Something as seemingly simple as camping might seem as though little planning is necessary. This is not the case. The better planning you do, the more fun you can have. The tips below will help you in finding the best plan for your next camping trip so you are prepared for anything.
When going camping, you must make sure that you keep a list of all of the supplies that you plan to bring. You have to make sure you include everything that you will need on your trip. This is the best way to make sure that you don’t forget something for your trip.
Water is critical for your survival when hiking in the backcountry. Carry water purification tablets with you or some sort of water filter that is capable of filtering out bacteria. There are many different kinds available at your local sporting goods store. Whenever you are looking for a water source, make sure the water is flowing; stagnant water can kill you if not treated properly.
Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.
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!
Enroll in a first aid course, especially if your trip will include kids. This way, if someone were to have an accident, you’ll possess enough knowledge to deal with it enough until medical help arrives. Be sure to do some research as well. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
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.
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
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.
Make sure that you bring all of your camping equipment with you before you head out on your trip. You certainly don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Therefore, double check everything before you leave home.
Just because your tent is labeled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
When planning a camping trip, be sure to plan on getting to your campsite before dark. This way you will have daylight in order to set up camp, check out your site for dangers, such as broken glass, dangerous tree branches and other potential dangers or problems that can be fixed before bedtime.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
When camping out, you’re going to have bugs. Some of them are fine, and some of them; you don’t want them around you. To limit the amount of bugs you must deal with, keep your campsite clean. Bees and ants are attracted to sugary soda cans and messes, so dispose of your trash immediately.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
When you go camping, try to pitch a tent in an area that is directly in a spot where the morning sun will beam. This is a great idea since it can get very cold in the forest. It will make your tent a little warmer so you can sleep a bit more comfortably.
Always inform friends and family of your camping trip and location. Make sure to establish contact numbers and pertinent information on how to find you should something untoward occur. When you have a safety net like this in place, it will allow you to relax on your trip, knowing help can always find you.
On your next camping trip, take along some empty prescription bottles. These can be used to store a lot of small items for a low price. One good use of them is to help keep your matches safe and dry. The matches will fit in perfectly, and they are fairly leak-proof, so you won’t have to worry about the contents when it rains.
You should now see how much planning actually needs to be put into a great camping trip. Now that you know, you should begin preparing for a trip in which you are ready for anything. Follow this guide and you will soon be camping under the stars and having a great time.
