If you’ve never gone camping, you are in for a treat. Sleeping all night under the stars is more relaxing than you may have ever imagined. If your lack of camping knowledge has held you back in the past, the advice that follows may change all of that.
After you buy your camping tent, set it up at home rather than waiting until your trip to set it up for the first time. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Camping can be messy. Kids simply love to get dirty. As a result, they are going to be seriously messy by the end of each day. While you can’t do much to prevent that, you can at least provide clean clothing, so long as you brought extra. Be prepared for dirty clothes and dirty children by packing extra clothes.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Weather Forecast
Make sure to see what the weather forecast is for the town you are camping in. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. By knowing the weather, you can ensure you pack the proper equipment and clothing for your camping trip.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. Research the place that you are traveling to, which will help you to understand the climate and geography.
Even when you’re trying to get away from the luxuries of life, it can help to bring something nice on your camping trip. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-carry item like good chocolate, cream for coffee or another reminder of home with you. Such little luxuries will really pick up your spirits!
Duct Tape
Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.
There are many items in terms of camping equipment that you should bring on your trip. It would be a shame to arrive at your campsite only to realize you have forgotten some important items, like food and water. Check and double check your packing list and make certain that every item has been included.
Are you a camping novice? Before you head off on that initial camping trip, practice pitching your tent. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. This will also speed up your ability to pitch a tent and keep you safe if nighttime is approaching when you’re ready to camp.
Take steps to prevent dead flashlight batteries while camping. You don’t want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.
Believe it or not, an orange’s peel may keep mosquitoes from biting you during your next camping excursion. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Experts say that if you rub your body with the inside of the orange peel, it will keep the annoying bugs away. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
Cell Phone
Always make sure that your cell phone is with you when you get to your campsite, and it should be fully charged. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you will probably have a good time.
Always bring a roll or two of duct tape along when you camp. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. Having some duct tape can help you repair many things that unexpectedly tear or break.
Your survival kit should include waterproof matches. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. Matches can be made waterproof by simply placing them in either nail polish or paraffin for a quick dip. A great container for storage is a film canister. A plastic medicine bottle also works.
It is important in tent building to close any and all seams on the tent. If sealant was not included in your tent, visit your local sporting goods store to purchase some. That can keep rain and critters outside your tent.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Sleeping Bag
Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. For example, if you are going camping during the summer months, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, so that your body does not overheat during the night. Meanwhile, if you are camping during the winter months, you will probably desire a more heavyweight sleep bag that will protect the body’s extremities from frostbite.
Now that you know what to do, start planning your camping excursion. As long as you keep this information on hand you will do just fine as a camper, even if it is your first time. Whether you are traveling near or far from home, you will have a great time.