Whether you sleep in a tent, an RV or under the stars, taking a camping trip is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Getting away from it all can be rejuvenating and fun with just a little know-how. Here are a number of tips for enhancing and improving your next camping trip.
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.
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.
Navigation is the key when it comes to camping. It is important to know where you are, and how to get back to civilization if you become lost. Always bring a map of the area, and a compass to help you. You can also use an outdoor GPS that will give you navigation information, as well as additional information such as altitude.
If you are camping and the weather is starting to rise significantly, tale the coolers that you have with you and put them somewhere in the shade. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. This will keep the temperature inside the cooler from rising too much.
With camping, comes the campfire. Make sure your campfire is in an open space and far enough away from brush or trees so you don't run the risk of a stray spark catching them on fire. Surround the fire with stones to help keep it contained. Most importantly, never leave any campfire unattended. If you need to leave for any reason, make sure the campfire is extinguished completely.
Get everything you need ready for your meals before you get to your campsite. If you are only camping for a few days, this initial trip to the store should be all that you need to do. Stock up on nonperishable items, too. You don't want you or your family members to be hungry on your trip.
Camping is fun, and camping with kids can be even more fun, but certain precautions need to be made for these little campers. Take plenty of extra clothes for them, because they will get dirty and wet. It's important they don't stay in wet clothes, because it's possible, it could result in hypothermia. This goes for adults, too.
Any time you go camping, do not forget to bring a first-aid kit along with you. Since accidents can happen at any time, a first-aid kit is a very valuable asset to possess. Be sure to include topical creams for bug bites, sun burns and poison ivy when putting your kit together.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries. It can get quite dark at night, away from all the city lights. A light source is very important. Bring a few spare flashlights just in case. Make sure that you pack extra batteries as well. A light source is something you do not want to find yourself without.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
In this modern age, there is no excuse for being in the woods without some form of communication ability. Of course, no one likes to receive phone calls when they are relaxing, so leave your phone off but fully charged, just in case there is an emergency, and you need to contact someone.
If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.
If you are taking your children camping with you, don't forget to take walkie talkies along with you. Although each of you may own a cell phone, the area where you are camping may not have adequate coverage. It is best to invest in walkie talkies that have a range of several miles. By having walkie talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) canvas rent radio, you can remain in contact with all members of your family.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don't want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. You should have clean clothes that will last you the entire trip. It is also important to have clothing that is right for the weather you might encounter. Include closed toe shoes or hiking boots if you want to do some hiking.
Every camper should remember to pack toilet paper and baby wipes. You could always rough it by using leaves and other natural items, but it's unnecessary when you can have baby wipes and toilet paper easily accessible at a local store.
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 interested in camping but are not sure if it is the right choice for you, you may want to start out with something a bit easier, like staying in a cabin or renting an RV for a weekend. If you enjoy nature with this convenience, then it may be time to up the game to a tent.
As you can see, camping isn't as easy as just setting up a tent and falling asleep. There are plenty of other things to think about as well. Now that you're more knowledgeable about camping, you should have no trouble coming up with a plan to make your camping trip go well.
