Many people have the misconception that camping is a miserable experience that involves nothing but bug bites, bad food and boredom. Your camping trip doesn’t have to be a letdown. You can enjoy a great camping trip with preparation. Keep reading to learn how to plan for an enjoyable trip.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is really important for people who live in the city. 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.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.
After you buy your camping tent, set it up at home rather than waiting until your trip to set it up for the first time. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Don’t be afraid of bringing too much if you have kids. Camping can be very messy. Kids are seriously attracted to the dirt. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. Prepare thoroughly!
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. If an accident happens, you will have the knowledge that you need to make the situation better until you can get medical help. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. You may miss the shower at your home when you are camping. Cool water can give you a feeling of exhilaration that may help you to miss your shower at home much less.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. In emergencies, such cloth can turn into a towel, a potholder or a piece of luggage. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you’re camping.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. Carry something small and convenient, such as a chocolate bar or some coffee creamer. These small luxuries can really brighten your spirits!
Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Depending upon how long your trip will last, you should have plenty of food that won’t spoil over the course of your trip. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. Cook and store your food properly during the trip to avoid food poisoning.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. That way, you will be prepared for an unexpected chill, or you can have a softer place to sleep.
If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. If they go missing, you can show people the photo to help find them quickly. When camping far away from your house, remember to bring one in case of an emergency.
Be mindful of your camp location choice. Don’t set up camp near wasps or other insect homes. If you are near lots of trees and leaves, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. Also, insect repellent is a great device to use while camping.
Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. When the day ends, you may feel so tired you aren’t in the mood for cooking. Nutrient-rich treats like beef jerky and trail mix will help satisfy your hunger. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
One simple tip that many people overlook is creating your shelter before dark. It is really hard to set up a tent in the dark. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. It is basically easier to get your campsite set up before it gets dark and you are not fumbling around in the dark.
Clean up your campsite before going home. Bring enough garbage bags for all the trash. Take any leftover food with you. A basic camping rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Bring toilet paper along when you travel. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods. Using leaves to clean off is not a good idea because there may be some poison ivy mixed in.
Now you should know you can have a lot of fun camping. The information you just read is the perfect starting point for planning a great camping trip. Using these tips will make your camping trip a great experience while allowing you to avoid common pitfalls.