Whether this is the first time camping or you have been camping since you were a child, camping holds a special place in everyone’s heart. It’s a chance to get away to a simpler time and enjoy yourself. Here are some helpful camping tips in order to help you do that.
When going camping, make sure that you bring the right sleeping bag with you. Some sleeping bags will not keep you warm when the temperature dips below 40 degrees, while others will have you sweating all night long because they are too hot. The label on the bag usually will tell you what kinds of temperatures are appropriate for each sleeping bag.
Make sure that you get a tent that is big enough for you and whoever else is going to be inside the tent. This will ensure you are able to comfortably move around without disturbing people you are sharing your tent with.
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.
Be prepared for colder weather than expected when choosing a sleeping bag to bring on your camping trip. Always choose a sleeping bag rated for a temperature range just below what you’re expecting, even in the summertime. Also, sleeping bags made with synthetic fibers will dry out faster if it rains unexpectedly, but natural fiber sleeping bags will be lighter to carry.
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.
Do not dump any type of food waste on the ground. This is a great way to attract unwanted bugs and animals. The best way to get rid of excess food waste is to dump all of it into the fire pit. It is also not a good idea to bury them.
While camping seems synonymous with a campfire, that campfire doesn’t necessarily have to be made from wood. In fact, it might be safer and easier to use a portable campfire unit powered by propane. For the most part, these units are permitted unless there is a fire ban in place. Marshmallows taste just as good from these units as they do over an open, wood-burning fire, too.
One of the most important things to remember when camping is to keep yourself relaxed. The entire point of a camping trip is to get away, so if you are finding yourself stressed by something, leave it alone and go enjoy nature until you are able to calm down. This will keep you happy and safe.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
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.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don’t want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Never force anyone to go camping with you, including family or girlfriends. Some people just don’t enjoy being in nature, and they will be miserable and in turn, make you miserable as well. If your children are simply not interested, find a babysitter for the weekend and relax alone!
One great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along plenty of 550-cord. This cord is extremely useful for many things like staking guy-lines, installing tarp and hanging bear bags. It is always better to bring to much chord than too little and find that you really need it.
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.
Make it a habit to leave no sign of you having camped at a location. As a camper, you’re aware of how beautiful nature really is. It’s your job to help keep it that way. Take any trash with you to dispose of properly. Before you go, circle your camping ground a second time to look for any litter you may have missed.
Save any cardboard boxes and paper bags in the weeks leading up to your camping trip. You can use some of the the boxes to carry supplies, of course, but they are also great for starting fires. Laundry lint from your dryer screen also makes great kindling for a fire.
Having great gear is vital, so make sure that you do not forget to buy some high quality socks. Buy wool socks instead of those that are made of cotton. This is because cotton socks keep sweat on the skin. This is uncomfortable and it can cause bacteria to form.
Camping is a special time for anyone, regardless of how many times they have done it. You can really do some soul-searching and reflection at the same time you are having fun! So make sure you use the tips laid out here to give yourself a special experience and a pleasant time.
