Vacations provide a time to relax, with a camping trip being an exciting option. If you want to maximize your enjoyment next time you go camping, read on. They will offer great advice you can put to good use on your outdoor adventure!
Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don’t have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing’s together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.
If you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
Keep the needs of your family in mind before selecting a destination. For example, if you have a baby or toddler, it may be best to stick close to home in case things don’t go as planned. If you have teenagers, however, you may enjoy traveling to a different state. Choose what is best for you!
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.
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!
Pack and carry a survival kit on your person for the entire trip. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. If you don’t take it with you on excursions it will serve you no good.
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don’t want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
Practice makes perfect when pitching a tent. Take the time to put the tent up before leaving for your trip. This allows you to build your proficiency at erecting the tent, and will also help locate any issues with the tent in case you need to exchange it for a better option.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
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.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid. The tend to absorb ambient moisture and grow mildew as well. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
Save space in your bag by leaving mixing spoons and containers behind, and instead just bring plastic zip-lock bags. Place the foods or liquids that you want to mix in the bag, and ensure that the zipper is well closed before mixing. Not only do the bags take up considerably less space than bowls and spoons, but they’re much more lightweight as well!
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. Just a little food poisoning can turn a camping trip upside down. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.
Camping can be much more enjoyable and easier when you have good advice. This article should have given you exactally what you needed. Enjoy your much needed time off more, by following the advice of this article on your next camping outing and thoroughly enjoying all the amazement that nature has to offer.
