When you go camping, you probably can not order a pizza or just run a few minutes down to the store. You have to make sure that you have everything ready before you leave. To have some ideas of what to pack and what to expect on your camping trip, keep reading.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.
Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.
Navigation is the key when it comes to camping. It is important to know where you are, and how to get back to civilization if you become lost. Always bring a map of the area, and a compass to help you. You can also use an outdoor GPS that will give you navigation information, as well as additional information such as altitude.
Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you’ve set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it’s much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.
Prior to heading out, be sure you are aware of the forecast for your destination. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. This will help you prepare by having the right clothes and equipment.
Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Each camping spot poses its own dangers.
Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.
Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. Some people fear dogs. It is important that you respect others while you are camping. Additionally, your dog could really destroy anyone’s campsite if left on his own, including yours.
On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you’re out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you’ll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.
Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. You should bring your sleeping bag, plus some extra blankets. That way, you will be prepared for an unexpected chill, or you can have a softer place to sleep.
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
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.
Especially if you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you know how to get ice. Ice melts rather fast, and you’re going to need more. Sometimes you can buy ice at the campsite, or sometimes at a store, but there are times when ice isn’t so close to where you’re camping.
Be aware of the wildlife where you are setting up camp. You do not want to set up in a place where the opossums, racoons and skunks have already called home. Learn the signs of the animals so you can find a safe place to set up camp without worrying as much about these animals at night.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. Although modern tents are more durable than older ones, you still may tear your tent. A little duct tape can means you can still sleep dry through a rainy night.
Learn how to mark the trails that you are exploring. It can be quite easy to get lost in the woods. Marking the trails that you are walking will make it easy to find your way back to camp. It can also help others find you if you get lost.
You need to be fully prepared for anything when you go camping. Now that you have read the ideas in this article, you can be truly prepared to do just this. Keep in mind all that you have read both in the days leading up to your trip and while you are in the great outdoors.
