When done well, camping is among life’s true pleasures. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure alone or with friends and family, it is important to familiarize yourself with tried and true camping tips and advice. The article that follows offers just the start any burgeoning outdoors enthusiast might need to plan their next outing.
Try to get to the campsite well before nightfall. This allows you to get a feel for the lay of the land and gives you the opportunity to set up camp while you can still see what you are doing. In addition, it lets your children feel a little more comfortable with their surroundings because they will have time to explore.
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.
Use separate coolers for perishables, ice and drinks. While it does not matter if the perishables and drinks go into the same one, make sure to pack your ice separately. This will keep the temperature down so that you will have ice for much longer than you would have otherwise.
When planning for your camping trip, don’t forget to pack the sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn’t mean that you don’t need protection from the sun’s burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.
When you reach your campsite, the first thing, you should do is to start collecting wood for your fire. You won’t feel like it later on, and if you wait until dark you will have a harder time finding the kind of wood you need to keep a fire going. Do it right away.
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. When pitching a tent, locate dry and flat ground. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.
When collecting wood for a campfire, focus on three different sizes: the finger-size wood, that will catch fire right away, the arm-size wood that will keep it going, and the leg-size wood that will allow you to keep the fire going for a long time. Getting different sizes of wood helps you to start the fire and keep it going.
Are you just starting out in the world of camping? Long before you set off in the woods for the real thing, get some practice in on setting up the tent. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. This will help you set up camp in a hurry if you get to the site just before dark.
If you’re going camping with a pet, take them for a vet visit beforehand. Inform your veterinarian of where you plan to go camping. Get your pet updated on all their vaccinations and be sure they have protection against ticks, mites, and fleas. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of a pet.
Focus on safety during your trip. Educate yourself and the other members of your party about what you should do if you come across a wild animal. Learn as much as you can about bears and what to do in the event of an attack. Refresh your memory on snakebites. Hopefully, you won’t have to use this knowledge, but it is important that it is available to you.
When you have a campfire, be certain that someone is monitoring it at all times. Summer’s weather and dry campsites can be potentially hazardous conditions for fires in unwanted areas. Take turns watching the flames, and be sure to keep a bucket of water and dirt handy to put out any fires.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
Wear layered clothing to manage your body temperature. When camping, it is a hassle to have to change clothing when temperatures suddenly rise or drop. However, if you layer your clothing, you will be able to quickly and easily peel off or put on layers of clothing as the need arises.
If you have other people sleeping nearby your campsite, do not bother them by leave your awning lights on during the entire night. Instead, use a timer that you can set to turn the lights off after a certain time period. By doing this, you won’t bother others with your lights.
If you think a campsite right next to the bathrooms is ideal, think again. While this can seem convenient, it really isn’t. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. So, they may not have the comfort and convenience that they hoped for.
Look into the temperature rating of the sleeping bag you are considering. If you are not going to be camping in cold climates, you do not need one that is rated for the cold temperatures. Finding the sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough without cooking you will make a huge difference in your camping experience.
Camping offers just about anyone the opportunity to peacefully commune with nature. But, in order to have the type of experience you truly desire, it is necessary to possess a certain degree of understanding and know-how. With any luck, the guidance contained above has provided the foundation every camper needs to have a wonderful outdoor experience.
