Have you been thinking about going camping for a long time now? What has been holding you back? Is it the lack of knowledge? Well go ahead and read this article so that you know what it takes to enjoy yourself on a nice weekend camping trip with the whole family.
Oranges are not only a healthy snack to take on a camping trip, but they are also versatile when used as a mosquito repellent. After you’ve eaten the flesh of the fruit, save all the peels. When you need bug repellant, rub the peels on your skin to repel mosquitos naturally and on the cheap!
When you go camping, be sure to have a few activities in mind other than just… “camping”. The camping experience is enriched by hiking, swimming, exploring and things like that. Be sure to engage in some of these other activities so that you have the fullest camping experience you’ve ever had.
Cross contamination is not an issue that only affects people that cook at home. When you are cooking outdoors, you still have to worry about not using the same cutting board to cut meat that you do to cut any other foods. If you only have one board, use both sides.
Prepare some of the food ahead of time so you will not have to mess around with it at the camp site. Make up some sandwiches, precook the pasta and take along foods that can be eaten as is to make each meal less tedious. Other meals can be enjoyable to prepare in the woods, but some should be ready to go on the days the weather is not perfect.
Before you even leave your camping trip, try practicing pitching a tent in your backyard or some other open space. People do not know how difficult pitching a tent can be; you do not want to get to camp and realize you have no idea what you are doing. Practice makes perfect!
Pack lanterns, flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. If you are bringing children on your trip, it’s a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Make sure to watch your children very closely. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. It only takes a second for something to happen, so make sure that your children always have the supervision that they need.
A great tip for anyone that is going camping is to take plenty of water. In this case, there is absolutely no such thing as too much water. Plan out how much water you will need and then try and at least double the amount just to be on the safe side.
Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper’s tool chest. Don’t worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!
A great tool to take whenever you go camping is duct tape. Duct tape is a very versatile tool that can be used from anything to mend broken tent poles, to patching up tent holes, all the way to serving as a band aide if you get a cut.
Many people fail to plan properly in order to ensure that they get a good night’s sleep when camping. The temperature difference between the ground and your body can be quite different, even if the weather is warm. Make sure you bring the proper sleeping gear to make your evening comfortable for you.
Many people forget to set up shelter before night falls. It is much more difficult to pitch your tent after dark. If you wait until dark to pitch your tent, you will need to build a fire or light several lanterns to ensure you can see to pitch your tent correctly. It will obviously be much easier to pitch your tent if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.
Master a map and a compass before heading out for your trip. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don’t have access to first aid.
Make sure you have fun activities planned beforehand. Campfire songs and roasting marshmallows aren’t the only fun things to do while camping. Be creative and think of activities that will be fun for each family member. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
When you are camping, it is vital to make sure tent has good ventilation and stays dry. Condensation can form when you perspire and breathe in a completely sealed tent. Too much condensation can lead to you waking up soaked with water. Make sure to purchase a tent that has vents or windows that can be opened to stop moisture from becoming a problem.
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.
You and your family are in for many good times ahead. Once you take the whole family out to go camping it will make you want to go camping all the time. This is a good thing for you guys, because the outdoors is always a good experience to live through.
