Have you been pondering the idea of a camping trip? No matter if you wish to go for an entire week or just a quick overnight, planning is essential. The tips below are great for maximizing any camping journey.
Look for where you’re going to set up your shelter before darkness falls. 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. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.
Remember that your loved ones and possessions will get filthy. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. You don’t want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer. Conversely, if you bring a light-weight sleeping bag to a winter camping trip, you can be extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Make your kids a “jungle breakfast”. Tie to the trees small boxes of cereal, fruit, and juice boxes. Let the kids go out hunt for their breakfast. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
It is important to keep in mind the fact that your person and all of your possessions will get dirty during a camping trip. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Just have fun. Relax, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. You can always clean up, and be “normal” when you return home.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Collect some lint from your clothes dryer to bring with you. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Always pack and carry a survival kit. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. This survival kit may be what keeps you alive if you get lost and the items in it are indispensable in a survival situation. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. You can use to help seal leaks and rips and hold together important things that break. It can hold your shoes together if they fall apart, and you can even use it in case of emergencies for a temporary bandage or sling.
A small luxury can help brighten up any camping trip. Bring along something lightweight and easy to carry, like a little bit of cream for your coffee or a candy bar. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
It is important to take even greater care storing food if you are planning to travel to an area with active and dangerous wildlife. All of your foods should be tightly wrapped and not place near your tent. Some foods shouldn’t be brought at all. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Oranges will not only fill you up, but they’ll keep mosquitoes away. Once you finish your orange, save the peel. Rub it easily on all your exposed skin for a chemical-free bug repellent.
While camping’s purpose is to survive off the fat of the land, it is still important to prepare yourself. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. You may encounter people with a fear of dogs. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Also, dogs have the potential to wreck your campsite, or that of someone else, if they are allowed to run loose.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. If you forget a few things, your trip may just get ruined. It’s very helpful to write out a list and cross each item off once you have packed it. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. You may accidentally turn on a flashlight while you’re looking through what you have packed for your trip. Keep your flashlight in a secure place to avoid accidentally turning them on. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
Is this your first tent? If you are not sure how to put your tent up, practice before going on your camping trip. Doing so will ensure you know what tools you may need. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
Make a list of essential items to take on your camping trip before you leave. This is an important step if you are traveling a distance to get to your camp site. Start getting things together a couple of days before you plan to leave, and check things off the list as you pack them.
Look for the softest and flattest ground you can possibly find for your tent. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. You have to be sure you don’t set up next to stinging insects or anything unsafe. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. Don’t forget to bring along the bug spray.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. You can safeguard the power by slipping the batteries in backwards in the flashlight cylinder. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Camping can be a great get away, or a living nightmare. The difference between these two comes down to one thing – preparation. If you know how to prepare for everything that may pop up, you’ll be able to better enjoy your trip.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. For trips that take a while to arrive at the destination, this is crucial. Use your list to guide your packing and make sure to start packing a few days before the start of your trip.
Pack strategically. Write down everything you will need, and cross them off as they are packed. This is especially crucial if your trip will be taking you to a remote location where replacement supplies will be hard to come by.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. A ready supply of clean clothing should included in your inventory. Pack clothes that will allow you to dress properly for whatever weather is expected in the area where you will be camping. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
Your survival kit should include waterproof matches. They should always be kept in a container where air cannot enter. You could also make your own by coating them with nail polish before you leave for your trip. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
When camping with kids, have a photo of them at hand. If you lose a child at any point, having a picture to show rescuers or search parties could be very useful. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.
Pack your food properly to avoid food poisoning. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Many people forget to set up shelter before night falls. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. You will need to make a fire or have flashlight to do this. This should be done when the sun is present so that you can use natural light.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If you don’t happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. Leaves can be dangerous alternatives to toilet paper, so don’t forget it.
Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. Also, this will help to avoid tragedy with friends or family.
Make sure that your camping trip schedule is full of fun activities. There are many things to do other than roasting marshmallows and sitting by the campfire. Have some creativity and plan ahead for things that every member of your family finds entertaining. Always keep in mind the different age groups that you might have traveling with you.
If you are tenting, it is important that you seal any of the seams in your tent. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.
Always bring along your first aid kit. The kit should contain anything that you will need in case of an accident. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Of course, you need to pay attention to your safety and try to avoid accidents. However, you need your kit to prepare you for when accidents do happen.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. In the summer months, you need a lightweight option. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
You are now armed with the information you need to plan a successful trip. You might have noticed that several preparations for a trip that lasts a week should also be implemented for trips that last a single night. Use the great tips in the article above as your guide to a camping trip to remember.
How will you prepare your food at the campsite? You will have to decide whether you will grill, fry or even bake your food so you know what supplies to bring. Open-flame cooking is great fun, but you need to be prepared with the right equipment to take advantage of this.
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