The draw that nature has for many folks is undeniable. Going camping prepared is always the best bet though, and having some tips and tricks up your sleeve never hurts. The next time you go camping, make sure you utilize all of these tips to your benefit.
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. 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 other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Don’t assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. If you’re prepared beforehand then you won’t be so stressed out when things start to get dirtier. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Take the tent into your yard and set it up before you go on your camping trip. This will prevent you from having a tent with missing pieces and then you can set it up properly. This also makes setting up your tent at the campsite a much smoother process.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping can be dirty! Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. This means that by day’s end your children and their clothes can be quite soiled. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. It’s best to be prepared.
If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. 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.
Don’t worry about over-packing for your kids. Camping can be dirty. Children seem to be dirt magnets. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. It is important to be prepared.
Camping has the potential to be thrilling or hazardous, depending on your level of 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.
Be sure your tent is big enough. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Tie juice boxes, tiny boxes of cereal and fruit to trees in the woods. Make your children “hunt” them in the wild; like a great outdoorsman. This is a fun game for the kids and makes their camping experience more interesting.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you’re traveling with kids. You will be prepared for any accidents that may occur and can survive until you reach professional medical care. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Find out what poisonous snakes or dangerous animals live in the area.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. If you’re driving an RV, find a safe parking spot. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. It is also easier for you to see what is happening, so you won’t feel so frustrated.
Understand your medical coverage. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This can be especially important if you leave the country on your trip, such as camping across the border in Canada. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Do not forget to pack duct tape for your camping trip so that it can solve neraly any problem! It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Tie to the trees small boxes of cereal, fruit, and juice boxes. When the children awake, tell them that they have to “hunt” to get breakfast. This adds a little sprinkle of adventure and excitement to any camping trip.
Before you plan to camp in an new area, it is important to be aware of any dangers commonly found there. That include deadly spiders, sheer drops, and flash flood areas. Each area can pose different dangers, so familiarize yourself whenever you venture somewhere new.
Dryer lint is a great item to bring if you are trying to start a campfire. Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Place the lint you normally throw in the trash in a plastic bag to take with you. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. This is so you can easily get home if you don’t enjoy your camping experience. Maybe you will find out that there isn’t enough food or clean clothes to continue. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. That helps you if the night gets really cold, and you are able to use them as padding, as well.
Take some things to entertain yourself while in the wild. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. Children often complain that they’re bored wherever they go, so bring along as many items as you can think of to keep them entertained.
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping on a slope or a spot with a rocky surface. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.
An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. Don’t worry if you forgot your bug spray. Seasoned campers suggest that you can rub your skin with the inside of an ripe orange peel. This should give you the protection that you need while out in the wilderness.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It’s easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. This picture could be used to help find them if they were to get separated from the group and lost. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Sleeping Bag
One easy tip to keep in mind is that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. It’s hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. It will be necessary to build a fire or at least have a flashlight. Doing it during sunlight hours makes it easier and more prepared for the dark.
Choose a proper sleeping bag for your camping conditions. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. The main goal with your sleeping bag is to conserve body heat, which means having a snug bag that hugs the body.
Duct tape is handy to bring along on your camping trip. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. Your tent can easily be repaired with some duct tape, which will keep you nice and dry in your damaged tent.
Camping is something that can relax you, or you may find yourself enduring a trip that isn’t so great. It all depends on the time you take to properly prepare for your trip. When you try to consider all the issues that may arise, you can enjoy your trip with piece of mind.
When preparing a survival kit for a camping trip, you should bring along waterproof matches. These need to be kept in a container that’s airtight. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. Regular matches can be made waterproof when you dip matches in nail polish or paraffin. You can also make a caddy for them out of a 35mm film container or a medicine bottle made out of plastic.
Be careful and wise when you are packing. Create a checklist of what you’re going to be bringing along and check things off while you’re packing them. This is especially crucial if your trip will be taking you to a remote location where replacement supplies will be hard to come by.
Follow safety procedures. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. Even though they are small, any animal can be dangerous, even a squirrel. Everyone should know, but some are unaware, that you should never feed any bears or other wildlife when camping.
If you know what you’re doing, you can have a lot of fun camping. Use the helpful information found in the article above to make your trip a camping success. Use the tips provided here on your next great camping escape.
If you are planning a long camping trip, bring along plenty of entertainment. Of course, if you bring too many electronics, you may defeat the purpose of the trip, but there is nothing better than sitting beside a lake reading, or listening to music beside a camp fire at night.
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