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If you are thinking of taking the trip of a lifetime, you should consider camping as one of your vacation ideas. It does not matter if you are thinking of hiking the Appalachian Trail or going to the local campground, the memories of your camping trip will last a life time. Use these tips to help ensure you have a safe and exciting adventure.
Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.
Take a class on how to do first aid. This is especially important if you are taking kids with you. In an emergency, your first aid training could be the difference between life and death. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Get a sleeping bag that is warm enough. This is important. Even if you go camping in the summertime, nights can get very cold out in the wild. There are sleeping bags promising protection from varying cold temperatures; it is a good idea to opt for as low a temperature as you can find.
If you are planning any kind of backcountry camping, a must carry item is a fire starter kit. If you are in a survival situation, fire is a way to cook, keep you warm, purify water, and signal for help. Many camping stores sell fire starters that can be used when wet and do not require any fuel. Also, try making fire when you are not in a survival situation so you know you can do it if the need arises.
Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. Be sure you don't go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. When you go to a new campground in a far away location, make sure you know about the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
Take a first-aid class, especially if children are camping with you. Should an emergency arise, your knowledge of first aid can prevent further issues until help arrives. Be sure to research beforehand. You should be aware of the poisonous snakes, wild animals, etc., that inhabit the area.
Consider having a "jungle breakfast" if you are on a camping trip with children. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. This is a wonderful way to spice up the whole camping trip.
Bring bug spray. If you forget your bug spray on a camping trip, you will deeply regret it. Try a few different bug sprays ahead of time. Find something that works and doesn't irritate your skin. You also want to make sure that it isn't so greasy you'll be unwilling to sleep in it.
Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.
Pack a roll of duct tape with the rest of your supplies; this sticky wonder can help in a variety of circumstances. Such tape can quickly fix holes in tents, leaking inflatables and worn soles on shoes. It can also be used to seal mosquito netting.
When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.
Bugs and mosquitoes are a common camping annoyance. You could buy a commercial repellent with chemicals, but a good natural way to keep bugs away from your body is by using an orange peel. Rub the inside of the peel on your arms and legs. This is a inexpensive, responsible way to repel annoying pests.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
When looking into a campground, inquire about the different fees they may charge. You may find that you are charged for water, electric, fire wood and additional campers. Learning the fees ahead of time will allow you to properly budget for your camping trip. It will help you avoid becoming stressed at the gates and ruining your trip.
Make sure you secure all sources of food at night when you go to sleep. There are many animals that can frequent campgrounds at night and scavenge your food, especially when left open and unattended for hours. You don't want to wake up to your food scattered everywhere, and you left with a shortage.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that's fully charged. Even better, bring extra batteries so you are prepared if there is an emergency. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
Before setting out on your camping adventure, make sure you can read a map and a compass. Even if this isn't your first time at the site, it's easy to get lost in the woods since a lot of things look the same. You can avoid things barebones flashlight going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. If your food isn't canned, vacuum-sealed or preserved, you can get food poisoning because your food spoils. Pack plenty of ice to keep any perishable foods cold and remember to pull the drain plug in the cooler so the food does not get soaked.
Now that you know enough about camping, you should have no problem going on your first camping trip. You can finally stop wondering about camping and actually go outside and experience it. Just use the camping information you've read to guide you every step of the way and you should be fine.