Camping is starting to become more popular because there are a lot of reality-based television shows centered in the outdoors. If you are one of these people, and you want an adventure outdoors to remember, read on and learn some of the right things to do.
As a courtesy to other campers, don’t leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
If your canteen is beginning to smell musty, you can give it a good cleaning with baking soda. Place a little bit of water in your canteen, and then add three tablespoons of baking soda. Shake gently, let it sit for sixty minutes, and then rinse with water. Your canteen will be refreshingly clean!
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
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.
On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you’re out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you’ll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.
When you are packing your clothing for a camping trip, remember that it is best to dress in layers. This way, you can add or remove clothing to make you more comfortable. Take along a rain coat that you can put on top of every other layer to keep you dry if it rains.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
You want to make sure that you don’t end up with drained flashlight batteries when you head out on your camping trip. Your flashlight’s power switch can be easily turned on by mistake while you search through your bag. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. You will be able to keep your battery life this way.
An orange peel may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re out camping. If you forgot your mosquito repellant, do not worry. Rub the white, pithy insides of the orange skin over your skin. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
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.
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The difference between a good and a bad trip is all affected by how well you prepare. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
A polite thing you can do for the campers who follow you is leaving wood for them. Think about how difficult it can be to find some wood if there is none on the campsite, especially when it is dark. So, be courteous to others and leave as much wood as you can.
One thing that many people forget to pack for their camping trips is the Sun-block. Even if you tan very well, there is no excuse not to protect you from the sun. In the short term, you will end up with a horrible burn, but in the long run it can give you serious problems with cancer.
Take a roll or two of duct tape on your next camping trip. Tents are generally well-made nowadays, but rips and tears do happen. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
Food safety is very important while you are camping. Pack food and drinks in airtight pouches and containers. Any perishable food should be stored in insulated coolers. Store raw food apart from cooked food to avoid contamination. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Cook foods to the right internal temperature and get foods that need to be cold chilled quickly.
Even if you have checked and double checked the weather forecast, take along an extra set of clothing. The weather forecasters are sometimes wrong and an unexpected rainstorm can leave your wet and uncomfortable. Dressing in layers allows you to be prepared for a range of temperatures. You can take items off as it warms up and put them back on as the temperature drops.
It is easy to see that many things should be considered when preparing to go camping. At this time however, you are ready to take on any challenge. So go out and have fun on your camping adventure!
