There are many people who have thought about going camping for years, but have failed to do so because they don’t know anything about camping. If you are one of these people, then don’t worry. There is enough camping information in the following article that can have you in a tent in no time.
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don’t have to bunk with the adults.
When packing for your camping trip, do not forget chairs and a radio. One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire. You could sit on an old log, but why bother when you can pack chairs and be comfortable. The radio is for entertainment sitting around the fire. An even better idea is to bring your guitar for a sing along.
Try to get to the campsite well before nightfall. This allows you to get a feel for the lay of the land and gives you the opportunity to set up camp while you can still see what you are doing. In addition, it lets your children feel a little more comfortable with their surroundings because they will have time to explore.
Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.
If you have a new tent to take on your camping trip, you should set it up at home before you go on your camping trip. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. It’s a great way to avoid the frustration of having to set up a tent on site.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. A survival kit should consist of matches, first aid necessities a flare gun and a knife. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Never leave the kit behind, even for a short excursion.
Bring supplies for ‘Smores. ‘Smores are an integral part of any camping trip. Simply pack graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows, then make it the filling to a graham cracker/chocolate sandwich. When you have a ‘Smore, you will want ‘some more’–bring enough for everyone to have at least two of them!
Make sure you are aware of what hospitals are close to your campsite and how to get to them. While you don’t want to think about anything bad happening on your trip, it is a possibility. Certain injuries will necessitate a visit to the doctor, so it is best to know where to go before something happens, and you are in panic mode.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Take juice boxes, mini cereal boxes and fruit and tie the food to trees. Your children can then hunt these foods when they wake up. This adds a little sprinkle of adventure and excitement to any camping trip.
When it is time for you to go to sleep, it is a good idea to put the coolers that you brought along into your vehicle. Bears have become quite savvy these days and have figured out that these coolers usually carry food items and this will attract them to your campsite.
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. Don’t forget to pack the extra for your location, too, such as antivenom for snake bites.
Pour out any water that has accumulated in your freezer each day. You want to do this to prevent the ice inside from melting into the water. It is also a good idea because any contaminants that have entered the water from foods you have in, can be poured off.
Clean up thoroughly when leaving a campsite. Try your best not to leave any trace of you at the campsite you stayed in. This is important, not just in terms of being considerate of other people. There are animals and insects that continue to live in the woods after you have left, so think of them as well.
Be certain your camp fire is completely out before you leave a campsite. To your eye it may seem like the fire is gone, but stir the ashes with a stick and you may find burning embers. Pour enough water and keep stirring until you see no more embers in the fire pit.
A Swiss Army Knife is a tool that no camper should be without when camping. A Swiss Army Knife contains many useful tools including a screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, a screwdriver as well as a knife. This ingenious tool will come in handy many times during your camping trip.
Now that you know enough about camping, you should have no problem going on your first camping trip. You can finally stop wondering about camping and actually go outside and experience it. Just use the camping information you’ve read to guide you every step of the way and you should be fine.
