What's the point of camping?
You may be familiar with camping from doing it as a child, but it is not something reserved for just children. You can still enjoy yourself if you just have the right information and the passion to create a memorable experience. These suggestions will help.
When packing for your camping trip, make sure to pack either a pair of flip flops or water shoes. These will come in handy in and around the campground. For instance, if you are staying in a campground that has bathroom facilities and you plan on taking a shower, you need to wear shoes in the shower to protect your feet from foot fungus.
Make sure your sleeping bag is right for the weather. A bag that is intended for winter conditions will surely cause you to overheat when you are trying to sleep in summer weather. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Packing the wrong sleeping supplies is certainly uncomfortable, and it might even become dangerous.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Enjoy your time and don't afraid to be messy. You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Bring enough food and snack items to last you throughout the whole trip. You don't want to spend your time going to get food every meal, enjoy yourself while you are camping. Bring cereal, hot dogs, and all of your other favorite food items that will fuel you throughout your trip.
Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. There are natural hazards associated with every camping area.
Even if you're not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you're going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you'll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.
Affirm that your insurance is intact before you leave on your trip. Some policies will not cover you outside your own state. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.
A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.
Focus on safety during your trip. Educate yourself and the other members of your party about what you should do if you come across a wild animal. Learn as much as you can about bears and what to do in the event of an attack. Refresh your memory on snakebites. Hopefully, you won't have to use this knowledge, but it is important that it is available to you.
Duct tape can be a camper's stargazer bell tent very best friend. When disaster strikes on a camping trip, a roll of heavy-duty duct tape will usually save the day. If the tent fabric needs patching in the rain, duct tape will hold back the water. When tent poles need reinforcing, the duct tape will provide support. Do you have holes in your tennis shoes? Duct tape right over it. Whatever the mishap, a roll of duct tape is sure to help!
Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
Always have all your gear prepared before the trip. It wouldn't be good if you forgot something you really need like your sleeping bag or a tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind.
Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light-colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check your body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
When choosing a sleeping bag, make sure that you pick one that is meant for the season and climate in which you plan to camp. For example, in the summertime, a lighter bag will keep you cool. Conversely, during the winter you need to choose a heavy bag.
Camping is an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors. By using the tips and advice mentioned here on your next trip, you can enjoy a safer, more relaxing adventure knowing that you have the skills and know-how to tackle any issues that may arise.