Few recreational activities rival camping for a sense of fun and freedom. Being in nature and having the opportunity to spend extended periods of time outdoors is incredible. If you want to start camping and seeing nature for yourself, then use following tips to give you a little guidance.
If you have bought a brand new tent in preparation for your camping trip, set it up at home first before you use it for camping. You can be sure there are no missing pieces and learn ahead of time the correct way to set your tent up. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.
Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn’t going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.
Pack a bandanna or handkerchief. These can be used for several things, like drying your hands or holding a hot pot. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.
To avoid blistered and chapped feet on your camping trip, bring a bar of soap along! Prior to any lengthy walk, rub the soap into the heals of your socks and this will minimize friction, thus reducing soreness. Keep the soap in your pocket for a quick dose when your feet start feeling beat-up or blistered.
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
While camping seems synonymous with a campfire, that campfire doesn’t necessarily have to be made from wood. In fact, it might be safer and easier to use a portable campfire unit powered by propane. For the most part, these units are permitted unless there is a fire ban in place. Marshmallows taste just as good from these units as they do over an open, wood-burning fire, too.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. You don’t want to take food with you that will spoil easily, no matter the length of time of your trip. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.
In this modern age, there is no excuse for being in the woods without some form of communication ability. Of course, no one likes to receive phone calls when they are relaxing, so leave your phone off but fully charged, just in case there is an emergency, and you need to contact someone.
When going on a camping trip, it is vital that you bring several lanterns and/or flashlights, as well as extra batteries with you. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark, or accidentally step on a wild critter. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don’t plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
Keep an eye on your children when you go camping. There are always cars arriving and leaving from campsites, and it is easy for little kids to get lost easily in wooded areas. It doesn’t take more than a minute for something unexpected to happen.
Are you planning on trying tent camping for the first time and want some help choosing the right tent? First of all, choose a tent where everyone has enough room to sleep comfortably with enough space left to stow your gear. Also, make sure your tent has sturdy tent poles, heavy-duty zippers and seams that are double sewn. It is also important to make sure your tent has rain protection. Choose a tent with a rain fly.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don’t want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Think about where to set up camp before you do. Areas with insect nests and breeding grounds should always be avoided when setting up. If you’re close to a lot of plants and things, long sleeved shirts and long pants should be worn to protect you from bugs. A strong bug spray is also something you want on hand, especially if the vegetation is very thick.
Ensure that you clean your campsite up whenever you finish using it. Pick up any piece of trash you can find. This is just common courtesy for the people who will be using it whenever you finish. You would want and expect the same thing in return from other people.
Never hike alone. It may sound juvenile, but always use the buddy system. It can be easy to get lost or turned around in nature. You could slip and hurt yourself. In instances like these, it is best to have someone along. Even if you have your cellphone handy, you may find it doesn’t get reception in the woods.
Camping is a unique adventure. The air, the scenery, and the feeling of nature are all amazing things to see while camping. So find a great destination, prepare yourself well and get outside to enjoy the world of camping!
