Have you been thinking about going camping for a long time now? What has been holding you back? Is it the lack of knowledge? Well go ahead and read this article so that you know what it takes to enjoy yourself on a nice weekend camping trip with the whole family.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Don't let this happen to you, and have a shelter set up before dark.
If you're bringing kids on your camping trip, over-pack for them. Being out in the wild can result in all sorts of messes. Your kids may love playing around in the grass and dirt. Therefore, you will need to understand that a clean trip is probably out of the question. While you can't do much to prevent that, you can at least provide clean clothing, so long as you brought extra. Be prepared!
When going camping, try to buy non-perishable items to eat. There are no refrigerators in the wild, so everything you bring has to be kept in good order. You can certainly bring a cooler to put food in, but the cooler will be added bulk on your trip. Therefore, make an effort to bring more non-perishable foods than perishable.
Even the most natural experience can allow for one nice luxury from home. Take along some candy, some coffee you enjoy or anything that is lightweight but reminds you of home. Small things like this can increase your enjoyment of the trip.
Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.
When you are heading out for that long awaited camping trip, don't forget to take along your cell phone. You may be tempted to leave all the texting and calls behind, but your cell phone can be one of your most important safety lifelines in the event of an emergency. Make sure it is fully charged and keep it protected from the elements in a plastic bag or waterproof case.
Review your health insurance policy. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.
Do not forget your cooking supplies. You will need pots, pans, utensils and dishes to cook on and eat with. Make sure that you double-check to be sure that you have packed these supplies before you leave the house. You do not want to get all set up and ready to cook your first meal and find that you have left your pot at home.
Make sure you always have a source of clean water with you. When camping, you can't always trust that a natural water source is clean enough to drink from without boiling the water first. So keep a canteen filled with water at your side during any daily adventure. In the evenings, boil any spring water for ten minutes to create clean water reserves for the next day.
Camping is about being one with nature and living off the basics, but it is important to go prepared. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. These can be used for additional padding or for extra warmth on a chilly night.
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.
Use an old shower curtain as a camping tarp. The next time you switch out your shower curtain, save the old one and you can use it when you go camping. Tarps, or old shower curtains can be used for many things. You can put it under your tent or use it to keep you dry should it rain.
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.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
Make sure that you dress appropriately for your camping trip. Your clothing should be loose, clean, and comfortable. You should also pay attention to the weather. If you how to repair canvas tent notice it will be cold, make sure you wear several layers of thicker clothing. If there is a chance of rain, make sure you bring along a waterproof poncho. You do not want to be stuck in the wilderness without the proper clothing.
Orange peels are great items to reduce mosquito bites while camping. So, if you forgot to pack your mosquito repellant, do not despair. Authorities recommend rubbing the interior of an orange peel over exposed skin. Mosquitoes should be repelled from you for a few hours.
Why not take a relaxing camping trip and put some of these tips to use? Camping is a great way to spend some time out in nature and get away from the busy hustle and bustle of the real world. Have a great time on your next camping adventure.
