What is traditional camping?
When done well, camping is among life's true pleasures. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure alone or with friends and family, it is important to familiarize yourself with tried and true camping tips and advice. The article that follows offers just the start any burgeoning outdoors enthusiast might need to plan their next outing.
Although it is not an essential part of your back country camping gear, a machete is something that you may consider packing depending on where you are going. It is a very versatile tool in the wilderness. You can cut a trail, hack bamboo and vines for shelter, cut coconuts for water, chop firewood, and even use it as protection against wild animals.
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.
Purchase a quality tent. It can be tempting to score a good deal on a tent, but you want to find something that can hold both you, your family members and your belongings. Try visiting a store that specializes in outdoor gear. They tend to have well-made products that will last for a while.
Preparation is key to enjoying your camping trip. You must make sure you are completely prepared before you go camping. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
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.
Many people are deterred from camping because they have to sleep on the ground, but you do not have to be uncomfortable when you go camping. Stop by the local drug store and purchase some inexpensive pool floats. These are far more comfortable than the ground to sleep on, and will keep you high and dry as well.
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.
If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You could have problems with your gear, or you may find you don't like camping. Novice campers sometimes don't pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. A lot of issues can happen for the new camper, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.
Choose your campsite carefully. The location in which you're camping can make all the difference. Do plenty of research before you make any plans. What is the weather like? Does the campsite have specific rules? How crowded will the campsite be? Poor planning can make for a miserable camping experience.
Before you even leave your camping trip, try practicing pitching a tent in your backyard or some other open space. People do not know how difficult pitching a tent can be; you do not want to get to camp and realize you have no idea what you are doing. Practice makes perfect!
Make sure that you know how to get a campfire burning before you head out into the woods. If you have difficulties getting a fire started, look for fire starting supplies to take with you. These supplies make it easy for just about anyone to start a fire on the spot.
It is extremely important to be properly equipped when you go camping. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster. Make sure to write a list down and cross things off as they are packed. Good items to bring include a sleeping bag, water, food, hygiene supplies and things that can help you get a fire started.
Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. If you are going camping with children, you need to make sure that you bring a lot of things to keep them entertained during the trip.
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.
Bringing along a cell phone with a full charge isn't a bad idea while camping. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
If you are going to be camping during the winter, select a sleeping bag that is mummy-shaped. This type of sleeping bag fits around your feet well, which will help keep you warm by preserving your body heat. In addition, packing this mummy-shaped bag for your trip is very easy.
Try to prevent your tent from getting wet and be sure it is properly ventilated. You risk condensation building up inside the tent if you seal it up completely. This can make you wake up soaked. You want to check your tent before you sleep to see if there are any cracks or holes.
On camping trips of longer duration, bring some entertaining activities along. Don't bring a ton of electronics, but a book or music is great.
Don't ever use any kind of gasoline or fuels you'd use in your car to start a campfire. Making a campfire can be frustrating, especially in unfavorable elements, but you need to avoid making dangerous decisions. This can cause injury or death summer camp wedding to you or the other campers. There are many safer ways to make a campfire, so try learning those methods before the trip.
Camping is a great activity for anyone, but it will be so much more enjoyable if you plan for it properly and anticipate the many things that can go awry. Keep the helpful tips of this article in mind as you get ready for your camping outing and have a ball!