With the large number of reality shows about outdoor life on TV, it is no wonder that camping is becoming more and more popular these days. Check out the solid advice and helpful tips below if you are one of those who are ready for a trip into the great outdoors.
If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.
Particularly, if you have children, you need to consider what to do if you have inclement weather one day. Gather together a few supplies to have on hand in case you need to stay in your tent. Bring a board game, play doh and art supplies. Don’t let your family members touch these items until it rains so that they don’t lose their appeal.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you’ve set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it’s much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.
If you are interested in camping, and you are new to the activity, then you should never start out alone. It can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, so it is important to bring along an experienced friend to help you learn the ropes.
Make sure you have a first aid kit with you. As an alternative, you could pack some supplies in a plastic bag. While hopefully your trip will be free of injuries, you never know. It is best to be prepared so that you can handle anything that happens in the best way possible.
Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn’t going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.
The lint from the dryer actually is great to help start campfires. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. You can just go about your business after that.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
Understand how your food will be cooked. You need to consider how you are going to prepare all meals. Will you need charcoal? Perhaps you need a small propane tank. It can be difficult to cook every meal over an open fire; no matter, how much fun it might seem.
If you’re going camping with a pet, take them for a vet visit beforehand. Inform your veterinarian of where you plan to go camping. Get your pet updated on all their vaccinations and be sure they have protection against ticks, mites, and fleas. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of a pet.
When you find your site, seek out the softest, most level ground to put your tent on. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. Also, use a tarp under your tent to keep water out and prevent damage.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Create a list of the items you must bring before you go camping. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. To ensure that everything gets packed, mark each item off the list as you pack it.
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.
People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.
It is easy to see that many things should be considered when preparing to go camping. However, the information you’ve been given can help you deal with some of the most common problems or complications that you may encounter. You are sure to enjoy your next camping trip now that you are better equipped.
