There is no denying the allure outdoor experiences has for so many individuals. With that said, there is a lot that you can do to prepare yourself properly so that you have the best experience possible. If you spend enough time reviewing the ideas below, you can plan a wonderful trip every single time.
When you go camping, you wand to find shelter before the sun goes down. Once it grows black in the woods, you can have a hard time setting up your tent, preparing food, and getting adequate firewood. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Sleeping Bag
Select the right sleeping bag for the season. Don’t take a heavy sleeping bag out in the summer, it could make you sweat and be uncomfortable all night long. On the other hand, if you bring along a light-weight bag in the winter, you may feel like you are freezing to death. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
Ask family or friends who are camping with you for their input on your camping location. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. Try to select a short-list and then put it to a family vote.
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. This kind of “dry run” also helps lower your frustration level when setting up the tent at the campsite
Over-packing is better than under-packing when it comes to children. Camping can be quite dirty. Kids love getting into dirt. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Don’t be caught without something you need!
Double Check
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Make a list of the items you need, and double check it before you leave home.
Make sure that you understand the dangers and risks of the camping site that you choose. There may be spiders or bears that could pose a threat to your safety. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way.
Should you decide to bring your dog, pack a long leash and prepare everyone to keep careful watch on the pet. A lot of people have a fear of dogs. Take others into consideration when you camp if you bring a dog. You do not want then to ruin anyone’s campsite due to lack of supervision.
Remember to bring along wilderness-friendly activities. Card games are a fun way to pass the time if the weather does not cooperate. If your camping group includes children, consider bringing extra entertainment options.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Even if you plan in advance, something may still go wrong. There are many things that can go wrong, including illness, injury or extreme weather conditions. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.
Bring along a photo of any children that will be camping with you. In the case that a child goes missing, having their photo at hand could be of great use. Always bring an emergency photo, especially if your campsite is far from your home.
Bring trail mix and beef jerky. When you reach the end of a long day, it may not sound appealing to cook, so it helps to have these things to eat when you’re too tired. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next camping trip if they don’t get eaten this time.
Duct Tape
Make sure that you never go camping without duct tape. Although tents tend to be more durable nowadays, they may still get torn. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
Do you know what means you are going to use to cook your food? Before leaving, you will want to know what cooking method will be used so the proper supplies can be packed. Open-flame cooking is great fun, but you need to be prepared with the right equipment to take advantage of this.
Camping can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience for those that know what they are doing. You should build on your knowledge base of camping by doing proper research. Keep the information here in mind to make your trip go off without a hitch.