Camping is a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. However, some folks can get stressed out by the idea of being in the woods at night, or even the thought of sleeping in something other than a building. To calm the fears of your fellow campers and have a prepared trip that is a blast for all, keep reading.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. It can be hard to set up camp when it’s dark outside. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Do not get yourself into this situation, and find your shelter during daylight hours.
When packing for your camping trip, make sure to pack either a pair of flip flops or water shoes. These will come in handy in and around the campground. For instance, if you are staying in a campground that has bathroom facilities and you plan on taking a shower, you need to wear shoes in the shower to protect your feet from foot fungus.
Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.
A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.
Know what is available in the area around your campsite. You may get lucky and have beautiful weather the entire time. However, you may also face inclement weather, too. Have a backup plan in case you need a diversion. This is particularly crucial if you have kids, but adults need a little entertainment as well!
Attend a class in first aid; this is a really good idea if you are camping with children. You will have all of the medical knowledge you will need in case of an accident. Be sure to research the area you are visiting. Are there any poisonous snakes, plants or any other things you should know before you head out?
If you are camping and the weather is starting to rise significantly, tale the coolers that you have with you and put them somewhere in the shade. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. This will keep the temperature inside the cooler from rising too much.
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.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. If you are traveling in an RV, park it in a well secured area. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. This should be done before nightfall as is it much more difficult to navigate when it is dark. It will also make it easier to see what you’re doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
When you’re going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. You can all get together and check out pictures of various plants that are hazardous so they can learn what they can’t touch when they’re looking around.
Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.
Cross contamination is not an issue that only affects people that cook at home. When you are cooking outdoors, you still have to worry about not using the same cutting board to cut meat that you do to cut any other foods. If you only have one board, use both sides.
When you bring a canine along on a camping trip, don’t forget his leash and to keep a close eye on him always. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. It’s important to think of other people when you’re out there camping. Also, dogs can damage your campsite or another person’s campsite if they’re not watched carefully.
Camping is fun, and camping with kids can be even more fun, but certain precautions need to be made for these little campers. Take plenty of extra clothes for them, because they will get dirty and wet. It’s important they don’t stay in wet clothes, because it’s possible, it could result in hypothermia. This goes for adults, too.
Bugs and mosquitoes are a common camping annoyance. You could buy a commercial repellent with chemicals, but a good natural way to keep bugs away from your body is by using an orange peel. Rub the inside of the peel on your arms and legs. This is a inexpensive, responsible way to repel annoying pests.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. Both items are fairly healthy and will come in handy when you don’t feel like cooking. Because these items will last a while, you don’t have to eat them right away if you don’t want to.
Some members of your camping party might not be thrilled about being in the great outdoors. Others might not feel like you have packed all that you need, and everyone needs entertainment. This article has provided you with a number of ideas you can use to make sure that your camping trip is an all-around success.
