.
It’s a great idea to go to your main camp when you have a cell phone that you’ve fully charged. You might want to bring an extra battery as well just in case your original runs low. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
Take toilet paper or even baby wipes along when you go camping. You could always rough it by using leaves and other natural items, but it’s unnecessary when you can have baby wipes and toilet paper easily accessible at a local store.
Pack strategically. A checklist of all supplies can help you be sure that you have everything you need as you are packing. This is very helpful if you’ll be far from civilization.
Remember to pack plenty of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important when camping. Find a sunscreen that will provide enough protection. Sunscreen with bug repellent is an excellent choice for camping trips. That way, you can avoid applying any more products than necessary on your trip.
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
If your campsite is located near a stream, ensure you do not contaminate the water by relieving yourself near the water’s edge. Therefore, the water will flow away from your camping site. Also, venture at least one-hundred yards from your site to alleviate.
Always make sure that your sleeping bag is light enough or heavy enough for the season you will be using it in. For instance, you’ll want a lightwweight bag to keep you cool in the summer. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
There are ways to keep the snakes out of your camping site for safety. Steer clear of heavy brush, deep bushes, woodpiles and rock accumulations. Look through all your gear so you’re sure there aren’t any snakes in it, like your clothes or boots. Seal off everything before you leave for any walks, that way you don’t get a surprise when you come back.
Camping can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience for those that know what they are doing. Research is necessary in order to really plan correctly. Use the advice in the above article, and you’ll be a pro camper in no time.
Make sure you know which plants are poisonous. Toxic plants seem like other plants unless you know their distinct look. You can use books at your library or the Internet to find the information you need. This information will allow you to avoid these hazardous plants.
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