Camping is a great way to spend time with friends and family. It bonds you with your loved ones like never before. However there are many things to consider when you are planning a camping trip. The following article can help you better prepare yourself the next time you go camping.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
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.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire's glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don't want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
Make sure you are aware of what hospitals are close to your campsite and how to get to them. While you don't want to think about anything bad happening on your trip, it is a possibility. Certain injuries will necessitate a visit to the doctor, so it is best to know where to go before something happens, and you are in panic mode.
Always set up a new tent once at home before taking it camping. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. You will find your frustration level diminishes greatly as well.
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.
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.
Always be aware of where your camp is located. You should avoid setting up near any insect breeding grounds like wasp's nest and beehives. If there is a lot of nearby vegetation, protect yourself against insect bites by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. You also might want to have bug repellant nearby.
When planning a camping trip, be sure to plan on getting to your campsite before dark. This way you will have daylight in order to set up camp, check out your site for dangers, such as broken glass, dangerous tree branches and other potential dangers or problems that can be fixed before bedtime.
When you are going camping, do your best to get as early of a start as possible. It will be your job to pitch your tent so you have somewhere to rest comfortably, and that will be much harder for you to do once it starts to get dark outside.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. This will keep you warm if it gets really cool at night and/or you can use them for additional padding.
It's essential to take duct tape on every camping trip. Tents are pretty durable, but they still have the tendency to get weathered and torn. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.
If your children are with you, establish a daily routine early on. This will help them adjust to their new surroundings and have a good time. Try to stick to a certain bedtime and eat your meals at about the same time each day. Your kids will be happier, and you will be as well.
Start your camping trip off the easy way with a precooked meal that can be kept in a cooler. There are many things that must be done on the first day and knowing that you have a delicious meal already prepared can make the end of the day relaxing and more enjoyable.
Before you load up the gear and drive toward your next camping trip, be wise and research different camping locations for the one which best suits your needs. As an example, if you are a greenhorn camper, then you will probably want to choose a site that is near civilization. Nothing is worse than arriving at your dream location and finding out that they have no space available, so be sure to make a reservation.
When siting your tent at your campsite, be sure to place a waterproof tarp on the ground before erecting your tent. In this situation, size really does matter. Use a tarp that is about 2 inches smaller than the tent floor, or cut a larger one down if need be. It should never extend beyond the edge of your tent floor. A tarp that is too large can collect water that will be channeled right back into your tent.
Practice campfire safety. Make sure your fire pit is not built near any tree branches that hangover. Keep the pit enclosed with either a ring of rocks or a metal ring. Keep shovels and a bucket of water near the fire at all times. Never leave your campfire unattended and completely put it out prior to leaving.
To save on time and fuel when cooking, take a rack for your fire ring. You can prepare foods more easily over an open fire than you can on a small camping stove. Pans can be set on the rack or you can use it canvas dome tent for sale as a grill top to cook your food over an open flame.
Now you should be ready to conquer your next camping excursion with these tips. Don't forget them next time you go camping. It will allow you to pack correctly and not forget things so you're able to have a worry-free camping experience.
