Camping is a great activity to do with family and friends. If you have never gone camping, you are certainly missing out on a great experience, so give it a try when you can. The truth remains, though, that to camp properly, some specific knowledge is needed. This article will provide you with the information you need to have a successful camping trip.
Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won’t keep you warm in the winter. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Make sure that the sleeping bag you bring camping is right for the weather. If you’re camping in the heat of summer, a sub-zero bag just isn’t comfortable or appropriate. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won’t keep you warm in the winter. Without protection, you are running the risk of developing hypothermia.
While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. This can eliminate the aggravation felt when setting up your tent.
Pack and carry a survival kit on your person for the entire trip. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, flare gun and waterproof matches. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Carry it at all times.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. This makes it possible for everyone to sleep comfortably, and it also allows for room to move about and exit the tent if nature calls.
Review your health insurance policy. Out-of-state traveling will sometimes require additional coverage. This is more crucial if you go camping in another country. Make sure you have prepared yourself, just in case of an accident.
Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. Some websites will tell you what the weather is usually like during the time you’ll be going. Armed with the proper facts, you will know that to expect and what to pack.
Bring oranges not only to eat but also to deter mosquitoes. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.
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. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
Duct tape can be used to solve many problems on camping trips. It can fix so many different things, holes, leaks and just about anything else that arises.
Take oranges with you as a way to snack in a healthy, convenient way–and as a mosquito repellent that is organic. Save the peels when you’re done eating and gently rub them on your face, arms, legs or any other exposed areas, and you keep the pesky bugs away with no harsh chemicals and for a great price!
Plan several activities to do while camping. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. 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.
Don’t forget to pack up some duct tape when you’re camping because it’s very versatile. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.
If you’re going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you’re very careful about your food. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn’t close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Don’t forget to include special pillows made just for camping on your adventure. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
Living off the land is part of camping, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go prepared. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Even letting one particular item slip your mind can devastate your trip. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. The most basic requirements are a tent, water, sleeping bag, an all-purpose knife, food, matches and soap.
Keep pictures of your children handy if they are camping with you. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. Make sure you bring one for emergencies, especially if you are camping far from home.
Watch your kids closely. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. Things happen very quickly and your kids should be supervised.
Be conscious of where you set up camp. You need to avoid setting up your camping site close to wasp’s nests and other insect breeding grounds. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. If you are properly prepared for many different situations, then you will be more likely to enjoy your trip.
Pack strategically. Create a supply checklist for your trip and check off each item as it’s being packed. This is something you should strive to do if you are camping in a secluded spot, away from first-aid or emergency amenities.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It’s very hard to set up your tent when it’s dark outside. If you plan on pitching a tent when its dark, you will need a flashlight. It is so much easier to set up your shelter before dark.
Whenever you select a sleeping bag, ensure that your selection is one that is appropriate for the season. For example, if it’s summertime you need a bag that’s lighter so you’re not too hot during the night. Conversely, during the winter you need to choose a heavy bag.
Duct Tape
Make sure that all food brought along on a camping trip is preserved and prepared properly. Keep food in containers that can’t get water in them, and bags that are airtight. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Always keep raw and cooked foods separate. Wash your hands and any surfaces when preparing food. Thoroughly cook foods and store them right away.
Make sure that you never go camping without duct tape. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. If your tent has damage, duct tape can be used to fixed it so you do not have to worry about getting wet at night.
Make sure to plan fun things to do from your trip’s start to its finish. Marshmallows and campfires aren’t the only things you can do when you’re camping. Try to be creative and do some activities that every family member can have fun with. When making plans, consider your older and younger children.
Food poisoning is a common danger of camping stemming from improper food storage. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
When you are camping, it is vital to make sure tent has good ventilation and stays dry. With no ventilation, condensation can form in the tent. Too much condensation can lead to you waking up soaked with water. Tents sometimes have vents that are built in or windows that can be opened to prevent the build up of moisture.
Bring along many different types of clothing. Weather can change on a dime. It may be chilly early in the morning, but then the afternoon can be incredibly hot and humid. It may get cold late at night, so make sure you are prepared. If you wear clothing in layers, you can add more or peel off layers easily as the temperature changes.
If you’re interested in going to the woods for your camping trips and you haven’t done so before, be sure to test it out to see if you’ll like it first. Set up your tent in your backyard and camp out for a night. Under no circumstances should you enter your house, no matter what you might be wanting. If you enjoyed your night out in the tent, camping could be for you!
To remain comfortable while tent camping, keep your tent ventilated and dry. Condensation from breathing and perspiration can build up in a sealed tent, causing moisture to permeate the walls, roof, floor, and even sleeping bags. This can result in you getting wet. To avoid moisture build up in your tent, open the door or window in your tent.
Bring a filter or tablets so you can purify water. These tablets will turn any water into potable drinking water. If you have never used purification tablets before, you may want to give them a try before you embark on your camping trip. Dehydration is a huge problem, so make sure that you are accustomed to these tablets.
If you are interested in camping in the woods but have never done so before, there is a quick way to test if you will enjoy it or not. Set up your tent in your back yard and sleep there overnight. No matter what happens, stay out of the house. If you enjoyed your night out in the tent, camping could be for you!
Make a snake-proof campsite if there are snakes where you are camping. Stay away from snake homes like woods, rocks or deep thickets. Check everything you have on you to ensure a snake isn’t hiding in your clothing or bags. Your tent must be kept sealed and the edges of it packed with earth to keep snakes from going under the tent.
If you are planning a long camping trip, bring along plenty of entertainment. You don’t want to spend your entire time reading or playing with electronic gadgets, though. You can do that a home anytime!
Pack some indoor entertainment items. There may be bad weather during your trip. You may have to spend a lot of time indoors should it rain. This doesn’t mean the trip is ruined. Just bring plenty of things to do inside the tent or cabin.
As discussed in this article’s introduction, camping can be a fun activity to engage in, however, a successful camping trip does demand both knowledge and preparation. Apply what you’ve just learned prior to leaving for your next trip. Keeping the tips shared here in mind will make for a more pleasant trip.
Fire safety should be your number one priority when camping. Learn the proper way to build a fire ring that is safe. Make sure there is are buckets of water around your campsite in the event the fire gets larger than you can handle. Take quick action to keep things contained, and do not allow a fire to burn unattended.