There aren’t many things that match how exciting and fun camping trips are for people of any age. The best way you can make sure to have a great trip is to know how to be prepared and to understand exactly what to do when situations arise. Take time to read through this article and you will be experiencing a great camping trip in no time.
It’s imperative that you pitch your tent before the sun goes down. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
You are going camping outdoors, so expect that you will all be getting dirty. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Just enjoy and appreciate being free in the wilderness; get stuck in and get messy. You can always take a bath back at the house.
When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. That way, you won’t be missing any pieces, and you’ll be able to set it up correctly the first time. This can eliminate the aggravation felt when setting up your tent.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that is going to sleep in it. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
Before camping, check out your medical insurance to affirm that it is intact. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. If you are going to a foreign country, this is especially critical. It is important to always be prepared.
Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper 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.
Create a proper emergency kit if you plan to go camping. This kit will change depending on when and where you are camping but should always include the basics. Species specific antivenom should be packed to protect against animal bites.
You need to take things to entertain yourself during your camping trip. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. Take as many entertainment items as you can fit if you are taking kids on your trip.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This will allow you to keep them stored without accidentally turning them on and wasting the batteries.
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Use airtight container to hold the matches. Matches can be made waterproof by simply placing them in either nail polish or paraffin for a quick dip. You can also make a caddy for them out of a 35mm film container or a medicine bottle made out of plastic.
Clean your campsite at the end of your stay. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Do not leave food there, either. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. If food is not properly vacuum-sealed, canned, or preserved, you risk getting sick from spoiled food. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
Use the appropriate sleeping bag for the current season. In summer weather, for example, you’ll need a light bag that will help you stay cool. In the winter, however, you need something a bit thicker to stay warm.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. They think this is a convenience for them, but they find out differently. While you can use the bathroom area for lighting, it also is an attraction point for a lot of people. Therefore they can be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Are you wondering how you will cook while you are camping? Decide before leaving the house what cooking method you’re going to use, and pack the right supplies. Also, take the necessary supplies on your trip to facilitate cooking.
Follow the right procedures for safety when you go camping. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. Small wildlife, such as squirrels, can be very dangerous despite their tiny size. Everyone should know, but some are unaware, that you should never feed any bears or other wildlife when camping.
No matter what their age, almost everyone enjoys a relaxing camping trip. As you can see, some basic camping information can help to make sure that everyone on the trip has a pleasant and enjoyable time. Apply what you’ve just learned, and your camping trip is going to be a great one.