Camping is the ideal getaway for enjoying time with family and friends. Yet, many never try it because it sounds so hard to do. It can be easy if you have the best information. Read on to learn as much as you can about camping.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. If you wait until after dark to set up you will find it to be nearly impossible, even if you have decent light. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Don’t get into this situation, look for proper shelter before you get to this point.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. This kit can save your life if you get into a dangerous situation. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.
Don’t miss the opportunity to add swimming activities to your next camping trip. Showering is one of the comforts of home you will have to do without while camping. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. It does not take much space in your bag and can save the day in many different situations.
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. If you are in an RV, park it safely. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Always remember to bring a roll of duct tape with you when you go camping as it can be used for all manner of things. Such tape can quickly fix holes in tents, leaking inflatables and worn soles on shoes. It can also be used to seal mosquito netting.
Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Every campsite can have its own dangers.
Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. You can always visit websites that illustrate the dangers posed by poison ivy as well as other harmful plants.
Bring sufficient amounts of the right kinds of foods. Depending on how long you’re planning to be camping, it’s important to have things that won’t go bad during the trip. Remember, food poisoning could quickly put an end to your camping adventure. Prepare your food properly and research any precautions you need to take.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you brought kids along, you might want to pack a lot of things for entertainment.
Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. In case you get separated, having the pictures on your person will help you find them quickly. Be certain you take a picture in case of an emergency, particularly if you are far away from your home.
Be mindful of your camp location choice. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. Keep an eye out for animals and insects around your camp, and make sure there aren’t any large populations of them close to you. Also, carry insect repellent.
Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. How your camping experience turns out is down to one key factor: preparation. Being ready to tackle any situation that may arise will allow you to have an enjoyable trip.
Do your packing deliberately and intelligently. Create a checklist of what you’re going to be bringing along and check things off while you’re packing them. This will save you the inconvenience of forgetting something and having to stop for it and it is very important, especially if your are going to a remote location.
Your tent should be kept ventilated and free of moisture. With no ventilation, condensation can form in the tent. You might wake up wet if this happens. Tents typically have integrated vents or windows that may be opened slightly to keep moisture accumulations at bay.
As you can see, camping isn’t so difficult. Anyone can do it! Use the information above to make your next trip a wonderful one. By doing so, you will find yourself on the way to an adventure you won’t want to miss.