Enjoy Yourself While Camping With These Tips
Whether you're camping in your yard or going to the mountains, being prepared is essential for everyone to enjoy the trip, the stars, and all of nature's offerings. Read these tips to learn how to properly get ready for your upcoming camping trip. You will not regret reading this great information.
A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.
If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.
Look up activities to engage in prior to getting to your destination. This will allow you to check for any deals that may be offered. Also, it will help you be more prepared when you actually get to your destination. You can find trails that may be appropriate for everyone in your family or restaurants that you would enjoy.
If your canteen is beginning to smell musty, you can give it a good cleaning with baking soda. Place a little bit of water in your canteen, and then add three tablespoons of baking soda. Shake gently, let it sit for sixty minutes, and then rinse with water. Your canteen will be refreshingly clean!
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
Take along a bandanna or a small towel. This single fabric piece can be used as a carrying bag, hand towel, paper towel, potholder, and blotter. There are a lot of different uses for it, so make sure you bring one on every camping trip with you.
When you go camping, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. Walking in wooded areas, you can come across almost anything; not to mention things can fall on your feet. You may also want to take a hike. So the next time you go out camping, make sure to wear shoes that can go everywhere you want to go.
Be sure to check your first-aid kit before you leave for your trip. You need to be sure it has all the basic necessities. Make sure it includes items like bandages, tweezers, disinfectant, ointment, etc. You never know when something may injure you or another person on your trip, so it's best to be prepared.
Cross contamination is not an issue that only affects people that cook at home. When you are cooking outdoors, you still have to worry about not using the same cutting board to cut meat that you do to cut any other foods. If you only have one board, use both sides.
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.
Use an orange to help prevent bug bites. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. This should keep you free from mosquitoes and other pesky insects of the woods for hours.
If you have more than three people camping with you, take along more than one tent. You are going to want to have some privacy at one time or another. The additional tent will make it possible to get some "me" time while at the camp site. It also gives you additional storage to keep animals out of your supplies.
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. Utility knives can be quite versatile, so be sure to have an extra with you.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. To steer clear of calamities, learning the right way to use such lifesaving tools is key.
When you're setting up a tent it's important to seal every seam. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This will keep any critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.
Duct tape is handy to bring along on your camping trip. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren't completely resistant to tears. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
Follow safety procedures. Stay away from all large animals and most small ones as well. That cute little 16'x24' wall tent squirrel may not be the friendly cute companion that it seems to be. Of course, you shouldn't feed any bears in the wild.
This guide can help a camper of any level find new ways to prepare for their camping trip. Use it as you plan your next excursion and you are sure to have the time of your life! Plan, prepare and enjoy your very next camping trip this coming camping season.
