No matter where your intended destination is, near or far, the better prepared you are, the more fun you will have. Read the advice provided below to get some inspiration and figure out how to best prepare for a camping expedition. You will not regret reading this great information.
Bring sleeping bags appropriate for the season. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. It can be even more difficult for those who are not accustomed to trying to see in complete darkness. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but the wood you find might be wet and not want to burn. It is good planning to take your own wood with you and store it where it is dry.
Sleeping Bag
Do a “jungle breakfast” if you are bringing kids. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. It does not take much space in your bag and can save the day in many different situations.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. 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.
A roll of duct tape is a very important piece of camping equipment. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
Prior to leaving on your camping adventure, look at the weather forecast in the location your are going to be camping. Lots of websites offer detailed information about average temperatures and rainfall. This will help you prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.
Before camping, get some camping pillows. Make sure that you bring camping pillows that do not absorb moisture. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
The lint from the dryer actually is great to help start campfires. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. The morning of your departure, all you need to do is grab the bag and depart, kindling sorted!
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. You do not want to forget essential items. Verify all the things that you need or should take and write out a list of all of them. Then, check your final packing according to the list to be sure.
Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. Just keep the peels in a plastic bag after you eat the orange and then use them to rub on your skin as the sun begins to go down. It is a cheap and effective way to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. If you are camping in the deep woods, far from anything familiar, kids can become bored. 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.
Ensure that you pack everything that you will need before leaving for a camping trip. Forgetting your sleeping bag or food is not what you want to happen. Make sure you check for the items you need, and create a list before leaving to be certain you have everything you want.
When first getting involved with camping, start out 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. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.
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. Keep your flashlight in a secure place to avoid accidentally turning them on. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or your trip isn’t what you thought it would be. Maybe you will find you have not brought enough food, clothing or other necessities. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Lighter bags might be good ideas for warmer climates and seasons to avoid unnecessary weight and space usage, but make sure that you have a heavy enough bag to stay warm in cold conditions. You want a sleeping bag that is close to your body and helps you retain your body heat if you plan to sleep in a tent.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.
Make sure to watch your children very closely. There are always cars arriving and leaving from campsites, and it is easy for little kids to get lost easily in wooded areas. Accidents and mishaps occur in a split second; make certain your children are safely supervised at all times.
Think carefully on your next trip to prevent the drainage of your flashlight batteries. It is very common for flashlights to be turned on inadvertently when going through camping supplies or while being stored. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
If you are taking your kids camping with you, make sure you bring a photo of them along. If you lose them during your trip, that picture can help you immensely. Always bring an emergency photo, especially if your campsite is far from your home.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before embarking on your trip. This is especially crucial if the campgrounds are in a remote location. Get prepared well ahead of schedule; at least one day, maybe two, is required to gather all the “forgotten” items you would regret not having in the wild.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. Beware of wasp nests, or breeding territory of other animals. Keep an eye out for animals and insects around your camp, and make sure there aren’t any large populations of them close to you. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. You have to be sure they don’t wander off into the woods. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
Every camper should possess a basic utility knife. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you’ll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
If you’re planning on camping, you need to remember to pack energy food like beef jerky and trail mix. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These items can be stored for quite a while, which means you don’t have to worry about the expiration date.
Pack carefully and intelligently. Have a checklist on hand and cross your items off the list as you add them to your pack. This is very important if you’re going to a far away place that doesn’t have first aid supplies or thing you’ll need when an emergency arises.
Duct Tape
Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. A piece of durable duct tape can keep you dry at night, even if your tent was damaged by accident.
Take along some duct tape on your camping trip. Tents are pretty strong, but they can suffer tears. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.
Matches that are waterproof are a key component of any survival kit. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. You can add paraffin to regular matches, or even nail polish for a homemade waterproof match. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.
Always bring toilet paper when you are packing for your camping trip. When camping at a facility without public bathrooms, you will need to do your business outside. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack plenty of ice to keep any perishable foods cold and remember to pull the drain plug in the cooler so the food does not get soaked.
Clearly, camping is an activity that can be enjoyed by virtually everyone. By applying what you have learned today, you can make plans for a trip even the pickiest family member can enjoy. Get out and about and take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer.
Don’t forget the toilet paper. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.
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