You may be familiar with camping from doing it as a child, but it is not something reserved for just children. If you have both passion and knowledge, you can create an enjoyable, memorable camping experience. These tips will make your next camping trip a memorable one.
You will get dirty. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Enjoy your time and don’t afraid to be messy. When you’re home, you can be normal again.
Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. If you’re camping in the heat of summer, a sub-zero bag just isn’t comfortable or appropriate. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won’t keep you warm in the winter. You may even risk hypothermia.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. That makes it easier for everyone to have a comfy time while they’re asleep and moving around when they have to get up in the dead of night.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Have fun and go with the moment rather than stressing and worrying about it. You can clean up when you get back home.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Make sure you do the proper research. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
The difference between a fun camping trip and a dangerous one? Preparation. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. Research the area you are planning on camping at.
A bandana or handkerchief can be a great addition to your camping equipment. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter. This is an essential item that does not cost a lot of money and can provide a lot of benefits.
Pack a bandanna or handkerchief. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. Seek out flat, dry ground if you are roughing it with a tent. It is much easier to do these things during the day, and you can become familiar with the area. It will also save some time and frustration since you will be able to see better.
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 collecting it in advance of your trip. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
When you go camping for the first few times, be sure that your camp is close to where you live. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. First-time camping is a learning experience and anything can happen, so find a campground near your home.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. Knowing the area around your campsite before it gets dark adds to your camping safety. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. You can close up rips and tears, and bundle things together. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. You can use duct tape for almost anything.
Kids like camping, but they need structured activities. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. Get them used to it prior to leaving on the trip.
Make a list of your required camping gear and double check it while packing. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Your list should include a sleeping bag, tent, tarp, water, food, knife, soap, fire-starting items and more.
Bring adequate amounts of food. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. Getting food poisoning can bring an abrupt end to a camping trip. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. There are times when it is important to be able to see clearly in the dark. Light can also help to illuminate the wildlife that is around you. When you go camping and your kids come along, it is smart to let them each have their own flashlight.
If you camp in an area known to have dangerous wildlife, be sure to incorporate extra precautions to stow away food securely. These precautions include tightly wrapping your foods and storing them away from your tent. You also have to just forgo certain foods entirely. Making sure to do this, will lessen any chance of a wild animal attack.
Take some time to find the right sleeping bag for the climate conditions at your campsite. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.
When you go camping, you live on basics, but you need to be prepared too. While a sleeping bag is obvious, it is still a good idea to bring 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.
Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. Accidents and mishaps occur in a split second; make certain your children are safely supervised at all times.
Prior to your camping trip, create a list of all the equipment and personal items you need to take. A list will help you to not forget to bring any essentials. Pack in advance to avoid the stresses of packing before your trip.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. Make sure that everyone wears long sleeved clothing if you camp near abundant vegetation, to minimize poison and insect issues. Insect repellent is a life saver.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. When you reach the end of a long day, it may not sound appealing to cook, so it helps to have these things to eat when you’re too tired. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
Think carefully when you pack. Create a checklist of what you’re going to be bringing along and check things off while you’re packing them. This tip is always important, but especially so if your camping trip will take you to a remote area that does not provide access to food, shelter or emergency supplies.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. Your skill using a compass and a map can be a lifesaver one day.
Clean your campsite when you finish camping. Be sure to bring plenty of garbage bags to put your trash in when you cleanup. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
Any survival kit you assemble for camping needs to include waterproof matches. Even though they are water proof, you still want to have them sealed off from liquid. Make some average matches waterproof by simply dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. Make a match holder out of a plastic medicine bottle or a 35mm film container.
Keep dry, fresh, and well-ventilated inside the confines of your tent. If your tent is sealed tightly, it will create condensation on not only the tent, but also on items in the tent. This can cause you to wake up wet. Most tents have some sort of venting system. Use it to help prevent uncomfortable moisture build up.
Clean out your campsite before you leave to go back home. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Take any leftover food with you. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
First aid kits are critical to any camping trip. The first aid kit should be well stocked in case an accident does occur. High quality bandages, emergency supplies in case of a snake bite, dressings for a wound, aspirin and anticeptic should all be included in your kit. Accidents can and do happen on many camping trips, so always travel prepared.
If you used to go camping when you were little, you can go as an adult, but now it is your turn to make the plans. The article below will not only spark your imagination, but it will also provide you with the tips you need to go on the camping trip of your dreams.
Bring pocket or dryer lint when you camp. Lint is quite an effective fire starter. Lint fosters brighter flames than wood. Just a spark on the lint will do the trick!
About The Author
