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. Anyone of any age can have fun camping as long as they take some extra time to prepare properly for the trip with information. These suggestions will help.
You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Chances are, your family and your belongings are going to end up getting dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Part of the whole camping experience includes allowing yourself to get dirty. You can always take a bath back at the house.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping is messy. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. Your kids may become filthy as the day goes on. While there is nothing you can do about that, you can have some extra clothing just in case. Always prepare!
Make sure you know what’s covered in your medical insurance. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. This preparation tactic can help you save a lot of money in the event of an accident.
If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. While camping, you might really miss the luxury of showering. The coolness of the water will help you feel cleaner and more refreshed, so you won’t miss your shower as much as you thought you might!
To make your camping trip more enjoyable, bring along something luxurious. It could be something as simple as coffee or nice hand cream. These items can make your trip as pleasurable as possible.
A roll of duct tape is a very important piece of camping equipment. It’s easy to use, can hold out moisture and will even fix a leak or a broken shoe!
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. They could get bored if there isn’t anything to do. They may never have had a chance to set up a tent or catch a fish. Spend a day teaching them what they need to know before you leave for your trip.
Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. There are those who fear dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, or another person’s if they aren’t being watched.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you’re going. Lighter bags are great for summer while heavy ones work well in fall and winter. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you’re sleeping in a tent.
Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. When near vegetation, long sleeves shirts and long pants will keep insects from getting on your skin. Also, carry insect repellent.
Carry an additional utility knife in case your original one breaks. Utility knives have a variety of potential uses, so bring along an extra in your pack in case you drop or otherwise lose the knife you carry on your person.
Pack your things carefully and smartly. Have a checklist on hand and cross your items off the list as you add them to your pack. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
A simple and obvious piece of advice is that you should create your shelter when it is still light. It’s very hard to set up your tent when it’s dark outside. It is possible to see what you are doing by the light of the campfire or with the aid of a flashlight. It will obviously be much easier to pitch your tent if the sun hasn’t gone down yet.
Your survival kit should include waterproof matches. Keep them stored in an air and water tight container. You can make your own matches waterproof by putting them in nail polish or paraffin. An empty prescription bottle or an old film container makes great storage for your matches.
When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some. Sealant keeps both insects and rain out of your tent.
At the end of your trip, be sure to leave your campsite as clean as you found it. You’ll need some trash bags to clean up everything. Don’t leave any food behind either. The only things you should really be leaving behind at your campsite are your footprints.
Don’t forget the toilet paper. If your campgrounds or location doesn’t have a properly installed restroom, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.
If you went camping when you were young and wish to do so again, you just need to have the correct information. Use this article to capture that feeling of camping that you once had when you were younger.