When you go prepared then camping trips with the family are a great way for you to have an experience out in nature. It is also a time to help everyone learn how to use survival skills so you can make the most of your ability to take care of yourself. Learning how to setup a camping tent, stay warm in cold weather, be comfortable with sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses in your tent are all good survival things to know plus these comforts make the whole camping experience a lot of fun for everyone.
To make sure you don’t forget something for your camping trip then prepare a list of supplies that you will need. Keep your list and add to it with each trip as you find that you have forgotten something or there is just something else that would be nice to have while you are out enjoying nature. Maybe you forgot something like the camera which is not a necessity but would really be nice to have to capture some of pictures of that scenic environment that you find yourself enjoying.
Research any potential campground well. They all have different amenities. Some may have showers and bathrooms, electrical access for your own tent, while others may not. There are even a few campgrounds that are quite fancy, with onsite miniature golf games or water parks for the kids to enjoy. You may not need or want all that, so figure it out ahead of time so that you are not disappointed when you get there.
Do not hesitate to pack too much for your kids. Camping can be a sloppy time. Kids love to play in dirt. That all means that you will have very dirty children as the day progresses. While you can’t do much about that, you should have extra clothing on hand. You may even want to take along one of the small, compact portable washer so you can keep small items fresh and clean. Remember, always be prepared!
By all means bring a first aid kit. Camping is a lot fun. You can always expect some minor things like bug bites. Always be prepared. Small scrapes and rashes can be especially common out in nature. Bring along an emergency first aid kit full of anything you might need. You’ll be happy you did if something goes wrong. No need to cut your trip short over small health things.
When camping, periodically do a tick check. Look for any brown or black spots that have just appeared on your skin. Ticks attach themselves to the skin without causing too much of a disturbance, so be sure to check yourself and your companions for ticks after spending time camping outdoors.
While it is not a good idea to be wasteful or to have extra load to carry, make sure to bring more food and water than you think you need. You do not want to get out into the middle of the woods and run out of supplies. Bringing more than enough will ensure you do not run across this issue.
I can’t stress enough that you must take with you all the items you need to make your camping or hiking trip a fun experience. Even just a handful of things missing can really affect your camping experience. Creating a checklist of all the things you need can help you. Good items to bring include a sleeping bag, tent, water, food, hygiene supplies and things that can help you get a fire started.
Camping is hard work, but it’s also very much fun and like anything else it gets easier each time you do it. Once you figure out what you’re doing, the rewards are numerous. You get to experience nature and the outdoors; picnics are always fun, and you get a chance to sleep under the stars. Nothing beats some of the experiences you can have when camping outdoors.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges using some rocks to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
It is perfectly normal to set a budget for your overall camping trip. Sit down and make a plan of what you can afford to spend on your entire trip. Make sure you factor in the campground costs, gasoline prices as well as food and any other materials you will need to purchase. This will ensure that you don’t spend more than you have available for your trip.
Bring along plenty of zip-lock bags on your camping trip, they make a great mixing tool with foods as well as great storage. Always make sure the bag is completely sealed, then pop in any foods you need to combine, like chicken and batter or steak with marinade! Zip-lock bags are the best at keeping anything you need water-proofed too.
If you are going camping with a tent you have never used before, practice putting it up in your backyard before you leave. When you get to your campsite, it might be dark and raining and you might have to go on feel and memory pitching the thing. So, it helps to have done it at least once before. You may be tired from driving and it will be frustrating if you have to spend time reading the directions.
When you go camping outdoors you are really doing a lot of things. You are being equal parts explorer, nature enthusiast and reveler. Use the information in this article to help make sure you make the most of every role you assume when you go camping, and have a great time out there in the great outdoors!