Camping may seem like something only children enjoy, but camping still offers a fun day well spent, even for you. You can have a great time, so long as you are properly educated and devoted to creating the right adventure. The tips below can help.
Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the sky becomes dark, finding a good spot for your tent, necessary firewood and food preparation become near impossible. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. Avoid this circumstance entirely by securing your accommodations ahead of time.
Pick a sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. On the other hand, you don’t want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you’re going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. You may even subject yourself to hypothermia.
You will get dirty. If you’re ready for this, it will bother you less when it happens. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don’t worry too much about getting messy. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Pack Everything
Ensure that you pack everything that you will need before leaving for a camping trip. It wouldn’t be good if you forgot something you really need like your sleeping bag or a tent. Check and double check your list to ensure that you pack everything you need.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Card games, fishing poles, scavenger hunt lists and other supplies can make hanging out in the woods more fun. This is especially important if children are going to be camping.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Your whole trip could be ruined if you forget a couple of things. You might want to create a checklist of things you need to bring. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
Be very aware of the place where you have decided to set up. Try to steer clear of wasp nests or other pest havens. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. Always bring insect repellent on any camping trip.
It’s always smart to bring beef jerky and trail mix when you decide to take a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. Such foods will also remain edible for quite some time, so will not go to waste if you don’t eat them up on your trip.
Make sure you pack a utility knife when going camping. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. If that’s not an option, bring an extra battery. In the event of an emergency, you will need your cell to call out for help, so this item is very important.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until dark to pitch your tent. Pitching a tent can be difficult enough in the daylight, let alone in the dark of night. You will need to make a fire or have flashlight to do this. It is basically easier to get your campsite set up before it gets dark and you are not fumbling around in the dark.
Duct Tape
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents are usually more durable than they used to be, but they can still get torn. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn’t get any with your tent. This will prevent rain or little critters from getting inside.
One of the most common problems campers have is food poisoning from spoiled or improperly handled food. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
As silly as it may seem, be sure to pack toilet paper with you on your camping trip. If you are going camping in a place that has no toilets, it will be necessary for you to use the bathroom outside. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
If you enjoyed camping when you were younger, you can go again if you really want to. Let this article help you stir your imagination and spark your mind so that you can have a truly memorable camping experience and learn to love it all over again.