Camping is great. Taking time out to appreciate nature is a great way to spend time with your family or just with yourself. Camping is a terrific way to commune with nature, though it is important to understand a fair bit about it first. Look at the tips that follow so you can have the best camping trip possible.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Do not get yourself into this situation, and find your shelter during daylight hours.
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. This will let you know that you’re not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. In addition, it will eradicate a portion of the frustration often associated with erecting a new tent.
Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Even in a remote site where you plan on roughing it, you can enhance your camping trip with a small piece of luxury. Take along some candy, some coffee you enjoy or anything that is lightweight but reminds you of home. A small luxury that reminds you of home can be uplifting.
Oranges are not only a healthy snack to take on a camping trip, but they are also versatile when used as a mosquito repellent. 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!
Buy some camping pillows. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. Mildew can grow in it when they absorb the moisture from the air. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Flashlights, spare batteries and an oil lantern are always handy items to have with you on your trip. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.
Watch your kids closely. You have to be sure they don’t wander off into the woods. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. Your phone could be the most important equipment you have in an emergency.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
Make sure to pack some duct tape for your camping trip. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
Figure out how to use a compass and read a map in advance. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. You can prevent disaster by knowing how to use these lifesaving items.
At the end of your camping outing, try to leave the site cleaner than you found it. Get some trash bags and clean up your mess. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. A good rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Food poisoning is a common danger of camping stemming from improper food storage. If you decide to bring fresh meats you must be sure that you keep it in the right temperature to ensure that it does not spoil. Ice is important as it will help to keep your food chilled and fresh.
Although camping is one of the all-time favorite vacation activities, without proper planning and packing, it can be a disastrous and even dangerous time for anyone! With the right preparation though, your trip will be fun and exiciting. Plan well and prepare in advance to make the most of your next outdoor vacation!