Camping is a pastime that has long been known to be a favorite of many families. Many people don’t go camping because it sounds hard, but it really isn’t. This does not have to be the case, with the right advice in mind. Keep on reading for advice that you can use to be a great camping expert in no time.
Find where you will camp before sunset. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Don’t let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
Sleeping Bag
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You might even contract hypothermia.
Be sure to know the recent conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. Make sure you bring some of your own dry kindling and make sure it stays in a dry area.
Don’t be afraid of bringing too much if you have kids. Camping can be dirty. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. Children will get dirtier as the day goes on. Be sure to pack some extra clothes for your kids in case this happens. Stay ahead of the game!
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. Research the area to learn about the wildlife and the geography and climate.
Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. These can be used for several things, like drying your hands or holding a hot pot. It does not take much space in your bag and can save the day in many different situations.
When you’re new to camping, make sure you camp close to home. You could run into problems with your gear, or decide to cut the trip short. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn’t appropriate. There are a lot of different things that can come about and being closer to home will make it a lot easier.
If your campsite is known for wildlife, be extremely careful with food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. Following these measures will keep you safe from attacks.
Duct Tape
You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. A roll of duct tape has a great number of uses on a campsite. You can use this to repair any holes in an air mattress. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. If you plan to take a long hike, be sure to place some on feet to avoid developing blisters. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Use orange peels to ward off mosquito bites naturally while camping. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Experts say to rub your exposed body parts with a inside layer of a ripe orange peel. The mosquitoes should stay away from you for hours.
If your kids are going camping with you, have a photo of them on you. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. Be sure that you have brought one for urgent situations, particularly if your camping destination is quite a ways from home.
Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. Tents can get torn in spite of the increased durability of the newer ones. Having some duct tape can help you repair many things that unexpectedly tear or break.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Bring ample amounts of ice along in coolers to keep perishable items cold, and drain the water from melting ice each day to prevent food from becoming wet.
It is important to take toilet paper along when you go camping. When camping at a facility without public bathrooms, you will need to do your business outside. You definitely don’t want to depend on leaves for cleaning yourself, because they could have been in contact with poison ivy.
Make sure you pack some basic first aid supplies into your camping equipment. This kit needs proper emergency gear in case there’s an accident. Pain killers, bandages, snake bite supplies, and gauze should all be included in the kit. Of course, you need to pay attention to your safety and try to avoid accidents. However, you need your kit to prepare you for when accidents do happen.
Now that you have read the article above you have learned that camping can be quite simple. You can master it in no time. Use the information above to make your next trip a wonderful one. Soon you’ll be closer to nature on a great adventure.