Camping provides a truly fun time for the whole family! You can connect with the natural world and also connect with yourself in a way that is not possible in the every day world. Hiking is a great way to unwind, and at the end of your journey, a campfire can be incredibly relaxing. Whenever you camp, you have numerous things you can do. The below article provides some tips on how to maximize your camping fun.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once the sky becomes dark, finding a good spot for your tent, necessary firewood and food preparation become near impossible. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
When you purchase a new tent for camping, take it home and completely set the tent up before going on a camping trip. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.
Sleeping Bag
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. Remember to carry it with you and do not leave it in your camp.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. If you bring sub-zero sleeping bags with you in the dead of summer, you will probably sweat all night. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You may even develop hypothermia.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
When camping, there is a good chance that your items will get dirty. If you are prepared for that before you go, it will cause less stress when it happens. Just have fun. Relax, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
The way you prepare will determine whether your camping trip will be fun or if it will be dangerous. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you go someplace new, research wildlife and research the weather and geography.
A cute way to add fun to meals is to make what is known as a “jungle meal”. Take mini-boxes of cereal, juice boxes and fruit out into the woods, and tie them to the trees. When the kids awake, you can tell them to “hunt” for breakfast. This can add some magic to their camping trip.
Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for mosquito repellant. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. If you have an RV, find a secure place to park. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing this before night comes around will let you become accustomed to your surroundings. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
Buy special camping pillows instead of using your standard ones. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. Fishing poles, card games and even a scavenger hunt list will make great entertainment in the woods. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. Children may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. If they have not spent much time outdoors, show them the basics before you leave.
If you are camping deep in the woods, take extra care with your food. Wrap your food up tight and keep it far away from seeing areas. This will reduce your chances of being attacked.
When going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. It is simple to show them which plants they should stay away from prior to your trip.
Do you know how to pitch a tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
If you are a camping novice, you should initially stay near home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Perhaps you realize that you’ve run out of food or haven’t packed enough clothing. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. You can prevent accidents, such as falling or coming face-to-face with wild animals, if you have enough light available. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Overlooking even a small thing can ruin an entire trip. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Some must have items include a tent, sleeping bags, a couple of tarps, food and water, a knife and fire starting supplies.
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. If the weather is warm, you want a lightweight bag. If frigid temperatures will be present, choose a sub-zero rated bag. If you plan to pitch a tent, make sure your sleeping bag stays snug against your body, as this prevents your body heat from escaping.
Surprisingly, orange peels make a great mosquito repellent on outdoor adventures. Don’t worry if you forget the bug spray. Rubbing your exposed skin with the inside of the orange peel is something recommended by many camping experts. This can help for many hours.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. The container should be airtight. You can convert standard matches into waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. Easy-to-find 35mm film canisters and plastic medicine bottles make handy cases for matches.
Select your campsite carefully. You should avoid pitching your tent near breeding areas for insects or nests of wasps, bees and hornets. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. Insect repellent is a life saver.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If there are no restrooms in your area, you will need to go out in nature. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.
Trail mix and jerky are great snacks for a camping trip. 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. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
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. The bathroom areas are light sources and draw a great deal of traffic. Therefore, camping is not as comfortable and convenient as expected.
Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. A cell is the most important tool you have in an emergency, so be sure it works.
Cooked Foods
Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. 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!
Keep food safe when you’re out in the wild camping. Use bags that are airtight and your containers should be waterproofed. Store your food in an insulated cooler. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Always wash your hands, cutting boards and preparation surfaces to optimize safety and keep yourself from getting food poisoning. Make sure cooked foods reach the correct temperature and make sure perishable foods are kept chilled.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. This should have all the necessary materials in case someone has an accident. The best way to ensure that you are prepared is to bring along both a first aid kit and a snake bite kit to ensure that you are prepared for any injury. Safety is essential while camping, but because accidents do occur, you should be ready to tackle them.
It should be easier to have a good camping trip now that there are a few ideas in your head. Take the time to remember them on your next camping trip. This information can ensure you won’t forget things and have the experience of a lifetime.
If you are camping for several days or weeks, bring along some form of entertainment. Don’t bring a ton of electronics, but a book or music is great.
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