When done well, camping is among life’s true pleasures. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure alone or with friends and family, it is important to familiarize yourself with tried and true camping tips and advice. The article that follows offers just the start any burgeoning outdoors enthusiast might need to plan their next outing.
When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.
To increase your sleeping experience while camping, bring a pad along that you can place under your sleeping bag. This pad acts as a barrier between you and the hard ground where twigs and tree knots may cause strange sleeping conditions. If a pad isn’t handy, bring a few extra blankets that you can fold over on themselves to create some cushion.
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.
Always take more water than you think you will use when you go on a camping trip. Many times, people forget how much water is needed. It is used for drinking, washing dishes and hands, cooking and even brushing your teeth. Water is not something you want to be without.
Camping is definitely a fun time, but there might also be uninvited guests at your campsite. Who are these guests? Bugs! This is their environment and they like camping, too. Make sure you have bugged repellent with you to tell them to stay at their own campsite or to go visit other campers who weren’t quite as prepared as you were.
Take a luxury item with you when camping. Bring an interesting book, some luxurious candy or even a nice fluffy pillow. Don’t bring any items that are heavy, though. These small treats for yourself can really boost morale.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. You can patch holes in your tent, your mattress or your shoes, or secure your tent poles, seal mosquito netting and much, much more.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. They may also get mildew from all the moisture outside. Pillows made specifically for camping have a protective layer that keeps these things from happening.
Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. You may need to be able to see in front of you after sunset at some points during your trip. A flashlight can prevent a fall and scare away unwanted wildlife. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. This is particularly useful if you will be camping somewhere far from where you live.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Consider taking along a few garbage bags so you have a place for all your trash. Don’t leave any food behind either. Leave only your footprints should be your motto as you clean your camp.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose for your camping trip is right for the time of year and all the weather it brings. During summer, lighter bags are the rule, allowing you to maintain your cool. Conversely, during the winter you need to choose a heavy bag.
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.
Sunscreen is essential for a camping trip. Guarding your skin against the sun is important. Locate a sunscreen that gives you the best protection. You may also want to consider a sunscreen that keeps bugs away too. This will keep your pack light and save you time.
Whenever you set up your tent, make sure you first check for wasp nests. The last thing you want to do is have your tent set up and be attacked by wasps. If you are stuck out in the wilderness, then being attacked by numerous wasps can even be life-threatening. So, be smart and thoroughly inspect the area for any wasp nests.
Camping offers just about anyone the opportunity to peacefully commune with nature. But, in order to have the type of experience you truly desire, it is necessary to possess a certain degree of understanding and know-how. With any luck, the guidance contained above has provided the foundation every camper needs to have a wonderful outdoor experience.
