Camping is booming in popularity right now, and this might be due in large part to the plethora of reality television shows feature the great outdoors. Check out the solid advice and helpful tips below if you are one of those who are ready for a trip into the great outdoors.
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.
As a courtesy to other campers, don’t leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
At night, create “bear bags.” Tie a rope around the bags with your food and your trash. Then, find a tree and toss bags over a branch, raising until they are at least seven or eight feet off the ground. Tie the rope around the tree so it is secure. This way, bears and other animals will not be able to get into your food and trash during the night.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don’t want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
Carry a bandana or handkerchief with you. That small piece of cloth could become a potholder, a bag, a blotter or a towel. There are many uses for these, so you want to be sure you have one or both of them on your next camping trip.
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.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Use a check list that you can use to double check, to be sure that you have everything before you leave home.
Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. This involves finding out which spiders are dangerous, whether flash floods are commonplace and whether there are any sheer drops nearby. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.
Many people who are not very experienced with camping start out by doing day trips. This can be a great way to adjust to nature without the dangers associated with staying in the woods all night. The best way to do is to find a simple hotel near the campground, but only for sleeping purposes.
Bring all of the essentials that you will need while camping. If you forget a few things, your trip may just get ruined. Making a list and checking things off is a good way to remember everything. Some things you should bring include your tent, sleeping bag, tarp, lots of water, a utility knife, already-made food, soap or hand sanitizer and items to start a fire.
When you are purchasing your camping supplies, spend a little extra on the better supplies. If you buy the better quality products, you will only have to buy these things once. After you have them bought, camping can be a very affordable way to get away from home for a weekend.
A Frisbee is a great toy to take for entertainment when camping. It is easy to pack and fun. But in addition to its use as a game, it is also a great way to strengthen a paper plate. Just place the plate into the middle of the Frisbee at meal times and the plate will not collapse no matter how big your hamburger.
If you have other people sleeping nearby your campsite, do not bother them by leave your awning lights on during the entire night. Instead, use a timer that you can set to turn the lights off after a certain time period. By doing this, you won’t bother others with your lights.
Be careful and wise when you are packing. Compile a checklist of things that you need for your trip, then check the items off on the list as you add them to your bags. This is something you should strive to do if you are camping in a secluded spot, away from first-aid or emergency amenities.
Talk to everyone in your next camping party about the health of their backs. Some might not be able to sleep on hard ground or need more than a standard mat or cushion. Also, portable or foldable stools might be needed around the campfire, as constant standing or sitting on the ground is not good for their spine.
It should be clear to you now that you have plenty of different issues to consider when you prepare for a camping trip. However, you are now armed with the knowledge you need to tackle any topics that come up. Being forewarned you can now enjoy your trip away and have a lot of fun on your next camping vacation!
