Camping is among the most fun activities that you can do with friends and family. If given the opportunity, everyone should go camping at least once. Camping does, however, require a great deal of knowledge and preparation. The article below has great tips to help you get started.
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. Your survival kit needs to have water-purifying tablets, a type of survival knife, a first-aid kit, a flare gun, and waterproof matches. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you're traveling with kids. You will have all of the medical knowledge you will need in case of an accident. Also, do your research. Be aware of poisonous flora and fauna, as well as of what sounds animals make.
If you are not prepared for your camping trip, your fun excursion can turn dangerous fast. You must make sure you are completely prepared before you go camping. Find out about the weather, the wildlife and the terrain of any location that you have not been to before.
If you've brought the kids along, feed them a "jungle" breakfast. Bring some packaged foods, beverage boxes and even fruits, then tie them to trees near the campsite. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
It's imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. This should be done before nightfall as is it much more difficult to navigate when it is dark. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, don't forget his leash. There are campers who do not like dogs. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. Besides that, dogs can also damage equipment and campsites if they aren't supervised.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. 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. If you plan to pitch a tent, make sure your sleeping bag stays snug against your body, as this prevents your body heat from escaping.
Use an orange peel mosquito repellant. If you arrive at your camping destination and realize you've forgotten to pack bug repellant, fear not. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This should stop any frustrating, itchy mosquito bites.
One great piece of equipment to carry while camping is a spare utility knife. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
Pack carefully and wisely. 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 imperative if you're camping in an area that does not have alternative access to essential safety items.
Figure out how to read maps and use a compass before your camping trips. You need to do this even if you've been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. This skill can potentially save your life.
When you're done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. Make sure you have garbage bags to clean up trash. Be certain to take your leftover food with you too. A good rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. Bring preserved foods and foods that don't spoil easily. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler's drain plug so that food products do not get soaked.
It is important to take toilet paper along when you go camping. If there are no restrooms in your camp area, you must go in the woods. 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.
Lots of camping novices set up their camp beside the rest area. They might feel that it's convenient for them, but they'll find out quickly it's the opposite. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. Therefore, campers who set up nearby may not find their site as convenient or comfortable as they had hoped.
Make sure you have fun activities planned beforehand. Campfires and marshmallows provide hours of fun, but there is so much more to a camping trip. Use your imagination to come up with ideas that each family member will enjoy. Take younger and older children into consideration when you are planning.
You can use a used shower curtain as an under-tent tarp. It also doubles as a ground base for cooking, washing, etc; basically anything you need safe above the dirt. Don't toss old shower curtains; save them for your next trip.
Baby Wipes
Always bring toilet paper and baby wipes when you go camping. Sure you could rough it and use the leaves as nature intended but why put yourself through that torment when toilet paper and baby wipes are readily available at your local store.
As was stated earlier, camping can be fun if you are properly prepared. Use these tips to prepare for your next outing. If you adhere to what you have read, your trip will rock.