So, you’re going away on a camping trip? Are you prepared to learn about what could possibly happen when you’re out there camping? While a lot of things related to camping are basic, you have to take time to plan ahead of time. Keep reading to learn some great advice.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Do not assume you can collect firewood from the area. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it in a dry place.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. If you prepare yourself for this ahead of time, it won’t stress you out as much when it happens. Enjoy your time in the woods by letting yourself relax and get dirty. You can return to being clean and civilized when you’re at home.
Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. You can use it as a potholder, bag holder or a towel. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. Discuss which state you wish to visit. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Pack things like oranges when you go camping. They are nutritious, and they also keep mosquitoes away. Use the peels to rub your body down. It is a low-cost, chemical-free way to keep bugs away.
If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. You don’t want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.
If you are camping for the first time, stay close to home. You don’t want to be far away if you decide you’ve had enough of camping, or if you have problems with your equipment. Maybe you’ll run low on food or not have enough clothing with you. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
Ensure the tent is an adequate size for anyone that might be with you. This helps you to have a more comfy night’s sleep, and trips in and out of the tent will be less disturbing for those who are sleeping.
Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. Depending on the amount of time you will be out, it is important to have food that will not spoil while you are out. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. Prepare your food properly and research any precautions you need to take.
A camping trip provides fun experiences or dangerous experiences. Which you will experience depends on your level of preparation. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don’t just take off on a whim. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
When you bring a canine along on a camping trip, don’t forget his leash and to keep a close eye on him always. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. Additionally, dogs can wreak a lot of havoc on a campsite if they are not supervised properly.
Try using dryer lint to help you start your campfire. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
Even camping purists may find that having a small luxury item is a good thing. It can be something as simple as your favorite pillow or coffee creamer. A few small indulgences can make you incredibly happy.
If your intended camping destination is known for its prowling wildlife, take more than enough precautions to secure food. This means to wrap things up as tight as possible, keeping things away from your shelter and avoiding certain foods altogether. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.
Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Are you a novice at camping, having just bought your tent? If you are, practice setting up your tent before you go camping. This way, you will know the things you need to put your tent up. This lets you get it done before night falls.
Is this your first tent? You should try pitching your tent before you head out for the first time. This way, you will know the things you need to put your tent up. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Make sure you have everything you need for a camping trip. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. There are times when it is important to be able to see clearly in the dark. You can use light to make sure you’re not going to fall over due to the terrain, or run into a wild animal. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Experts have disclosed that simply rubbing the inner peel of a ripened orange on exposed skin can act as a repellant. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.
Duct Tape
Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. You have to figure out a spot that doesn’t have too many insects or problems with any animals. If you’re in an area that is rich in vegetation, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. Also, carry insect repellent.
It’s essential to take duct tape on every camping trip. Tents can be quite durable, but they aren’t invincible. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
It’s a great idea to bring along beef jerky or trail mix when you go camping. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don’t feel like cooking. Even if you don’t eat them, these are non-perishable snacks that have a long shelf life.
Figure out how to use a compass and read a map in advance. If you have visited the campsite before, you can still get lost once you arrive. This can help you to avoid getting lost or falling into a dangerous situation.
Bring a good utility knife when you camp. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.
Clean out your campsite before you leave to go back home. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Remove any traces of food from the campsite. The only thing that should be left behind are your footprints.
Smart campers will leave their car or base camp with a charged mobile phone. You might want to bring an extra battery as well just in case your original runs low. In the event of an emergency, you will need your cell to call out for help, so this item is very important.
When selecting a sleeping bag, make sure it’s season-appropriate. For instance, if it is summer, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. Conversely, you’ll need a heavy bag during cold winter nights to keep you from freezing.
Waterproof matches are an absolute essential addition to your camping survival kit. Keep them stored in an air and water tight container. You can make your own matches waterproof by putting them 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.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. Campfires and marshmallows provide hours of fun, but there is so much more to a camping trip. Think outside the box and plan things that everyone in the family will enjoy. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
Many people get food poisoning when camping because of improper packing every year. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler’s drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
Shower Curtain
A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. Such campers think that situating their tent in such an area will be convenient, but they soon realize the error of their ways. While you can use the bathroom area for lighting, it also is an attraction point for a lot of people. So, they may not have the comfort and convenience that they hoped for.
An old shower curtain makes the perfect DIY tent tarp. You could also put it down in the area in which you are going to wash your dishes or prepare your food. Instead of consigning your shower curtain to the dumpster, wash it and keep it around for your next camping trip.
Shower curtains make a great replacement for a tent tarp; keeping you dry and for a fairly cheap price. It can also be placed under cooking and washing stations so you can better handle the mess when those areas are used. So, instead of tossing your shower curtain into the garbage, just clean it and use it for the next camping trip.
Armed with the advice in the piece above, you ought to have a good feel for what you should consider prior to your trip. It is best to always be prepared. Use the tips from this article and you can have a fantastic trip.
Depending on the length of your camping trip, you might want to have some way of entertaining yourself or passing the time. Also, you can bring books or music to read or put on near a lake or fire.
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