Many people around the world will tell you that they live for camping trips. Camping is something that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. But camping can be a bummer if you show up to your camping destination without at least a little knowledge, though. Read on to get yourself prepared!
When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.
When you pack up your camp site to go home, leave a few logs and some kindling for the next camping group that comes along. If you have ever arrived at your site after dark, you know how tough it can be to find firewood! It’s a very nice pay-it-forward gesture that will probably help out more than you can imagine.
A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Make your children “hunt” them in the wild; like a great outdoorsman. It is a fun way to start the day and something for the kids to look forward to each morning.
The lint from the dryer actually is great to help start campfires. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.
Even if you’re not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you’re going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you’ll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.
Make sure you have a good chat with your children about basic camping dangers before you head away. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Many people are deterred from camping because they have to sleep on the ground, but you do not have to be uncomfortable when you go camping. Stop by the local drug store and purchase some inexpensive pool floats. These are far more comfortable than the ground to sleep on, and will keep you high and dry as well.
Just because your tent is labeled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
Understand how your food will be cooked. You need to consider how you are going to prepare all meals. Will you need charcoal? Perhaps you need a small propane tank. It can be difficult to cook every meal over an open fire; no matter, how much fun it might seem.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
Don’t let your children out of your sight. People may be driving around the campsites, and it’s also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they’re not familiar with an area. It doesn’t take more than a minute for something unexpected to happen.
Always bring a survival kit and a full first aid kit with you. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. This precaution can prevent loss of life and give you the time you need to get needed medical assistance in case of injury.
A great tool to take whenever you go camping is duct tape. Duct tape is a very versatile tool that can be used from anything to mend broken tent poles, to patching up tent holes, all the way to serving as a band aide if you get a cut.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose is the correct one. For example, in the summertime, a lighter bag will keep you cool. When it’s cold, you need to have a sleeping bag that will handle sub zero temperatures.
If you want an exciting camping trip from start to finish, plan your activities. There is so much more to camping than just roasting marshmallows. Plan activities that create fun for everyone at the campsite. You should plan activities that both the older campers and younger campers alike will enjoy.
When you plan a camping trip with your family, take along extra clothing and bedding in case the weather turns cold or rainy. Check the weather forecast of the area you intend to travel to before you plan your trip, and make sure you have a weather radio along so you know of any alerts.
As mentioned previously, it’s important to have a little knowledge about camping. But you can now use the advice shared here with you to ensure that you are ready for any curve balls during your trip. Print out this information if you need to, and refer to it often. Have a great trip!
