Are you looking to experience a relaxing camping trip in the great outdoors? The most important step in any camping trip is planning, whether it is for a long backpacking trip or a weekend at the local park. The information from this article can take some stress off of your shoulders.
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. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. This comes into effect, more so, when you are traveling out of the country. Better to be prepared and safe than sorry later.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. You can use it as a potholder, bag holder or a towel. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. It is good for patching holes in tents, shoes, and inflatables. It is also good for securing tents and sealing up mosquito nets.
Make sure that you understand the dangers and risks of the camping site that you choose. Knowing what poisonous creatures to watch out for, where terrain gets rugged, and when to expect dangerous weather are key to ensuring your safety. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. For instance, card games, fishing poles and footballs will help to ensure that you have a fun time in the woods. If the kids are camping with you, you’ll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.
If you are camping in a location with dangerous wildlife, take safety precautions with your food. These precautions include tightly wrapping your foods and storing them away from your tent. You also have to just forgo certain foods entirely. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
It’s very important that you bring the proper items on your camping trip. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Keeping a checklist is very helpful for this. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Be prepared for your next camping adventure by taking precautions on conserving flashlight batteries. 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. Doing this will prevent batteries from being wasted so that you can be confident they will be ready when the time comes to use them.
Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. This is especially crucial if the campgrounds are in a remote location. Prepare for your trip a couple days prior to leaving and use a check list to ensure you have everything as you pack.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Rubbing your exposed skin with the inside of the orange peel is something recommended by many camping experts. This can keep mosquitoes at bay for a number of hours.
Pack ready to eat foods in your camping gear, like trail mix and jerky. By nightfall, you may be too exhausted to prepare a campfire and cook, and having the quick, nutritious foods will really come in handy. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
Make sure you pack a utility knife when going camping. The versatility of a utility knife makes it priceless when you are out camping. Bring one to slip into your pocket and throw a backup knife into your bag. You never know when your utility knife will come in handy!
Food poisoning afflicts many campers annually, since they don’t pack their food right. Food that is stored incorrectly can go bad and cause food poisoning. Bring lots of ice to prevent food from spoiling, and remove the drain plug on the cooler so your food stays dry.
Always make sure that your sleeping bag is light enough or heavy enough for the season you will be using it in. For example, if you are going camping during the summer months, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, so that your body does not overheat during the night. In the winter, thicker bags are necessary to keep you warm.
Be safe with food when you go camping. Make sure to pack your foods in airtight containers. Store food that requires refrigeration in an insulated cooler. Make sure to keep your raw food and cooked food separate. Use a cleaner or sanitizer to keep hands and surfaces clean, just as you would at home. Also, be sure that all food is fully cooked and that any leftovers are chilled as soon as possible.
You should now have a good idea on how to plan your trip. Whether you are planning an overnight trip or a week long adventure, many of the same items are required. Start planning now, and soon you’ll be on your way to your own memorable camping trip.