Camping is a great way for you to have an experience out in nature. But more than that, it’s a time to help you use survival skills, making the most of your ability to take care of yourself. It can also be a lot of fun. Here are some tips for your next camping experience, so you can have a good time!
If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.
If you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
Navigation is the key when it comes to camping. It is important to know where you are, and how to get back to civilization if you become lost. Always bring a map of the area, and a compass to help you. You can also use an outdoor GPS that will give you navigation information, as well as additional information such as altitude.
A big concern with many people who go camping is the bugs. Do not get stuck in the middle of nowhere without having some sort of bug repellant. Check your surroundings before setting up camp for any wasp nests or ant hills that could cause you problems. Wear long pants and long-sleeved whenever possible and inspect yourself for ticks occasionally.
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
When planning for your camping trip, don’t forget to pack the sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn’t mean that you don’t need protection from the sun’s burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
Always prepare an emergency kit when camping, whether you are going by yourself or with others. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. If you think there will be snakes, you might want to include antivenom.
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
Know the climate of your camping area. You will want to have the proper clothing packed for the trip. Knowing how cold the nights get or how hot the days are will help you dress best. You will not want to get caught in the great outdoors with inadequate protection.
When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.
You need to carry water that is clean if you will not have access to a safe spring or to clean tap water when you’re camping. You can either carry your own water in bottles or bring some iodine with you to sanitize nearby water. You can also use a water filter or boil water for around 10 minutes.
When you’re finished camping and ready to go home, you should pick up after yourself. Keeping nature clean and preserved can allow future campers to enjoy it too. Before you leave, clean up any messes, you’ve made at your site and try your best to leave nature as you originally found it.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don’t want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Never force anyone to go camping with you, including family or girlfriends. Some people just don’t enjoy being in nature, and they will be miserable and in turn, make you miserable as well. If your children are simply not interested, find a babysitter for the weekend and relax alone!
An excellent camping trip that absolutely everyone should use is to bring along some cotton balls that are soaked with Vaseline. These little balls make wonderful tinder when starting a fire as they burn for quite some time. Make sure to pack them up in a waterproof container though.
When you go camping, you are really doing a lot of things. You are being equal parts explorer, nature enthusiast and reveler. Use the tips in this article to make sure you make the most of every role you assume when you go camping, and have a great time out there!
