You can’t deny the allure of the great outdoors for many people. You can get the most enjoyment out of it if you plan ahead and learn the best approaches. By familiarizing yourself with the following advice, you can make your next camping trip the best one ever.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
Pack a survival kit and carry it on you at all times. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. This is an essential item that does not cost a lot of money and can provide a lot of benefits.
Duct tape is a must-have when you go camping as it can be used for a variety of things. You can patch holes in your tent, your mattress or your shoes, or secure your tent poles, seal mosquito netting and much, much more.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.
Take extra precautions if you are camping in any area that has very dangerous wildlife. 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.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It’s easy to accidentally turn on a flashlight when rummaging through your bags. To make sure your batteries don’t get drained, put the batteries in backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. Sleeping bags made of lightweight material are optimal for warmer climates. By contrast, you should invest in a heavy sleeping bag if you plan to camp in a cold area. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.
When camping with children, bring along a picture of each child. If you lose a child at any point, having a picture to show rescuers or search parties could be very useful. Keep pictures of your children on you when ever you are far from home.
One great suggestion for any camping trip is to pack a second utility knife. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
Pack wisely and carefully. Compile a checklist of things that you need for your trip, then check the items off on the list as you add them to your bags. This is very important if you’re camping in some remote region without quick access to first-aid items or any other emergency supplies.
One easy tip to keep in mind is that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. It is very hard to put up a tent when it is dark. You will need a flashlight or you’ll have to build a fire. It’s much easier to pitch your tent while it’s light out.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
Always take a map with you, and make sure you know how to read the map and a compass before you go. It is still possible to get lost at the camp grounds even though you have already been there, because campsites look similar. To avoid a potential tragedy, carry a map and compass with you.
Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. Foods should be properly vacuum-packed, canned and sealed. Pack an adequate supply of ice for keeping perishable foods nice and cold and be sure to drain your cooler’s plug so the food doesn’t get soaked.
Though it might seem like a no-brainer, do not forget your toilet paper. When camping at a facility without public bathrooms, you will need to do your business outside. Without toilet paper, your only option is to use a few leaves to wipe. This is not pleasant and might even contain poison ivy or poison oak.
Camping can provide an experience for a lifetime if you know how to plan it well. In order to obtain the necessary foundation for planning great camping trips, a bit of research is in order. Use the advice in the above article, and you’ll be a pro camper in no time.