What do you call a campsite without a tent?
In this article, we are going to teach you everything you need to know about a camping adventure. Camping is an experience that is enjoyable for the whole family. In order to have the most pleasurable experience, heed the tips in the article below.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once it is dark in the woods, pitching a tent can be next to impossible, finding firewood can be difficult and preparing food hard. That is particularly true if you aren't used to the blackness of the wilderness. Don't get into this situation, look for proper shelter before you get to this point.
Plan accordingly when it comes to food. It is a hassle to make room in your car for all the food you need. However, proper nourishment is crucial when you are in the woods. Also, items that are fairly inexpensive in your local store often carry a higher price tag near camping sites. Bringing enough food means that you will save money and keep everyone in your family in a good mood.
Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. If you don't take it with you on excursions it will serve you no good.
If you'd like to prevent mosquito bites, but want to avoid using harsh chemicals, use an orange peel instead. Rub the orange peel over exposed areas of the skin, such as the neck, arms, face and legs to naturally repel mosquitoes. Not only will the orange peels feel better on your skin than traditional repelling chemicals, but they will smell better, too!
If you are camping with others, ensure that there is something available to keep everyone entertained. There is nothing worse than a bored campmate, as they will constantly pester you for activities. Talk to your family and friends before hand and make sure they know how to entertain themselves for the trip.
Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel--bring it.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
Make sure you have cover in case of rain. When you're out in the woods, a rainstorm can be wet, cold and uncomfortable. Make sure you have some kind of protection against the rain, whether it be a tent, cabin or lean-to. In a pinch, you can use a garbage bag as a poncho!
Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how wall tent living to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn't going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.
It is important to have a flashlight when you camp, but make sure the batteries are fully charged. One way to be sure the batteries don't accidentally drain on the journey is to put them into the flashlight backwards. That way if the switch is accidentally engaged, they stay charged. Plus, you know where the batteries are.
If you're bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it's wearing its tags. Losing track of a pet can be heartbreaking. Make sure your dog is wearing its dog license and an ID with contact information before you leave on your trip. Neglecting to do so can have tragic consequences.
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!
A utility knife is one of the most useful camping tools. An utility knife is the most versatile tool you'll have as a camper, and bring another one if you should lose the other.
If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.
Make sure that you dress appropriately for your camping trip. Your clothing should be loose, clean, and comfortable. You should also pay attention to the weather. If you notice it will be cold, make sure you wear several layers of thicker clothing. If there is a chance of rain, make sure you bring along a waterproof poncho. You do not want to be stuck in the wilderness without the proper clothing.
Many people get food poisoning when camping because of improper packing every year. If food is not properly vacuum-sealed, canned, or preserved, you risk getting sick from spoiled food. Make sure you keep all perishable food on ice, but keep the drain open!
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.
Now that you've been introduced to the basics of camping, you should be more confident in your knowledge when you head out on your first trip. Camping can change your view of nature and the great outdoors for the better if you have the knowledge to camp properly. Now that you are well prepared, you can enjoy a great camping trip!