There are very few activities that one can engage in that will give one the same great feelings that one will experience during a camping adventure. You simply cannot beat the crisp clean air and the stunning offerings of the natural world. If camping is something you have been wanting to try, make use of the tips that follow in order to get started.
It is important to establish and set up your shelter before the sun goes down. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
If you’d like to prevent mosquito bites, but want to avoid using harsh chemicals, use an orange peel instead. Rub the orange peel over exposed areas of the skin, such as the neck, arms, face and legs to naturally repel mosquitoes. Not only will the orange peels feel better on your skin than traditional repelling chemicals, but they will smell better, too!
Make sure your tent is of ample size. A bigger tent means easier movement, which can be useful when you have to urinate at night.
A bandanna or a handkerchief can be beneficial to bring on your trip. Not only can it keep the hair out of your eyes, it can also be a sack to carry things, a towel to dry your hands or a potholder to grab your coffee pot from the fire. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Standard bed pillows tend to get sticky in humid weather. Because they absorb moisture from the air, they can quickly mildew. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.
It is important to have a flashlight when you camp, but make sure the batteries are fully charged. One way to be sure the batteries don’t accidentally drain on the journey is to put them into the flashlight backwards. That way if the switch is accidentally engaged, they stay charged. Plus, you know where the batteries are.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.
Do not underestimate the power of Duct tape It is an essential tool when you camp, so make sure it is in your box of “essentials.” Duct tape can be used to repair tent poles, patch shoes, fix holes in mosquito netting, as well as many other things. Duct tape is a life saver.
Surprisingly, orange peels make a great mosquito repellent on outdoor adventures. If you arrive at your camping destination and realize you’ve forgotten to pack bug repellant, fear not. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
If you are camping with young children, make sure you plan activities for them and bring them toys to play with. You may be fine with a book on the picnic blanket, but children need more to keep them occupied. Don’t forget to keep travel games in mind, also.
Practice tying different kinds of knots, building fires and sharpening knives before you head out for your camping adventure. Knowing how to do these essential things ahead of time will save you from having to learn them on-site. Plus, you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself during your camping trip.
Practice campfire safety. Make sure your fire pit is not built near any tree branches that hangover. Keep the pit enclosed with either a ring of rocks or a metal ring. Keep shovels and a bucket of water near the fire at all times. Never leave your campfire unattended and completely put it out prior to leaving.
You won’t find many life experiences that rival camping. Through camping, you can see and feel every aspect of nature. By using the tips featured above, you will be able to plan an awesome camping trip to any destination of your choosing.
