In an age filled with technology, electronics and a daily battle to escape from these communication pressures, vacation time should be as far removed from these intrusions as possible. Escaping into the great outdoors for some fresh air and no power outlets is always a great option. Everything you need to know about camping but were afraid to ask can be answered in the following article.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Don't get into this situation, look for proper shelter before you get to this point.
Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. Hypothermia can be experienced, as well.
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!
Prior to leaving on your camping adventure, look at the weather forecast in the location your are going to be camping. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip. If you have the correct information, you can pack properly.
Make sure you have a first aid kit with you. As an alternative, you could pack some supplies in a plastic bag. While hopefully your trip will be free of injuries, you never know. It is best to be prepared so that you can handle anything that happens in the best way possible.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
When you go camping, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. Walking in wooded areas, you can come across almost anything; not to mention things can fall on your feet. You may also want to take a hike. So the next time you go out camping, make sure to wear shoes that can go everywhere you want to go.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations canvas a frame tent get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
When looking into a campground, inquire about the different fees they may charge. You may find that you are charged for water, electric, fire wood and additional campers. Learning the fees ahead of time will allow you to properly budget for your camping trip. It will help you avoid becoming stressed at the gates and ruining your trip.
Especially if you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you know how to get ice. Ice melts rather fast, and you're going to need more. Sometimes you can buy ice at the campsite, or sometimes at a store, but there are times when ice isn't so close to where you're camping.
If cooking is not your strong suit, and you want to keep things simple camping, find a local military surplus store and look for MRE's. Meals Ready to Eat are freeze dried foods that usually just require water for preparation. If you wanting an easy meal and not looking for great taste, these can even be consumed without cooking.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries. It can get quite dark at night, away from all the city lights. A light source is very important. Bring a few spare flashlights just in case. Make sure that you pack extra batteries as well. A light source is something you do not want to find yourself without.
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 setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
If you plan on camping, you should bring along shoes that can get wet. Shower shoes, slip-ons, water shoes, or flip-flops that you don't mind getting wet work best. These can easily be used to walk around a shared shower facility, go to the bathroom at night, go to a swimming hole, or even a pool. They're easy to put on and take off anytime you need.
Leave your camping spot as clean as, or cleaner than you found it. It is important to show respect to the land and to others by cleaning up your camping area. If it was a mess when you got there, you can do a good deed and make it cleaner.
Far from the office, nightmarish commutes and the hustle and bustle of modern living, you've got so much to enjoy on a camping trip! Hopefully this article has provided you with some useful tips that will help to make your next camping trip enjoyable and free from any major disasters!
