Heading off the beaten path for a camping expedition can be fun and exciting, but it requires some basic knowledge and preparation to keep you safe and comfortable. The tips and advice you will learn here can provide you with some helpful hints to ensure a successful camping trip.
While you may think that nature will offer up enough wood to keep your fire embers burning, it could quite possibly be wet wood that doesn’t really want to burn. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. There are many sites in the country to visit that are nearby and are very beneficial. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. Make sure you always go camping only after preparing yourself fully. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. Using this method, you can acquire kindling and camp in the same day.
Pack a first aid kit. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Take some things to do on your camping trip. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.
As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. Always put down a tarp in order to stop water from getting into your tent.
Sleeping Bag
Choose an appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions in which you will be camping. Bags that are light are good for warmer places and a sleeping bag that’s heavier works best when things are colder. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
An orange peel may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re out camping. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next camping trip if they don’t get eaten this time.
It’s essential to take duct tape on every camping trip. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. Duct tape can help you to sleep in peace at night, and is very inexpensive.
When your camping trip is over, make sure to leave a clean campsite behind. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. The best practice to follow when camping is to clean the campsite well, and leave only your footprints behind.
Camping is a lot more fun when you have taken the necessary steps to prepare. You will feel safer, secure, and more relaxed when you use these camping tips.