When did you last go camping? Camping provides a great opportunity to relax, enjoy nature, and reflect on your life. You need not think about work, you aren’t distracted by your television, and you can simply relax. Use this article to turn yourself into a knowledgeable camper for the next time you explore the great outdoors!
Although you might assume the woods will offer you plenty of firewood for your camping needs, nature may surprise you with rain-soaked logs or wood that will not easily ignite. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is really important for people who live in the city. Don’t let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
If you have bought a brand new tent in preparation for your camping trip, set it up at home first before you use it for camping. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Always pack enough for your kids. Camping can be dirty. Kids love to play in the dirt. Your kids may become filthy as the day goes on. While this cannot usually be prevented, be sure to pack some extra clothing. Prepare ahead of time!
Go to a class to learn about first aid. If something bad happens, you’ll be able to take care of it because you’ll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Be sure you are aware whether there are any snakes or spiders that are poisonous and what kind of critters are out there in the area.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. Should an emergency arise, your knowledge of first aid can prevent further issues until help arrives. Be sure to do some research as well. Be aware of poisonous flora and fauna, as well as of what sounds animals make.
Check the weather before leaving for your camping trip. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. When you know what the weather is going to be like ahead of time, you can pack the appropriate clothing and equipment.
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
When planning for a camping adventure with kids, be sure to speak to them about camping dangers. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants like poison ivy so they know what to avoid in the wild.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. You should bring things like a flare and antivenom as well, you never know what might happen.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Your neighboring campers may be afraid of dogs. Respect for other campers is an important aspect of public camping. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
Make sure to bring duct tape on your camping trip to fix almost any problem. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on the length of time of your outing, you need to have plenty of non-perishable food. No one wants to end their trip early because of food poisoning from spoiled food. There are many great online sources to provide you with information on how to properly prepare and store food for your camping trip.
Think carefully on your next trip to prevent the drainage of your flashlight batteries. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. To avoid drained batteries, store your flashlights with the batteries backwards. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
Safety Precautions
Choose a proper sleeping bag for your camping conditions. Lighter weight bags are great for warm weather; however, if the climate is cooler, a heavier bag will be in order. You must have a bag that surrounds the body closely so that body heat can be retained.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. Take safety precautions, such as wrapping your items in many layers for protection. This helps lower your attack risk.
Don’t let your kids out of your sight. There are cars that pull in and out of campsites, and of course, young children can quickly and easily get lost in the woods. It can take just one second for a child to get into danger, so supervise them at all times to be safe.
Generally when you camp, you want to live with as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. Bring creature comforts like a sleeping bag, extra blankets and even an air mattress. These can be used for additional padding or for extra warmth on a chilly night.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. Make sure you pack enough appropriate clothing for the duration and activity planned for your outing. Also, remember to bring clothing that is weather appropriate for the climate of your campsite. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
Are you a novice at camping, having just bought your tent? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. By doing so, you will know that the equipment is all included, and you will be familiar with the process of pitching it. Doing this will help you pitch your tent quickly, just in case you get to your campsite when it starts to get dark.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. Both items are fairly healthy and will come in handy when you don’t feel like cooking. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your 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 can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives serve many functions so bring along at least one.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. If you have kids with you, be sure they each have their own flashlight.
You must have a first aid box as well as a distinct survival kit. These items can help save a life or help keep a harmful situation from going from bad to worse. Being prepared can prevent a serious situation from worsening and can buy you time when helping a sick or injured person to safety.
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be 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. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If you don’t preserve, pack and prepare your food right, you’re at risk. Bring lots of ice to prevent food from spoiling, and remove the drain plug on the cooler so your food stays dry.
Take some time to think about the appropriate camping clothing ahead of time. You don’t want to be stuck wearing dirty clothes daily. Also, before you leave, check the climate to determine what types of clothes to bring. Durable shoes like hiking boots or other closed-toe shoes are also recommended for many situations.
When selecting a sleeping bag, make sure it’s season-appropriate. For instance, you’ll want a lightwweight bag to keep you cool in the summer. When it’s wintertime, it’s a good idea to get a thicker bag so you’re not too cold.
Simply adhering to the ideas presented within this article can pave the way to camping success. These suggestions will help make your planning easier and more productive. It is a great idea to always look for any information that can enhance your experience.
Always do everything possible to stay safe while on a camping trip. This means you’re going to have to stay away from various forms of wildlife that may be in the area you’re camping in. Small animals such as squirrels and possums can prove more menacing than their diminutive sizes suggest. It should go without saying, but do not feed any bears if you see them.
About The Author
