As more people watch reality TV shows that focus on the joys of outdoor life, it’s easy to understand why more people are becoming interested in a fun camping experience.
Be sure to know the recent weather conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry. In cold weather you will need these for heat but year round you will probably want to bring along a small wood burning camp stove to cook a hot meal or maybe have that hot cup of coffee in the mornings.
If you have purchased a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. This will ensure that your tent is not missing pieces and that you understand how to set up your tent correctly. Also, this can help to reduce the time it takes you to get setup when you are at the campsite.
Make sure you have a survival kit with you during your entire camping trip. Things to include in your survival pack are a knife, matches that are waterproof, first aid kit, flares and tablets to purify water and any medications you might be taking. These items are important to have in case you get lost. Always carry this pack with you instead of leaving it at the campsite.
When it comes to children, don’t hesitate to over-pack. Camping is a messy business. Children seem to be dirt magnets. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Be ready for anything. Or, you can take along one of the small portable mini washing machines to reduce the amount of clothes you have to take along on the trip.
Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date. If you are going camping out of state, you may have to add an additional policy for full coverage. This can be even more important if you’re leaving to another country when you are camping, such as Canada. It always pays to be prepared for anything!
You should bring a small, luxurious item along with you to help keep your mood up. Regardless of how authentic you want your experience to be, this can help. This can be something simple like fresh coffee or a favorite candy. These little things can make your day!
If you bring your dog with you on your trip, make sure they are on a leash and that you watch them carefully. There are those who have a fear of dogs. You must consider them when you are camping, too. Also, dogs can damage your campsite or another person’s campsite if they’re not watched carefully.
Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. Blankets make good padding and can help you stay warm if it’s colder than you expect at night. If you want something lightweight in the way of a blanket get one or more of the Mylar emergency blankets or sleeping bags.
Whenever you go camping, it’s important to remember to bring all of the items you will need when you arrive at your destination. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Make sure that you bring a lot of water, knives, soaps and food on your camping trip for safety.
Take your camera so you can capture some memorable pictures of your camping excursion, not only of you and your family but of nature itself. There are animals, sunsets, sunrises and such that are just awesome to view.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. If you choose an uneven area, being in your tent will be uncomfortable and unenjoyable. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.
Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. It is easy to inadvertently turn the flashlight on when digging through your camping equipment. If you put the batteries in your flashlight backwards, you can avoid this. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. If you are lost, this skill can help you to navigate back to your destination. Also, this will help to avoid tragedy with friends or family.
Bring waterproof matches as part of your survival kit. Store these in a waterproof and airtight bag or container. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle.
There is much to be considered when camping. A little advanced planning will make you much better prepared for any potential problems you might run into. So go out and have fun on your camping adventure!
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