When you go camping, you need the proper equipment to be fully prepared. There are many companies and stores that will try to sell you the most expensive equipment for your camping needs, but you shouldn’t listen to them. There is affordable camping equipment out there, and this article will show you what it is and how to find it.

Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.

Always take a fully stocked first-aid kit when you venture out on a camping trip. You can put together your own kit with bandages, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, anti bacteria cream and antiseptic wipes in a sturdy container. You can also buy one of the many excellent ready-made kits to save time.

Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.

Oranges will not only fill you up, but they’ll keep mosquitoes away. Rubbing orange peels on your body will function as a perfect insect repellent.

It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. If you have a tent, carefully select the plot of land you are going to use. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.

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.

Be certain your camp fire is completely out before you leave a campsite. To your eye it may seem like the fire is gone, but stir the ashes with a stick and you may find burning embers. Pour enough water and keep stirring until you see no more embers in the fire pit.

Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.

Make sure you observe the campground rules and regulations. One of the biggest concerns is trash and also noisiness within a campsite. People often think that people can’t hear them, but noise travels far in a campsite. It is extremely difficult to have any privacy, especially when people are supposed to be observing quiet hours.

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.

Bring activities for you to have fun with while camping. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you’ll need.

Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. You can also use it to patch up a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. It can also be used in lieu of bandages.

Are you a beginning camper and have just purchased your first tent? 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 also means that you can do it rather easily and speedily when you get to your campsite, meaning your tent might be up before the sun is totally gone.

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.

Part of the fun of camping is cooking over an open fire or on a camp stove. To make sure you don’t forget to pack any key ingredients, make a list of the meals you plan on preparing. Don’t forget to take a small cutting board along with you so you have a clean surface for food preparation. Also remember to pack a couple of potholder or oven mitts to handle hot utensils, such as marshmallow forks.

Know where your kids are at all times. Kids love to explore in the woods and they can very easily get lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.

The next time you decide to go on a camping trip, don’t be fooled by all of the ads and sales jargon by stores and companies. Don’t be suckered into breaking the bank in order to buy camping equipment. Use this article to get the reliable and affordable camping equipment you need and have fun.