As we watch more and more outdoor-themed TV shows, it is no surprise that many more families are heading out camping these days. If you are ready to go camping, read the article below for tips that will make your trip a memorable one.
Find where you will camp before sunset. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite.
Include the family in the selection of the campsite. Talk about the state you wish to see. The United States offers so many choices that choosing one can be hard! You can select a few places to have the family vote on to make it easier.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.
Preparation can make your camping trip easy and relaxing. Only go camping once you are fully prepared. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.
Try to combine a camping experience with a swimming experience of some kind. You may miss the shower at your home when you are camping. Spending some time in cool water can help you stay clean and refresh your spirits, so a little swimming can soothe the part of your heart longing for a bath.
A roll of duct tape is a very important piece of camping equipment. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting.
If you are camping deep in the woods, take extra care with your food. You must wrap everything up tight, store it away from your tent and do not take certain types of food with you. Doing so will lessen your chances for an attack.
Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. You will need a light source to see clearly once the sun sinks in the sky. Having an adequate amount of light can help avoid injuries from falls and running into animals living in the wild. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Never let your kids roam out of your sight. Cars and campers will be pulling in and out, and there is always the possibility of little ones getting quickly lost in an unfamiliar forest. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.
Utility Knife
Bring a good utility knife when you camp. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.
Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. If your tent doesn’t have it, you may purchase a tube at a sporting goods store. This will allow you to keep wild animals and bad weather from getting into your tent.
Bring toilet paper along when you travel. If you take care of business in the woods, toilet paper is imperative to have. If you forget the toilet paper, you may be forced to use leaves, some of which could be poison ivy.
Sleeping Bag
Whenever you’re choosing a sleeping bag, pick one out that’s for the climate you’re in. You need a lightweight sleeping bag for the summertime. For wintertime, you will need to ensure that you have a heavyweight bag that will keep you warm in cold temperatures.
Maintain your tent well ventilated and dry. Lack of ventilation can cause condensation to form when you sweat and breathe. Too much condensation can lead to you waking up soaked with water. Tents usually have built-in vents, windows, or doors that can be cracked to prevent moisture buildup and create a cross-breeze.
Be sure to bring along lots of pocket or dryer lint. Lint can be great kindling, even though it sounds funny. The lint can make fire that burns brighter than one created with sticks or wood chips. A spark and the lint is all that is needed for a fire.
As you can see, there are quite a few things to think about when it comes to camping. But you’re now likely feeling a little better prepared to handle the basics. Thanks to this information, you can sit back and relax a bit more while at your camping excursion!