Are you planning an exciting camping trip? Here are a few common tips to know about camping. Although most aspects of camping are basic, being prepared can make the difference between a great trip and a disastrous one. Keep reading for some great advice.
Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Talk about where you want to camp. The United States offers so many choices that choosing one can be hard! If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.
Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. 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. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Camping can be messy. Kids love getting into dirt. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. Be ready for anything.
See if you can integrate swimming into your camping trip. Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower.
Always set up your camp before nightfall. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. If you are camping in a tent, look for a dry and flat area of ground. You will be able to see the area better before nightfall and become familiar with it. It is also easier for you to see what is happening, so you won’t feel so frustrated.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Standard pillows can get hot and sticky in humid weather. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.
When first getting involved with camping, start out close to home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. You might want to take a deck of cards or a list of things to look for during a scavenger hunt as well as a fishing pole. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. How your camping experience turns out is down to one key factor: preparation. 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.
When setting up a tent, ensure that the seams are all sealed. Some tents are sold with material to seal the seams, and the majority of sporting goods stores have tube available for the purpose. This ensures not only rain, but also critters, are kept from your tent.
Clean out your campsite before you leave to go back home. Get some trash bags and clean up your mess. Make sure you pick up any food that you have as leftovers too. The main rule when you’re leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
It is important to take toilet paper along when you go camping. If you take care of business in the woods, toilet paper is imperative to have. Leaves may have poison on them, as you will want to use toilet paper to wipe.
It’s a common mistake to set up your campsite near the restrooms. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. Consequently, campers that pitch their tents near communal campsite bathrooms have neither the convenience nor the comfort that they may have expected.
To remain comfortable while tent camping, keep your tent ventilated and dry. When your sleeping quarters are entirely sealed, from head to toe, condensation gathers and can aggravate the breathing. The moisture can drip on you, which can be a big problem during the winter. In a tent, you can crack doors, windows or vents to help you avoid buildup of moisture and give yourself a crossbreeze.
As you can see, there are a few things beyond the basics that are required for a successful camping trip. Camping is not a luxury vacation, and you should go into it prepared and ready. The information given here can help you have a memorable trip!