Where can I pitch a tent?
Thanks to the insurgence of reality shows that focus on surviving in the wild, camping has become very popular in recent years. Keep reading to find out more about how to have an enjoyable experience that your family will remember for years.
If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.
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.
When packing for your camping adventure, make sure you pack only what you need for mealtimes. If you are at the campground, your food will have to stay cold so it does not spoil. If you are on the trail, any additional or excess food can be a burden. If you pack just enough food for the time you are on the trail, you will not be weighed down by excess weight.
Always set up a new tent once at home before taking it camping. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.
Don't worry about over-packing for the kids. Camping can be a sloppy time. Children love the dirt. This means that your kids will get dirty during the day. You may not be able to keep them clean, but you can bring a change of clothes. Staying prepared is the best way to avoid issues on your trip.
Pack what is necessary for your children. Camping can be quite dirty. Kids simply love to get dirty. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. By packing a few extra changes of clothes, your children can be presentable at dinner. Prepare thoroughly!
Even if you're not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you're going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you'll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.
Bring some duct tape on your camping trip. This item has many uses and can help you save a lot of time and money. Tape can be used to seal holes in your sleeping mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. If you're planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. In a pinch, it can even serve as a bandage for injuries.
If you are camping outdoors instead of in a travel trailer or RV, it is important to dress in (or carry with you) layers of clothing. While on a camping trip, temperatures can fluctuate widely. The easiest and most effective method to control your body temperature is through adding and bell tent platform removing layers of clothing. Having layers of clothing also protects you from bug bites.
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.
Save space in your bag by leaving mixing spoons and containers behind, and instead just bring plastic zip-lock bags. Place the foods or liquids that you want to mix in the bag, and ensure that the zipper is well closed before mixing. Not only do the bags take up considerably less space than bowls and spoons, but they're much more lightweight as well!
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. You can wrap up leftovers well, keep them away from the tent and use other precautions to protect yourself. You will be less likely to have an attack with these procedures.
Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.
Having a roll of grey duct tape is a good idea when camping. Tents are pretty strong, but they can suffer tears. A piece of durable duct tape can keep you dry at night, even if your tent was damaged by accident.
Keep safety in mind on your camping trip. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit along with the traditional bandaging supplies and antibiotic ointment. But throw into the mix some antihistamine for bug bites and bee stings, pain reliever, hand sanitizer and any other items that could come in handy in the outdoors.
Do you know what means you are going to use to cook your food? Knowing how you will prepare your food is essential for a smooth camping trip. Cooking over an open fire requires different supplies than cooking on a grill. Know what cooking method you will use so you can be prepared to fix meals over the fire if you so desire.
If you are sleeping in a tent bring a rug or welcome mat. It is easy to track dirt and debris into your tent. This can be very unpleasant and uncomfortable to sleep on at night. To combat this, put a rug outside the entrance and wipe your feet before you enter.
Camping is a fun experience, but requires being prepared and knowing a few things. Apply what you've just learned prior to leaving for your next trip. If you take the advice that was shared above, you'll be more likely to enjoy your experience.