You can enjoy camping with all of your family and friends. If given the opportunity, everyone should go camping at least once. There is a wealth of preparation and knowledge needed for camping. Learn some tips, from the article that follows, that you can use on your next camping trip.
Search out shelter before the sun sets when you are camping. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Avoid these circumstances by finding the right shelter while it is still light.
Make sure that you both carry a survival kit and then get in the habit of always having it with you. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a knife, a first aid box, flare gun and waterproof matches. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. It is important that you carry your survival kit with you at all times.
Consider taking a CPR and first aid class. This is especially important if young children are traveling with you. In the unfortunate case of an accident, you will be prepared to handle the situation. You could also read about different first aid techniques online. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. Prepare in advance to avoid the downfalls of camping. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. Popping over the border into Canada could also cause an issue. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Dryer lint makes wonderful kindling to start your campfires with. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. Just grab your bag of dryer lint and go on camping day.
If you are a novice camper, choose a destination close to home for your first trip. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. You might realize you haven’t packed enough clothes or food. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. Write a list in advance of what you are going to need, and then you can check each item off when it is packed. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
Pack ready to eat foods in your camping gear, like trail mix and jerky. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. They will stay fresh for long periods of time, so they won’t go to waste.
A simple and obvious piece of advice is that you should create your shelter when it is still light. It is extremely difficult to pitch a tent whenever it is dark. You’d have to do it with the light from a fire or from a flashlight, both of which could be difficult. It is best to do this before dark so you can put it up correctly.
When you’re done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. Be sure to pack large plastic bags for clearing away trash. Do not leave any left over food behind. When you leave a campsite, the only thing left should be your footprints.
Food poisoning afflicts many campers annually, since they don’t pack their food right. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Pack perishable foods in ice and drain your cooler often to prevent water from damaging the food.
Some inexperienced campers mistakenly set up camp close to the bathrooms. They do this in the belief that it will be very convenient, but quickly learn the truth. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.
Make sure that you are always conscious of safety rules, regulations and best practices when you camp. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Smaller animals can be a lot more dangerous than expected, like squirrels for instance. Bears should never be fed in the wild under any circumstances.
When the camping trip will be longer, pack activities to entertain during downtime. Then again, packing a lot of electronics goes against the idea of unplugging and enjoying nature. Having said that, reading by a body of natural water or chilling to music by the fire in the evening are both really sweet experiences.
Bring along plenty of sunscreen. Sun protection is important! Seek out a sunscreen that has sufficient SPF protection. Ideally, look for a type of sunscreen that will protect you from bugs. After all, you do not want to have to put too many different lotions and potions on your skin while you are trying to enjoy your camping trip.
Camping is a fun experience, but requires being prepared and knowing a few things. You must actually utilize these tips, not simply read them and push them behind the desk before the trip begins! Have a wonderful camping trip!