If you love to spend time outdoors, taking in everything that nature has to offer, then give camping a try. The following article has guidelines for what you should be doing and planning for before and during your big trip. If you are prepared, camping is great fun and worth the effort you put into it.
When you pack up your camp site to go home, leave a few logs and some kindling for the next camping group that comes along. If you have ever arrived at your site after dark, you know how tough it can be to find firewood! It's a very nice pay-it-forward gesture that will probably help out more than you can imagine.
Those big, colorful plastic storage bins make excellent places to store and organize all of your camping gear. While at home, keep it in a closet or the garage and right before you leave for your camping trip, pop it in the trunk. It should keep everything air-tight, dry and easily accessible.
When you are planning a camping adventure, make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for your trip. Check the weather forecast and bring the clothing that will be needed on your trip. If it is going to be cold, make sure you have the appropriate coats, gloves, and shoes. Remember to also pack a rain poncho no matter what the weather forecast predicts.
Make a list of things you need to take with you before you go camping. You may think you are great at packing, but little else is worse than being out in the middle of the woods and realizing you forgot your allergy medication. Sit down and create a comprehensive list of everything you might need during the week before your camping trip.
Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.
One of the most important things to remember when camping is to keep yourself relaxed. The entire point of a camping trip is to get away, so if you are finding yourself stressed by something, leave it alone and go enjoy nature until you are able to calm down. This will keep you happy and safe.
Make sure to finish setting up camp during daylight hours. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. It will also make it easier to see what you're doing, saving you a lot of frustration.
If you are camping outdoors instead of in a travel trailer or RV, it is important to dress in (or carry with you) layers of clothing. While on a camping trip, temperatures can fluctuate widely. The easiest and most effective method to control your body temperature is through adding and removing layers of clothing. Having layers of clothing also protects you from bug bites.
When traveling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you're near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!
Some of the best food options to bring camping with you are things that come in cans. While this may not be the tastiest, it is great for two reasons. It is very convenient and easy to prepare, but more importantly; wildlife will be unable to smell the food inside of the cans.
For your first camping trips, try to choose a place that you can drive to. If your car is nearby you can use it as a "fortress" of sorts when you are in the middle of nowhere. Not canvas tents with wood stove only can you enter it in case of wildlife attack; it can also protect you from the elements.
You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. It's very helpful to write out a list and cross each item off once you have packed it. Some important things to put on the list are your tent, tarp, water, food, fire-starters, soap and sleeping bag.
Do not underestimate the power of Duct tape It is an essential tool when you camp, so make sure it is in your box of "essentials." Duct tape can be used to repair tent poles, patch shoes, fix holes in mosquito netting, as well as many other things. Duct tape is a life saver.
If you will be camping in a warm area, you may think it is not necessary to bring a nice sleeping bag. That is a huge mistake as many areas cool off considerably at night. Secondly, a sleeping bag helps to mitigate uneven or rocky ground, allowing for more comfortable sleep.
A great idea when planning your camping trip is to make a list of everything you need before you go. As you pack each item, you can cross it off your list. This is really essential because you do not want to be stuck blowing up your air mattresses because you forgot to pack an air pump.
When camping, how will you cook your food? Before you leave you should decide just how to cook and what you'll need to bring for it. Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but it isn't so easy if you don't have the right supplies.
A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don't have access to first aid.
Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. Provide your own caddy for the matches by storing them in a plastic medicine bottle or 35mm film container.
Hopefully the tips that you have just read will help to prepare you in taking on your next camping trip. Whether you are planning a faraway excursion or settling down in your own backyard, keep what you've just learned in mind. You may find that you will enjoy the pleasures of camping more often.
