The joys of camping! Camping is one of the best things a family, couple, or group of friends can experience. Camping can be fun as well as exciting, offering a wide range of possibilities, but one must prepare well for such a trip. Look at this article to take advantage of your time camping.
Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.
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.
Duct tape is a valuable item to carry for many different situations. It can fix so many different things, holes, leaks and just about anything else that arises.
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.
When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don’t like camping. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.
Choose your campsite carefully. The location in which you’re camping can make all the difference. Do plenty of research before you make any plans. What is the weather like? Does the campsite have specific rules? How crowded will the campsite be? Poor planning can make for a miserable camping experience.
Keep the environment in mind when you are at your campsite. Enjoying nature is one of the main benefits of camping, so it is important to respect the Earth. Throw away all your trash, and don’t get too rowdy. You can even bring along a solar-powered device if you have one to use.
Take some time to find the right sleeping bag for the climate conditions at your campsite. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. It doesn’t take much time for something to occur, so be sure your kids are properly supervised.
Take along a battery operated radio when camping. A radio will keep you up-to-date on any late-breaking news and weather reports. A radio will also give you entertainment during those quiet evenings sitting around the campfire. Or if you prefer, pack a guitar for you and your campers’ enjoyment.
You can have the relaxing camping trip of your dreams, or you can have the disastrous camping trip of your nightmares. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
Pack glow sticks. It gets dark out in nature. If you’re just waking up in the middle of the middle of the night, the light from a flashlight or lantern can be too harsh. Bring glow sticks and keep them in an easily accessible location. These will provide a softer light.
Having an item that provides illumination is very useful for a camping trip. Bring a flashlight is crucial. Since the batteries can run out at any time, you should pack some extra ones in an airtight container. You may also want to carry a small LED torch and a flare gun to be prepared for any dark situations.
Stick with food safety when you camp. Use bags that are airtight and your containers should be waterproofed. Keep food in insulated coolers. Cooked food should be kept separate from raw in order to prevent cross-contamination. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before you prepare your food. Always cook and store foods at the proper temperatures.
Practice campfire safety. Make sure your fire pit is not built near any tree branches that hangover. Keep the pit enclosed with either a ring of rocks or a metal ring. Keep shovels and a bucket of water near the fire at all times. Never leave your campfire unattended and completely put it out prior to leaving.
A shower curtain that is past its prime is a quick and inexpensive tarp for placement under your tent. It could also be used as a base for a cooking or washing area, where you can easily control all the run-off. Instead of throwing out old shower curtains, keep them around for your next camping trip.
Even though camping is an often mentioned vacation activity, if you do not plan right for your trip the experience can turn into a negative one. This article should have taught you what you should know to have a truly memorable camping trip.
