There are so many things to think about when it comes to camping, it can seem like there is too much to handle when you try and go camping. Yet once you break it down, it isn’t all that difficult to plan out a camping trip, you can learn that ahead.
Always pack and carry a survival kit. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.
Before you start out on that relaxing camping trip, it is essential for your safety to make sure to let someone know you are going. Give a friend or neighbor the name of the campsite if you are using one. If you are headed out on a less structured trip, give your contact a general idea of where you are headed and a timeline for your return. If something goes wrong, there will be someone to know where to look for you.
Before you bring your dog along for a camping trip, get him used to the idea with a little practice run in the back yard. Pitch the tent in an already familiar area, and let him sleep or play in it for a while. Bringing a dog can really add to the fun of camping, so long as the animal has been adequately prepared for the event.
Set your campsite, tent and sleeping bags up before it gets dark. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
Duct tape is a valuable item to carry for many different situations. It is great for patching your tent, repairing your shoes, fixing your insect netting and various other tasks.
Take the time to get a map and to get to know the land. This will help prevent you from getting lost, and to help you figure out how to navigate around your camping grounds throughout your entire trip. This is a good idea to help save time and worry for you.
Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. Flashlights will come in very handy when it is dark. Having enough light can prevent nasty falls or unwanted encounters with wildlife. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don’t plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
The best tip in camping is to decide where you are going to camp and who is going to camp with you before you go. You need to pack for everyone and make sure there are facilities available. If you add any additional people at the last minute, you need to add additional food and supplies for them.
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.
A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don’t have access to first aid.
How will you prepare your food at the campsite? Prior to leaving, decide which cooking method you will be using so that you can pack the supplies you will need. Cooking over a fire sounds romantic but may not be practical, especially if you don’t have the right equipment.
Bring a few Frisbees with you next time you go camping. Not only will they give you something to do, but they are helpful, too. Use a Frisbee to help you hold your paper plate. It will give it the structure that it needs, and it will be a lot stronger.
If your trip is going to pull you down to a nearby stream, lake, or moving river, handle your “business” downstream; no one wants that to float by their fishing pole! This will allow you to be sure that the water that’s going near your campsite doesn’t contain anything that could make you sick. Relieve yourself a good distance away from your tent so that you do not have to worry about it affecting your area.
Bring a fire starter log with you on your camping trip. These logs are made to help you start fires and it can make it much easier for you to get your camp fire going. You simply place it in the fire pit with a few twigs and it will help you start your fire without a lot of effort.
Getting to know what there is to know about camping is a good thing to have in your head. Even if you aren’t going to plan out a camping trip any time soon, it is at least a good idea to make sure that you know what it does take to go camping for future advice.
