Fishing, Hunting and Camping
Tips, articles and reviews by people like you.
Love To Camp? Take These Ideas On Your Next Adventure
[youtube
With the large number of reality shows about outdoor life on TV, it is no wonder that camping is becoming more and more popular these days. If you’re ready for an outdoor excursion that is fun and memorable, continue reading to learn how to go about it the right way.
A well stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential to any camping trip. This kit should include items that are necessary in the event of an accident. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Safety is important when camping, but accidents do happen, so you have to be prepared.
Sleeping Bag
Choose a sleeping bag that is seasonally appropriate. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. On the other hand, you don’t want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you’re going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. You might even get hypothermia.
Remember that your loved ones and possessions will get filthy. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. There’s plenty of time for showers and being super clean once you’re home again.
TIP! Try to get your camp fully set up by nightfall. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle.
Make sure to pack plenty of food, and pack the right kind too. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
How do you plan to cook your food when you camp? Make sure that you decide on the food items that you will bring beforehand. If you want to eat food that is cooked over an open flame, you must have the proper equipment.
Bring waterproof matches as part of your survival kit. Store them inside an airtight container. You could also make your own by coating them with nail polish before you leave for your trip. An empty prescription bottle or an old film container makes great storage for your matches.
TIP! There are many ways to use the ordinary newspaper on a typical camping trip. It is great to have for reading material; however, it’s uses don’t stop there.
Enroll in a first aid course, especially if your trip will include kids. Should an emergency arise, your knowledge of first aid can prevent further issues until help arrives. Be sure to research beforehand. Figure out what wild animals are hanging out there and what kinds of poisonous snakes or bugs are sneaking around.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Openly talk about the various options available to you. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. It’s always important to understand that while you may be curious about wildlife, do not get too close or encourage them to come near you, no matter their size. Squirrels, raccoons and the like can be quite dangerous, even though they are small. It shouldn’t need to be said, but do not give bears food if you encounter them.
TIP! Before going camping, make sure you know how to read your map or how to use your compass. You need to do this even if you’ve been to the campsite before.
Plan what you will do from the time you arrive until you leave to make your trip fun. There are many things to do other than roasting marshmallows and sitting by the campfire. Try to be creative and do some activities that every family member can have fun with. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
If the area in which you’ll be camping is well known for wildlife that poses a danger, special precautions must be taken regarding your food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don’t escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. This can help you to prevent an attack from a wild animal.
Create a snake-proof campsite if there are snakes in the area. This means avoid going near thick brush, piles of rocks and woodpiles. Check all of your gear to be sure a snake hasn’t slithered into items like your boots, bags, or clothes. Pack the area around your tent with sand so a snake can’t get in while you are sleeping.
TIP! Keep a trail map handy at every turn. If you aren’t careful, you might become lost in the wilderness.
Make sure you have a charged phone somewhere near you, like in the car. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
You will have now realized that camping does require a little thought. But you should now be equipped to handle basic things that come your way. Since you now know what might can happen, you can reserve your attention to focusing on fun!
Camping The Easy Way With These Tips
You may have camped as a child, but it still has a lot to offer you. You can still enjoy yourself if you just have the right information and the passion to create a memorable experience. Use these tips for help.
Sleeping Bag
TIP! It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you will need to use the woods.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You might develop hypothermia.
Clean your campsite when you finish camping. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Don’t leave any food behind either. The only thing you want left are your footprints when you are gone.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. You will likely need to see when it gets dark out. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. If you have little ones with you, make sure to pack a flashlight for them, too.
TIP! Check your packed bag a few times to make sure you bring everything with you when you camp. By doing this you’ll figure out how things fit together in your bags, and you’ll also be able to figure out if you’re forgetting anything you really need.
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.
Keep a trail map handy at every turn. It is easy to get lost by just making a wrong turn. A map will help you quickly find your way to your camp before dark.
Double check your medical insurance. Sometimes going into a different state means that you will need to have an additional policy. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
TIP! Look through old recipe books while planning a camping trip. Eating the same old foods every meal during a camping trip can become a drag.
Camping can create lifelong friendships with other campers. Stay social and talk to campground neighbors. Most campers are quite sociable. You’re missing out on a lot if you aren’t being social during your camping experience.
Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. How you prepare for your camping trip will make or break your weekend. Being ready to tackle any situation that may arise will allow you to have an enjoyable trip.
Duct tape is a handy tool to carry when you are camping. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, tent holes, worn soles on shoes, sealing mosquito nets, securing tent poles, and so much more.
TIP! Always pack enough for your kids. Going camping can get really dirty.
Often, those new to camping make the erroneous choice of putting up tents too close to restrooms. While this can seem convenient, it really isn’t. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
If you’re camping where there are snakes, make your campsite snake-proof. Stay away from piles of rocks or wood as well as thick or deep brush. Investigate your gear before packing up to make sure you aren’t toting a snake in your bags, boots or clothing. Seal off everything before you leave for any walks, that way you don’t get a surprise when you come back.
Make sure you follow public campground rules when necessary. These rules may be posted, or they may be unwritten. Typically, stop your music before 11pm as common courtesy to the people in the surrounding area.
TIP! While it’s not required, you should leave a bit of firewood for the future campers at your site. A lot of people get to their campsite late, and after they spend a lot of time setting up their site and cook, they run of time to get firewood.
Essential camping items include hats, toiletries, flashlights and batteries. Nothing is worse than having to use the bathroom in the dark, so be prepared so that you can provide light. A hat can shield you from the sun and hide wild hair, while toiletries can help you stay clean during your trip.
Always pack extra food and clothing when you are camping. You want to have enough clothing and food if something unexpected happens. It’s better to have too much food than to experience an unexpected extension of your stay and have nothing to eat.
A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. This kit should feature a survival knife, waterproof matches, tablets for purifying water, a flare gun, and a first-aid kit. This kit may keep you alive if you are lost and these items are indispensable for a survival situation. Carry it at all times.
TIP! Duct tape is an imperative item to bring with you on your camping trip into the wilderness. It has as many uses on the campsite as it does at home.
Inform your children of possible dangers before taking them camping. Ensure you children know what poison ivy and poison oak looks like, what to do if they get lost or stumble upon wildlife.
With just a little bit of advice, you can relive the wonderful childhood memories of those exciting camping trips of yesterday. The information presented within this article can hopefully get your mind going so that you are able to recapture the passion for camping that you once knew.