If you are thinking of taking the trip of a lifetime, you should consider camping as one of your vacation ideas. It does not matter if you are thinking of hiking the Appalachian Trail or going to the local campground, the memories of your camping trip will last a life time. Use these tips to help ensure you have a safe and exciting adventure.
Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.
When packing for your camping trip, make sure to pack either a pair of flip flops or water shoes. These will come in handy in and around the campground. For instance, if you are staying in a campground that has bathroom facilities and you plan on taking a shower, you need to wear shoes in the shower to protect your feet from foot fungus.
Particularly, if you have children, you need to consider what to do if you have inclement weather one day. Gather together a few supplies to have on hand in case you need to stay in your tent. Bring a board game, play doh and art supplies. Don't let your family members touch these items until it rains so that they don't lose their appeal.
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.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be messy. Almost every child will want to play in the dirt or mud, constantly. This means that as the day goes on, the dirtier your kids will get. Know that you must accept that fact, but have a change of clothing for them so they can be comfortable. There is nothing like being prepared!
Make sure that your bags include oranges, since these double up as both a handy and healthy snack but also serve as an organic and natural repellant of mosquitoes. After you have eaten the orange, rub the peel onto exposed body parts and this will repel any blood-sucking bugs.
Carry a survival kit on your person. You need to pack a flare gun, utility knife, matches and a first aid kit. This kit could be the difference between life and death. Your kit should not be left behind at the camp site, but should be carried with you wherever you go.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. It can also fix up a tarp, sleeping bag, or even the tent. Putting some on your feet before hiking can prevent blisters. In a pinch, it can even serve as a bandage for injuries.
Know what is available in the area around your campsite. You may get lucky and have beautiful weather the entire time. However, you may also face inclement weather, too. Have a backup plan in case you need a diversion. This is particularly crucial if you have kids, but adults need a little entertainment as well!
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
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 to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
When camping out, you're going to have bugs. Some of them are fine, and some of them; you don't want them around you. To limit the amount of bugs you must deal with, keep your campsite clean. Bees and ants are attracted to sugary soda cans and messes, so dispose of your trash immediately.
Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.
You should be sure you have survival and first aid kits. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. A survival kits and first aid kits can save your life.
When bringing the kids along for the ride, keep a picture on your person at all times. This can help you locate your children quickly if they are lost during the trip. You should bring another photo to keep in case of emergencies.
Make plans in advance so you can have the most fun. Campfires and marshmallows are not the only things to do on a camping trip. Think about enjoyable activities for all family members. Take your large tent canvas children's age into consideration when making plans.
When it comes to tents, you should understand that bigger is not always better. Keep in mind that you are going to have to drag your tent to the campsite. To make sure that your tent is not too large for you to haul and set up, test it out at your home first.
Now that you know enough about camping, you should have no problem going on your first camping trip. You can finally stop wondering about camping and actually go outside and experience it. Just use the camping information you've read to guide you every step of the way and you should be fine.
