Does touching a tent make it leak?
Camping can be great fun, but it really isn't something you just want to do on a whim. It will work out much better if you plan a camping trip and plan it well. The following article outlines important things you should consider before heading out for that weekend getting in touch with nature.
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.
Be sure to know the recent conditions of where you will be staying. For example, you will want to know if the area will be dry enough to find suitable firewood. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.
If you are planning any kind of backcountry camping, a must carry item is a fire starter kit. If you are in a survival situation, fire is a way to cook, keep you warm, purify water, and signal for help. Many camping stores sell fire starters that can be used when wet and do not require any fuel. Also, try making fire when you are not in a survival situation so you know you can do it if the need arises.
Get everything you need ready for your meals before you get to your campsite. If you are only camping for a few days, this initial trip to the store should be all that you need to do. Stock up on nonperishable items, too. You don't want you or your family members to be hungry on your trip.
Know the climate of your camping area. You will want to have the proper clothing packed for the trip. Knowing how cold the nights get or how hot the days are will help you dress best. You will not want to get caught in the great outdoors with inadequate protection.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Regular house pillows will become sticky and uncomfortable when exposed to humidity. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. It's easy to look at photos online of harmful plants like poison ivy so that they are aware that they should not touch them when they're camping.
Plan for every situation that you can think of before packing for your trip. Remember, though, that you can't plan for every eventuality. The weather could change suddenly, you could encounter hostile people or animals, and someone could become sick or injured. Don't take risks, think ahead before doing anything and be careful.
Check out your medical insurance policy. Sometimes going into a different state means that you will need to have an additional policy. This is a bigger factor if you're traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. If you select a bumpy or slanted area, you will have an uncomfortable experience in your tent. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.
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.
Wear layered clothing to manage your body temperature. When camping, it is a hassle to have to change clothing when temperatures suddenly rise or drop. However, if you layer your clothing, you will be able to quickly and easily peel off or put on layers of clothing as the need arises.
Part of the fun of camping is cooking over an open fire or on a camp stove. To make sure you don't forget to pack any key ingredients, make a list of the meals you plan on preparing. Don't forget to take a small cutting board along with you so you have a clean surface for food preparation. Also remember to pack a couple of potholder or oven mitts to handle hot utensils, such as marshmallow forks.
One thing that many people forget to pack for their camping trips is the Sun-block. Even if you tan very well, there is no excuse not to protect you from the sun. In the short term, you will end up with a horrible burn, but in the long run it can give you serious problems with cancer.
Make sure you always have a source of clean water with you. When camping, you can't always trust that a natural water source is clean enough to drink from without boiling the water first. So keep a canteen filled with water at your side during any daily adventure. In the evenings, boil any spring water for ten minutes to create clean water reserves for the next day.
A Frisbee is a great toy to take for entertainment when camping. It is easy to pack and fun. But in addition to its use as a game, it is also a great way to strengthen a paper plate. Just place the plate into the middle of the Frisbee at meal times and the plate will not collapse no matter how big your hamburger.
It's a good idea to maintain hygiene when camping. Items like washcloths, sponges, bowls, biodegradable soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baking soda, floss, and clean water can help you stay clean during your trip. You can also use hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and cotton balls on non-sensitive areas. Don't use anything with fragrances since they can attract bugs.
If cooking is not your strong suit, and you want to keep things simple camping, find a local military surplus store bell tent carpet 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.
Learning and living with nature is one of the best ways to spend your hard earned vacation time. Pack and prepare with everything you need to make your camping adventure a success, and be sure to keep all the tips from this article in mind to make it go more smoothly.