No matter if you are planning your first ever camping trip or are a seasoned pro at it, there is always something to learn! Check out the tips in the following article for some helpful ways of getting more out of camping, with less effort and inconveniences than you ever thought possible.
When packing for your camping trip, do not forget chairs and a radio. One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire. You could sit on an old log, but why bother when you can pack chairs and be comfortable. The radio is for entertainment sitting around the fire. An even better idea is to bring your guitar for a sing along.
Try to get to the campsite well before nightfall. This allows you to get a feel for the lay of the land and gives you the opportunity to set up camp while you can still see what you are doing. In addition, it lets your children feel a little more comfortable with their surroundings because they will have time to explore.
Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.
Bring supplies for ‘Smores. ‘Smores are an integral part of any camping trip. Simply pack graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows, then make it the filling to a graham cracker/chocolate sandwich. When you have a ‘Smore, you will want ‘some more’–bring enough for everyone to have at least two of them!
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
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.
When preparing for a camping trip, people often fail to bring enough clothes. Remember that there will be no washing facilities, and you also need to think about how the weather can call for certain specific attire as well at times. You always want to be prepared, so pack accordingly.
Bring along some fun activities on the trip. Create a good scavenger hunt list, pack some fishing poles and carry along some board or card games to entertain you while sitting in the middle of the woods. If you’re bringing along kids, it doesn’t hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Just because your tent is labeled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. It has a myriad of uses for campers, just as it does for homeowners. It can be used to fix a hole in your air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. You can even use it to hold on a makeshift bandage.
Generally when you camp, you want to live with as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. A sleeping bag is a must, and extra blankets should also be considered. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.
Whenever you are near any type of plants, always wear clothing that will cover you from head to toe. Doing this will help prevent you from breaking out during your camping stay. Although this may only be a mild breakout, you could be allergic to certain plants, which could put you at serious risk. Wearing clothing will prevent this from occurring.
Wear closed-toe shoes when camping. While walking with open-toe shoes or barefoot in nature may sound appealing, there are a lot of treacherous things on the ground that can harm your feet including rocks, sticks, poisonous plants and even animals. Protect your feet completely by always wearing shoes that protect you completely.
Know what types of poisonous plants to watch out for when you are camping. This is especially important if you have kids and they are unaware of dangers lurking. The three common poisonous plants to watch out for are poison ivy, poison sumac and poison-oak. The best rule of thumb to remember these plants by, avoid trees with three leaves or carrying berries.
Camping is a great activity for anyone, but it will be so much more enjoyable if you go deer hunting and plan for it properly and anticipate the many things that can go awry. Keep the helpful tips of this article in mind as you get ready for your camping outing and have a ball!