Camping may sound like an activity you may have done as a kid with your parents or at a camp, but you can still enjoy it. It can still prove to be an enjoyable and passionate experience with Mother Nature. Use these tips for help.
If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. If something unexpected comes up, you will be ready to handle it. Be sure to do thorough research too. Be aware of the potential for poisonous snakes, wild animals and other possible wildlife dangers.
A bandanna or a handkerchief can be beneficial to bring on your trip. You can use it as a potholder, bag holder or a towel. You can use them to pick up hot pans, or to clean up a tiny spill; therefore, you should always have one with you.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer’s filter into the bag every time it is full. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
It’s important to have all your equipment with you when camping. For example, your trip can be ruined if you forget your sleeping bag or tent. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
If you bring along a canine companion on your trip, keep your pet leashed and watch him or her closely. Some people get frightened by dogs. You must always respect the needs of others when camping. Also, your pet could be destructive to other people’s belongings.
Plan several activities to do while camping. Bring card and board games, proper attire for hiking or swimming, books (if you want quiet time) and any fishing or birding gear that you may need. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
Duct Tape
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. If someone’s shoe falls apart while out and about, it can hold shoes together quite nicely. Applied to the foot itself can prevent blisters. It can even be used to bandage injuries.
Always be prepared when on a camping trip. Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. The weather may change all of a sudden, illness and injuries can occur, your circumstance can change, etc. Never take unnecessary risks or be careless, and always think before you act.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the “on” switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won’t be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. If you remembered to pack everything but the mosquito repellant, don’t despair. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. This should effectively repel mosquitoes for hours.
Camping can be a great way to relax for a weekend, or it can turn into a hellish experience. Preparation can mean the difference between a good or a bad trip. Your activities will go more smoothly and your trip more enjoyable when you take the time to plan your trip before you go.
Pack carefully and efficiently. Make a list of the things you need on your trip. Check each item off when you pack it. This is very important if you’re camping in some remote region without quick access to first-aid items or any other emergency supplies.
Many people don’t realize that it is necessary to make a shelter before it gets dark. It is extremely difficult to pitch a tent whenever it is dark. If you wait until dark to pitch your tent, you will need to build a fire or light several lanterns to ensure you can see to pitch your tent correctly. Doing it during sunlight hours makes it easier and more prepared for the dark.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. You can get lost no matter where you are camping, keep that in mind. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.
When selecting a sleeping bag, make sure it’s season-appropriate. In summer weather, for example, you’ll need a light bag that will help you stay cool. But during the cold of winter, you need a thermal bag that will keep you protected from the elements.
An essential element of your camping gear is a first aid kit. Such a kit should contain everything that one could need in the event of an accident. Examples of some of the items that should be in your first aid kid include aspirin, bandages, splints, snake bite kit, antiseptic spray and more. Accidents will happen on every trip, so it is important to take precautions in advance.
If you enjoyed camping when you were younger, you can go again if you really want to. Use this article to help you get reacquainted with how wonderful an experience camping can be, for the young and the young-at-heart.