If you love to spend time outdoors, taking in everything that nature has to offer, then give camping a try. The following article has guidelines for what you should be doing and planning for before and during your big trip. If you are prepared, camping is great fun and worth the effort you put into it.
When going camping, you must make sure that you keep a list of all of the supplies that you plan to bring. You have to make sure you include everything that you will need on your trip. This is the best way to make sure that you don’t forget something for your trip.
If you are traveling with children, give them the opportunity to assist you when you get to the campground. They can carry gear, support you as you set up the tent and look for firewood. Not only will it keep them busy and out of trouble, it will be fun for them as well.
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.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire’s glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don’t want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. With enough room, getting up during the night will not disturb others in the tent, and you can all be comfortable while sleeping.
Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you’ve set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it’s much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.
If you are camping and the weather is starting to rise significantly, tale the coolers that you have with you and put them somewhere in the shade. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. This will keep the temperature inside the cooler from rising too much.
If you’re camping with your family, try finding campsites that are pet-friendly. This is a great way for you to get your animals out in the fresh air. Your kids will be happy to have your animals there with you, so it can be a great experience for all of you.
When you go camping, be sure to have a few activities in mind other than just… “camping”. The camping experience is enriched by hiking, swimming, exploring and things like that. Be sure to engage in some of these other activities so that you have the fullest camping experience you’ve ever had.
Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. You can use to help seal leaks and rips and hold together important things that break. It can hold your shoes together if they fall apart, and you can even use it in case of emergencies for a temporary bandage or sling.
Buy yourself some camping pillows for your trip. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it’s hot outside. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Make sure you have cover in case of rain. When you’re out in the woods, a rainstorm can be wet, cold and uncomfortable. Make sure you have some kind of protection against the rain, whether it be a tent, cabin or lean-to. In a pinch, you can use a garbage bag as a poncho!
If you are traveling to a place with an abundance of animals, make sure you are prepared with respect to food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. This helps lower your attack risk.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
Pack extra flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. There are times when you’ll need light to help you see after sundown. 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.
Bring along a sleeping bag made for the current weather. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. A good sleeping bag will cling to the human body and help it to retain as much body heat as possible.
Beef jerky and trail mix are great foods to bring on your camping trip. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. These snacks should preserve for a good while, so there’s no wasting involved if they aren’t eaten.
As you have read from the above article, camping is a great way to spend relaxing time outdoors. By following the tips outlined, you will be ready for most of what nature has to throw at you. Even that sudden downpour won’t dampen your spirits or ruin the special time you had planned so hard for.
