There are not many things in life that can top spending a few nights under the moon and stars with people that you love. Camping is a memorable and relaxing pastime. That said, in order to ensure that your camping trip is fun and enjoyable, you do need to take a few things into consideration when planing such a trip. This article will prepare you for a wonderful camping experience with some tried and true advice!

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.

Those big, colorful plastic storage bins make excellent places to store and organize all of your camping gear. While at home, keep it in a closet or the garage and right before you leave for your camping trip, pop it in the trunk. It should keep everything air-tight, dry and easily accessible.

Camping provides the inevitable experience that you, your family and most of your possessions will probably get dirty. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Just have fun. Relax, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.

Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.

Bring a first aid kit. Camping is fun. It can also be a bit dangerous. Always be prepared. Small scrapes and rashes can be especially common out in nature. Bring along an emergency first aid kit full of anything you might need. You’ll be happy you did if something goes wrong.

Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.

Take the time to get a map and to get to know the land. This will help prevent you from getting lost, and to help you figure out how to navigate around your camping grounds throughout your entire trip. This is a good idea to help save time and worry for you.

If you’re bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it’s wearing its tags. Losing track of a pet can be heartbreaking. Make sure your dog is wearing its dog license and an ID with contact information before you leave on your trip. Neglecting to do so can have tragic consequences.

If you haven’t camped before, then now is not the time to start being a hermit. Ask an experienced friend to go with you and show you the ropes. As you become more advanced in the hobby you can start to take small and then larger trips alone and get your hermitude on.

Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light-colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check your body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.

You should carry a survival knife on your camping trips. This portable knife can be used for hunting, for protection, and for a signal if you need help. You need to carry one that is durable, so try to invest in a quality knife from an outdoor goods or camping store.

When it comes to tents, you should understand that bigger is not always better. Keep in mind that you are going to have to drag your tent to the campsite. To make sure that your tent is not too large for you to haul and set up, test it out at your home first.

People who don’t pack food correctly risk food poisoning. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Bring a lot of ice in order to keep perishables fresh. Keep the drain open so your food does not end up in a pool of water.

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.

If you plan on camping, you should bring along shoes that can get wet. Shower shoes, slip-ons, water shoes, or flip-flops that you don’t mind getting wet work best. These can easily be used to walk around a shared shower facility, go to the bathroom at night, go to a swimming hole, or even a pool. They’re easy to put on and take off anytime you need.

Bring along multiple methods for starting a campfire when car camping. Furthermore, be sure to keep them packed in different areas so you’ll have a spare on hand if one gets wet or lost. For instance, you can pack a waterproof lighter in a backpack, some matches with your cookware, and some dry kindling in your trunk.

Make sure to bring inside activities. Be ready in case inclement weather shows up. You may end up spending a lot of time indoors if it rains. This does not have to ruin your trip. Bringing along books, magazines or even coloring books for children can help everyone pass the time until the weather calms again.

There are several things to keep in mind when considering camping. Be sure to use these tips on your trip in order to enjoy a safe trip with your loved ones.