Many people have preconceived notions about camping only involves sitting around bored while rationing food and the potential insect bites. Read this article for tips on planning for a great trip.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
You might think you can find enough wood for your fire in the woods, but there might be nothing but wet wood that refuses to burn. It’s always a good idea to take along some wood of your own and keep it where it won’t get wet.
After you buy your camping tent, make sure to pitch it in your yard before you leave for a trip. This helps you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to pitch your tent.
You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there might be nothing but wet wood that refuses to burn. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
Don’t worry about over-packing for your children. Camping can get very messy. Kids are seriously attracted to dirt. This means that your kids will get dirty children. While this cannot usually be prevented, you can have some extra clothing just in case.
Camping can be dangerous depending on just one factor: preparation. Only go camping when you are fully prepared.
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. This allows you to check and see that all the pieces are there and that you know how to assemble your shelter correctly. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting your campfire. Collect some lint in your clothes dryer to bring with you. Simply use a plastic bag near the dryer and stash the lint in the bag as it collects. This is a good way to have kindling ready when you’re ready.
If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, do not just let him or her run free. There are campers who have a fear of dogs. You must show respect the needs of others when camping. Also, because it is a new territory, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be messy. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. You can’t avoid the dirt, but some extra clothes will help out. Be sure you’re prepared!
If you’re camping where there is dangerous wildlife, be extremely careful with food. This will reduce the likelihood of being attacked.
Make a camping gear and double check it while packing. Forgetting just one or two things could be disastrous for your trip.
Take either a bandanna or handkerchief with you when you go camping. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper towel. It is very versatile, so be sure you take one with you every time you go camping.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before you go camping.This will really be handy if you have a while to get to the campgrounds.
Keep pictures of your children on you if they are camping with you.This picture could be used to help find them if they were to get separated from you while on your trip. Always bring an emergency photo, especially when a good distance from the home.
It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. This kit should contain the basics, but should evolve as you change your camping locations. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
Be mindful of where you put up camp. You don’t set up next to stinging insects or ant hills. If you must erect your tent near dense areas of vegetation, wear long pants and sleeves so you aren’t upset by insects. You also have bug repellant nearby.
It is important that you have first aid and other survival items never be forgotten for a camping trip. These essential items can help to reduce the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious from getting worse until you can get help for the injured some medical help.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. While fishing, pitching a tent and starting a fire might sound fun, they are not the activities kids are used to. If you don’t normally spend time outside, show them before you go camping.
Pack your things carefully and efficiently.Create a checklist of necessary supplies and check each one off as they are packed. This is very important if you are camping in some remote region without quick access to first-aid items or any other emergency assistance.
As crazy as it seems, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, your only option will be to go in the woods. It is best not to use something from nature to clean yourself, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.
If camping is new for you, start somewhere nearby. Things may go wrong and you may have to abort your trip early if things don’t go your way. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help you.
Now you should know you can have a lot of fun camping. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. That way, you’ll be able to avoid the camping pitfalls and enjoy all the good things about it.