Does camping scare you just a bit because it’s a new, uncharted experience? That should never stand in your way. You simply need to be confident and have the proper advice. If that’s what you seek, you have found the right article. This article is going to help you learn how to have a good time camping.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. If you take a sub-zero bag camping in the middle of summer, you will probably sweat all night, or even overheat. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. When night falls, making food, finding wood, and pitching your tent can be very difficult. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. Don’t get into this situation, look for proper shelter before you get to this point.
Let everyone of your family members have a say on where to go camping. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are millions of options just in the United States, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose the perfect one! To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Be well-versed in emergency first aid if you plan on camping out, especially if there will be kids with you. You will have all of the medical knowledge you will need in case of an accident. Never forget to research. Find out if the area has poisonous snakes, what type of wildlife lives in the woods, etc.
When you’re getting a brand new tent for your camping trip, take it out and set it up at home before you go camping. This will prevent you from having a tent with missing pieces and then you can set it up properly. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.
Pack additional clothes when going camping. Camping can be dirty! The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. As a result, they are going to be seriously messy by the end of each day. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. Always prepare!
Oranges can be used for insect repellent. After you’ve enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels. If the mosquitoes are swarming, rub the peels over your body to keep them at bay.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. Being stuffed into a tent can make it almost impossible to get any sleep, and you certainly do not want to be stepping on people if you have to get out during the night.
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. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. Doing this when you still have daylight lets you get familiar with the area. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. Prepare fully before going on a camping trip. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
Research the area you are planning to camp in and familiarize yourself with its particular dangers. There may be spiders or bears that could pose a threat to your safety. Every camping spot has a few dangers to be aware of.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Sometimes, being covered while out of state requires an additional policy. This is very important if you will be camping in a foreign country. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. They could get bored out in the woods and away from the things they use to entertain themselves regularly. They may never have had a chance to set up a tent or catch a fish. Take the time to demonstrate the activities prior to leaving, especially if they’ve never really lived outdoors.
Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. The cool water at a beach or pool will help you feel clean and refreshed.
If you bring a dog camping with you, be sure to keep an eye on them and be sure they’re on a leash. There are campers who do not like dogs. Respect is important when camping. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
Kids really enjoy camping if they are kept busy with fun activities. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods. While fishing, pitching a tent and starting a fire might sound fun, they are not the activities kids are used to. Take the time to demonstrate the activities prior to leaving, especially if they’ve never really lived outdoors.
Make sure that you take some activity equipment with you. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. Choosing a sloped or rocky area to camp at can make you uncomfortable when in your tent. Prevent water from getting in by placing a tarp or plastic sheet under the floor of your tent.
Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. Packing a sleeping bag is pretty obvious, but take the extra precaution of including extra blankets too. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be camping. Heavy weight sleeping bags are best for cold weather, while lightweight bags works best for hot weather. You must have a bag that surrounds the body closely so that body heat can be retained.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It is easy to inadvertently turn the flashlight on when digging through your camping equipment. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Duct Tape
Try to arrange all of your clothing in advance before you go on a camping trip. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. You should also have a pair of hiking boots or some other type of durable, protective shoe.
Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.
Be aware of your campsite location. You have to be sure you don’t set up next to stinging insects or anything unsafe. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.
Make sure that you choose a sleeping bag that fits the temperature of the region you plan to visit. For example, summertime camping calls for a lightweight bag that helps you stay cool. However, during the winter, you’re going to need a heavier bag if you don’t want to freeze at night.
Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. A first aid kit helps to prevent situations from becoming serious, and it allows you to help family or friends until medical help arrives.
There are safety procedures that should be followed when camping. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Small animals can pose a threat if they feel they are in danger. Don’t feed bears if you encounter any.
If you are tenting, it is important that you seal any of the seams in your tent. If your tent doesn’t have a tube, you can find easily find them. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.
Make sure that all food brought along on a camping trip is preserved and prepared properly. Place food in sealed containers so it does not come in contact with water. Keep your food in coolers that are insulated. Prevent cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods by storing them separately. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Chill foods in a prompt manner and cook your foods to proper temperatures.
Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. If the food that you pack for camping is not canned, vacuum sealed or preserved, you exposing yourself to the possibility of experiencing food poisoning from eating spoiled food. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
Make sure you have fun activities planned beforehand. Only planning for campfires and smores might leave you bored for the rest of the day. Use your imagination to come up with ideas that each family member will enjoy. Take younger and older children into consideration when you are planning.
Ensure that your food is safe while camping. If you bring food, pack them in waterproof containers and airtight re-sealable plastic bags. Keep cold foods in ice in insulated containers. Store raw food apart from cooked food to avoid contamination. Make sure your hands are clean whenever you are preparing food either by washing them or using hand sanitizer. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.
Shower Curtain
For a cheap and disposable tarp to place under your tent, save an old shower curtain! You could also use the curtain as a cooking base or any place you need to control run-off. Instead of throwing out old shower curtains, keep them around for your next camping trip.
You can use a shower curtain in place of a tarp under your tent. A shower curtain can also serve other purposes, including a place to wash your cooking utensils and a place to take quick showers without getting your feet and legs muddy. Instead of throwing a shower curtain in the trash, clean it and use it for camping.
First aid kits should be in everyone’s camping arsenal. It should have anything that you might need should an emergency arise. You need to put essentials in your kit such as splints, bandages, snake bite remedies and gauze for dressing wounds. You must always keep safety in mind while camping and be ready for accidents that may occur.
As you can see, there are some basic tips that can give you the confidence you need to start planning a trip to the great outdoors. It doesn’t matter where you plan to camp, make sure you get the most out of your trip by applying the advice you learned today. You’ll soon realize that you will want to go camping frequently.
For a camping trip that will take a while, bring along entertainment for yourself. 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.
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