When you go camping, you have no kitchen, air conditioning or heating. You must plan out your trip completely and be prepared for anything. Keep reading for the things you need to know to make your camping trip the best trip ever.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. That is particularly true if you aren’t used to the blackness of the wilderness. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.
Anytime you buy a tent, be sure to practice setting it up and taking it down in your backyard prior to actually camping. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. This can eliminate the aggravation felt when setting up your tent.
Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. 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.
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.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Think about where it is you want to go. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! You could even pick three or four possible destinations and allow a family vote from there.
Camping has the potential to be thrilling or hazardous, depending on your level of preparation. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Camping can be dirty. Kids love to play in the dirt and will bring it back to your tent. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. You can not really prevent it from happening, but you can pack extra clothes. Be ready for anything.
Always bring along a well-stocked emergency kit when you head out on a camping trip. The contents of the kit may change depending on where you camp and who you are with, but it should contain basic supplies. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Ensure the tent is an adequate size for anyone that might be with you. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.
It’s important to take duct tape on every camping trip so that you can use it to solve problems. This can help to seal and protect your tent and even protect your body.
A hankerchief is a great item to bring on your trip. That small piece of cloth could become a potholder, a bag, a blotter or a towel. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. For example, there might be poisonous spiders or dangerous trails. Each camp is individual, so scope out the one you are planning to enter before every trip.
Dryer lint is a great item to bring if you are trying to start a campfire. Collect the lint in your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. To make it easy to collect dryer lint, simply hang a bag next to the dryer and fill with your lint. By doing this, you’ll have all the kindling you need.
Have you just bought your first tent and want to begin camping? If you are not sure how to put your tent up, practice before going on your camping trip. By doing this, you will know all the equipment that you will need to take with you to effectively pitch the tent. This also allows you to get this done fast when you show up where you’re camping, prior to night falling.
Before the sun goes down, make sure that you have your camp completely set up. This means a safe parking place for RV campers. Find a piece of ground that’s flat and dry if you are putting up a tent. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.
Be prepared for anything when you go camping. Things can sometimes go awry, even when carefully planned. Weather problems, injuries and other unexpected things may occur. Try not to take unnecessary risks that can yield injury or illness.
Kids love camping, especially when you plan activities that they can do. Being in the woods can be boring for them as time goes on. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. Take the time to teach them these skills before the trip, especially if they don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors.
Soft Ground
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. It is as convenient for repairs while you are camping as it is at home. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. It can also seal rips in tarps, a sleeping bag, or the tent. If you are going on a long hike, you can put it on the sensitive parts of your feet for blister prevention. This can also be used for injuries when you do not have a regular doctor around.
When you show up to go camping, pitch your tent wherever you can find flat and soft ground. A sloped and/or rocky area will make any time spent inside the tent very uncomfortable. In addition to looking for soft ground, lay down a tarp to prevent moisture from soaking into the bottom of your tent.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have 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 attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. If you’re in an area that is rich in vegetation, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. Always bring insect repellent on any camping trip.
You want to make sure that you don’t end up with drained flashlight batteries when you head out on your camping trip. It is easy to inadvertently turn the flashlight on when digging through your camping equipment. Keep your flashlight in a secure place to avoid accidentally turning them on. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.
It’s a great idea to go to your main camp when you have a cell phone that you’ve fully charged. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. A cell phone is valuable in case of emergency, so verify that it is usable.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Many camping spots are remote, so there will not be a glow from city lights guiding you in the dark. If you have the proper lighting, you can prevent experiencing bad falls or wildlife encounters. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
Bringing your survival kit and first aid kit is crucial. These two things will make the difference between ending your trip early and taking care of many situations quickly and easily. This precaution can prevent loss of life and give you the time you need to get needed medical assistance in case of injury.
Watch your kids closely. Cars and campers will be pulling in and out, and there is always the possibility of little ones getting quickly lost in an unfamiliar forest. An accident can occur quickly, so it is important to be vigilant.
A camping trip could be a relaxing, tranquil experience, or it could end up being a vacation from hell. It all depends on the time you take to properly prepare for your trip. If you are well prepared for any possible situation, you are likely to have a great camping experience.
When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. If you lose them during your trip, that picture can help you immensely. Be sure that you have brought one for urgent situations, particularly if your camping destination is quite a ways from home.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Remove any traces of food from the campsite. The best practice for cleaning up a campsite is to leave nothing but your footprints behind.
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. Nutrient filled snacks can replace the need to cook if you don’t have the means or the energy. These items can be stored for quite a while, which means you don’t have to worry about the expiration date.
Make plans in advance so you can have the most fun. There is a lot more to do than just roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Be creative and think of activities that will be fun for each family member. This is especially true if you are bringing children or older family members along for the trip.
Depending on your ability to plan, you can either have a great time camping, or you can have a miserable time. The distinction often boils down to your level of preparation. If you are able to think ahead about what you might come across, and protect yourself against it, you will have a great time camping.
Shower Curtain
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose for your camping trip is right for the time of year and all the weather it brings. For instance, you’ll want a lightwweight bag to keep you cool in the summer. However, you’ll need a heavyweight sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.
A shower curtain that is past its prime is a quick and inexpensive tarp for placement under your tent. You can also use it to cover the ground when you wash dishes or yourself to control the direction of the dirty water. Rather than getting rid of a shower curtain, wash it with your laundry and use it the next time you go camping.
Bring along many different types of clothing. Outdoor weather can change without much warning. Even if it is chilling in the morning, it may end up steaming hot in the afternoon. It can turn chilly again in the evenings. By dressing in layers of clothing, you can easily shed layers when the temperature rises and then add layers when the temperature drops.
When the camping trip will be longer, pack activities to entertain during downtime. While you may want to stay away from devices that connect you with the real world, there are many activities you can enjoy without the help of technology. Some of these include board games, a good book or your favorite music.
Don’t forget the toilet paper and wet wipes. 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.
Remember to pack plenty of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important when camping. Look for an optimum sunscreen for the conditions and make sure the SPF is sufficient. It can also be helpful to find a sunscreen that combines bug protection. Just don’t put too many chemicals on your body at the same time when you’re out camping.
Make sure that your camping supplies include sufficient food and water. If your campsite is known to have an abundance of bears, be certain to store all food away from your sleeping area. Properly dispose of garbage via burning it so food odors can’t attract the bears to your site.
Camping is an experience in life that is very rewarding. Many people enjoy that, but others have a hard time with it. In order to get the most out of your camping trip, make sure you plan it well ahead of time. Use the advice you have read here!
If snakes are native to your campground area, ensure your campsite is snake-proof. Avoid places snakes like to hide such as woodpiles, rock piles, and brush and bushes. Make sure you check your items to make sure a snake didn’t sneak into them. Close up your tent and secure the edges with heavy materials like dirt or sand.
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