Camping is a fun activity that can take you out of the “real world”. Camping gives you the opportunity to experience nature firsthand and temporarily forget about all of your worries. For your next camping trip, take advantage of some of the helpful ideas found in the article below.
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don’t have to bunk with the adults.
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it’s very cold.
When you are planning a camping adventure, make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for your trip. Check the weather forecast and bring the clothing that will be needed on your trip. If it is going to be cold, make sure you have the appropriate coats, gloves, and shoes. Remember to also pack a rain poncho no matter what the weather forecast predicts.
Research any potential campground well. They all have different amenities. Some may have showers and bathrooms, while others may not. There are even a few campgrounds that are quite fancy, with onsite miniature golf games or water parks. You may not need or want all that, so figure it out ahead of time so that you are not disappointed when you get there.
A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.
Know what is available in the area around your campsite. You may get lucky and have beautiful weather the entire time. However, you may also face inclement weather, too. Have a backup plan in case you need a diversion. This is particularly crucial if you have kids, but adults need a little entertainment as well!
Take a first aid class, particularly if you are traveling with children. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Be sure to research beforehand. It is also best to know what exists in the area you will be in so that you can prepare for that as well.
If you are camping and the weather is starting to rise significantly, tale the coolers that you have with you and put them somewhere in the shade. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. This will keep the temperature inside the cooler from rising too much.
Make sure you buy a tent that is big enough for your needs. Many people find themselves crowded in a tent for no reason. Tents are lightweight and very compact, so there is no reason not to have enough space when you buy a tent. Make sure you’re buying for comfort.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. When pitching a tent, locate dry and flat ground. It is much easier to do these things during the day, and you can become familiar with the area. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Bring enough food and snack items to last you throughout the whole trip. You don’t want to spend your time going to get food every meal, enjoy yourself while you are camping. Bring cereal, hot dogs, and all of your other favorite food items that will fuel you throughout your trip.
Even if you’re not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you’re going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you’ll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.
Always have all your gear prepared before the trip. You can not afford to forget an important item like your sleeping bag or your tent. Use a check list that you can use to double check, to be sure that you have everything before you leave home.
If you have a young child with you, do the math in advance with respect to how much baby food or formula they will need. Make sure you have supplies for them that will last the entire length of your trip. There are no guarantees that a store near your campsite will have these items or will have the type of items that you want.
When you select the location for your tent, be sure that it is the right place. The ground should be level and do what you can to avoid setting it up at the bottom of a hill. This will help you keep it dry if the weather should turn bad.
You need to carry water that is clean if you will not have access to a safe spring or to clean tap water when you’re camping. You can either carry your own water in bottles or bring some iodine with you to sanitize nearby water. You can also use a water filter or boil water for around 10 minutes.
Going camping is a wonderful way to use your time. It enables you to leave the hectic real world and be one with nature. The tips shared in this article can help you turn your next camping trip out into nature a great and rewarding time you won’t soon forget.
