Think about the last camping trip you went on. Camping can be an extraordinary experience for anyone. You can just escape your daily routine for a little while and get away from your every day life. Take some time to review this article; it will help your next camping journey become a great success.
Sleeping Bag
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. If you use a heavy winter sleeping bag in summer, this can be stifling and uncomfortable. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You might even contract hypothermia.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Then, you can be as messy as you want, without worry of getting dirty. You can go back to normal when you go home.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This ensures the most comfortable sleeping arrangement and allows you to move about without disturbing others.
Review your health insurance policy. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. If you are camping outside of your own country, it can be even more critical. Be prepared in case there is an injury or illness.
Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Since standard pillows can pick up a lot of humidity, debris or even creepy-crawlers, leave them safely at home. These types of pillows are prone to taking in the moisture in the air and can even mold if left in wet conditions for too long. Pillows specifically designed for camping will not draw in wetness like regular pillows will.
Kids love camping, especially when you plan activities that they can do. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. Children may not be familiar with activities like pitching a tent or fishing. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.
Pack plenty of food and make sure it’s the right type. You don’t want to take food with you that will spoil easily, no matter the length of time of your trip. Food poisoning can quickly put an ugly end to any outdoor vacation. Know what you’re doing when it comes to food safety and take the proper precautions.
Keep a close eye on your dog while you are camping and always keep him on a leash. Not all people are dog lovers, and some are extremely terrified of dogs. You must always respect the needs of others when camping. Also, your pet could be destructive to other people’s belongings.
Packing key essentials is necessary for good camping. Your whole trip could be ruined if you forget a couple of things. Make a master checklist of everything that you will be needing on your trip and be sure to check off items as they are packed or loaded into the car. Don’t forget to include your sleeping bag, water, knives, prepared food, hand gel, soap, and your tent.
Carefully plan what types of clothing you will wear during your camping trip. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. Pack ample clothing items appropriate to the climate you will be visiting. Make sure to pack a good pair of shoes to hike in as well.
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. You may not be in the mood to cook, so having these with you can be helpful. Also, these foods keep well so if you don’t eat them, you can enjoy them later.
Make sure you have a charged phone somewhere near you, like in the car. If that’s not an option, bring an extra battery. Your phone could be the most important equipment you have in an emergency.
When erecting your tent, ensure that all of the tent’s seams are sealed. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
After your trip, be certain you leave the campsite cleaner than it was when you found it. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. The rule of thumb when breaking down a campsite is to only leave footprints behind.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. If you don’t preserve, pack and prepare your food right, you’re at risk. Bring a lot of ice, and don’t forget to drain your cooler.
You can have a wonderful camping trip by using the tips shared here. The information here is just the beginning and will make your trip more enjoyable. Each time you go camping, you will learn more new experiences that will help make your trips better each time you go.