Camping can truly brings back memories! It is a great experience with nature, whether you’re with your family, spouse or by yourself. Camping is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the outdoors, however, there is much to know about it. Use the following tips the next time you go camping.
Reserve your spot at a campground as soon as possible. Particularly in the summer, many people are interested in camping with their families. If you make your reservation in the winter, you are much more likely to get the best rate possible. Those savings can translate into additional family fun while on your vacation.
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 you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
When you pack up your camp site to go home, leave a few logs and some kindling for the next camping group that comes along. If you have ever arrived at your site after dark, you know how tough it can be to find firewood! It’s a very nice pay-it-forward gesture that will probably help out more than you can imagine.
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.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
If you’re camping with your family, try finding campsites that are pet-friendly. This is a great way for you to get your animals out in the fresh air. Your kids will be happy to have your animals there with you, so it can be a great experience for all of you. Take along an inflatable air bed for your dog. They want a comfortable place to sleep while camping, also.
If you will be camping somewhere that is very far away from civilization, then make sure you have told several people where you will be as well as how long you are intending to stay. Ask them to call you on the day you are supposed to return to ensure your safety.
If you have special drinks that you like, take them with you camping. It is easy to forget things like green tea, hot cocoa or your special blend of coffee. You can even take wine if it is a romantic camping adventure. Just don’t forget to pack a corkscrew.
If you have a young child with you, do the math in advance with respect to how much baby food or formula they will need. Make sure you have supplies for them that will last the entire length of your trip. There are no guarantees that a store near your campsite will have these items or will have the type of items that you want.
Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.
Camping Tents
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. A piece of durable duct tape can keep you dry at night, even if your tent was damaged by accident.
Backpacking
If you are an intermediate or advanced camper and what to add some challenge back into the hobby, then look into backpacking. This is a type of camping where you are able to pick up your entire camp ground and put it all into one back pack and then continue walking.
Air Mattress
Bring some duct tape on your camping trip. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. If anyone hurts themselves, it can be used for securing splints or for covering wounds, provided something soft is placed between the tape and skin.
When camping, an insulated air mattress is useful for more than just comfort. An insulated mattress with a waterproof bottom can also keep you dry and warm in inclement weather. If the bottom of your tent is wet or cold, then you can still sleep comfortably above the elements. Many good air mattresses come with loops that enable you to tie multiple units together for cozy sleep quarters for two.
Even though camping is an often mentioned vacation activity, if you do not plan right for your trip the experience can turn into a negative one. With any luck, this article has given you everything that you should know to make it an enjoyable and exciting time for you and your family.