So, you’ve decided to go camping? Are you prepared for common situations that you may encounter on your trip? While you may think you know the basics, it is never a waste of time to become familiar with some great camping ideas. Keep reading for some top camping tips.
Let all the members of your family have a hand in picking your campsite. This will make everyone feel invested. The options are plenty, so do your research! If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.
Survival Kit
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. For any life threatening situation, these items may be the only thing standing between you and disaster. Keep your kit with you at all times; don’t leave it at the campsite.
Ensure that your tent is large enough for all of the potential occupants. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. Camping can make you miss your shower. Cool water will make you feel clean and fresh, so you may not miss your shower at all.
Use specialty camping pillows when camping. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Pillows made especially for camping have a protective outer layer that prohibits moisture absorption.
Always pack enough of the proper foods. Make sure the food you bring won’t spoil while you’re camping. It could end up causing food poisoning and quickly end your trip. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.
If the area in which you’ll be camping is well known for wildlife that poses a danger, special precautions must be taken regarding your food. Keep things tightly wrapped and store them away from the site of your tent; if needed, avoid certain types of food altogether. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Trail Mix
When planning for a camping trip, make sure you bring beef jerky and trail mix. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don’t feel like cooking. Trail mix and beef jerky are non-perishable foods, so they will keep for very long periods of time; you can even bring them home with you if you do not eat them at the campsite.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. Preparation makes all the difference. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.
Waterproof matches are an absolute essential addition to your camping survival kit. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. You can waterproof regular matches by dunking them in nail polish or paraffin, a type of wax. You can store these matches in something like a medicine bottle or empty film container.
Clean your campsite at the end of your stay. You should have trash bags on hand for this purpose. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. The major rule for leaving a campsite is to just leave behind footprints.
Do not set your camp near a bathroom. They think they are doing themselves a favor, but they aren’t. Bathrooms are not only sources of light, but they receive quite a bit of traffic. Therefore, they end up not having the convenience and comfort that they expected.
If you want to go camping but haven’t ever done that, there is something you can do quickly to get an idea of whether you will like it. Pitch a tent in your garden or backyard and spend one or two nights in it. During your night in the tent, do not access any of the facilities in your house. You will probably enjoy camping if you enjoy doing this.
Shower Curtain
You don’t have to purchase a tarp to put under your tent; use a cheap or old shower curtain instead. It can also be used for a washing area or cooking area base since you can control the run-off. Rather than getting rid of a shower curtain, wash it with your laundry and use it the next time you go camping.
For a camping trip that will take a while, bring along entertainment for yourself. If you pack a bunch of electronic gadgets, it might conflict with the reasons why you chose a camping trip. However, there are few things better than sitting by a lake reading a great book or relaxing by a campfire listening to music.
Do not forget to bring a lot of sunscreen. You must stay protected from the sun’s rays. Be sure that your sunscreen’s ability to protect you is sufficient enough. It would be even better to get a sunscreen that also has bug protection. The fewer chemicals you need to worry about applying, the better.
Bring as much food and water as you can when planning a camping trip with friends or family. If you’re going to camp where there are lots of bears, be sure that you’re keeping your food away from your tent. If it is safe to do so, burn garbage so that bears do not follow the smell of food to your campsite.
As you can see from the article above, there are many helpful tips that can help you enjoy your camping trip more. Camping doesn’t have to be an extravagant event; still, time should be taken to prepare for some common problems. Have a most amazing time and ensure that you put this information to good use while away.