Camping can be a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. It can also be an experience that you would give anything to forget. If you properly plan for your trip, it will turn out great. Use the following tips to prepare for your next camping trip to make it one you want to remember.
A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.
Remember that everything you bring will get dirty on your trip. Don’t stress out when it inevitably happens. Have fun on your trip and don’t worry about getting messy; it happens. You can return to being clean and civilized when you’re at home.
Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.
Before you bring your dog along for a camping trip, get him used to the idea with a little practice run in the back yard. Pitch the tent in an already familiar area, and let him sleep or play in it for a while. Bringing a dog can really add to the fun of camping, so long as the animal has been adequately prepared for the event.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Semper paratus doesn’t just apply to the military! Be prepared!
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Start collecting lint from the filter in your tumble dryer several weeks before your camping adventure. Simply hang a plastic bag near the dryer and stash the lint in the bag as it collects. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Collect more wood than you think you are going ot need. Unless you go camping every day, you probably don’t have an accurate idea of what “enough wood” actually looks like. You can always leave the extra wood in a pile as a gift for anyone that uses the campsite after you.
There are many items in terms of camping equipment that you should bring on your trip. You can not afford to forget an important item like your sleeping bag or your tent. In order to ensure that this does not happen, make a checklist before you head out and cross off the items as you pack them.
If you are taking your children camping with you, don’t forget to take walkie talkies along with you. Although each of you may own a cell phone, the area where you are camping may not have adequate coverage. It is best to invest in walkie talkies that have a range of several miles. By having walkie talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) radio, you can remain in contact with all members of your family.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. Be sure your list includes the tent and sleeping bags, as well as food items and personal hygiene items.
When planning a camping trip, be sure to plan on getting to your campsite before dark. This way you will have daylight in order to set up camp, check out your site for dangers, such as broken glass, dangerous tree branches and other potential dangers or problems that can be fixed before bedtime.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
Orange peels may protect you from mosquitoes. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Rub the inner peel of an orange over your body as mosquitoes will refrain from biting you. You should be mosquito free for hours.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
If you are going camping with a tent you have never used before, put it up in your backyard before you leave. When you get to your campsite, it might be dark and raining, and you might have to go on feel and memory pitching the thing. So, it helps to have done it at least once before.
Now that you have a good idea about how to plan for your camping trip, you can start planning and packing. Explore the wonders that nature has provided you to enjoy. Keep your camera ready! You are going to want to capture as many memories as possible on your next camping excursion.
