How long has it been since you've been camping? Camping is well known as a cherished pastime by many people for a variety of reasons. You are able to completely relax because you aren't distracted by anything. Read on to learn how to enhance your experience the next time you go camping.
When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Make a list of things you need to take with you before you go camping. You may think you are great at packing, but little else is worse than being out in the middle of the woods and realizing you forgot your allergy medication. Sit down and create a comprehensive list of everything you might need during the week before your camping trip.
Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you've set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it's much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Make sure you buy a tent that is big enough for your needs. Many people find themselves crowded in a tent for no reason. Tents are lightweight and very compact, so there is no reason not to have enough space when you buy a tent. Make sure you're buying for comfort.
Practice makes perfect when pitching a tent. Take the time to put the tent up before leaving for your trip. This allows you to build your proficiency at erecting the tent, and will also help locate any issues with the tent in case you need to exchange it for a better option.
Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Camping pillows are made with a canvas sauna tent protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. Keep a plastic bag right next to the dryer and put the lint in there. You can just go about your business after that.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
Always inform friends and family of your camping trip and location. Make sure to establish contact numbers and pertinent information on how to find you should something untoward occur. When you have a safety net like this in place, it will allow you to relax on your trip, knowing help can always find you.
Camping can either be an extremely relaxing or an extremely torturous experience. How your camping experience turns out is down to one key factor: preparation. If you know how to prepare for everything that may pop up, you'll be able to better enjoy your trip.
Many people fail to plan properly in order to ensure that they get a good night's sleep when camping. The temperature difference between the ground and your body can be quite different, even if the weather is warm. Make sure you bring the proper sleeping gear to make your evening comfortable for you.
Make it a habit to leave no sign of you having camped at a location. As a camper, you're aware of how beautiful nature really is. It's your job to help keep it that way. Take any trash with you to dispose of properly. Before you go, circle your camping ground a second time to look for any litter you may have missed.
Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. People quickly realize that camping near bathrooms is a bad idea. There is usually light in that area, as well as heavy foot traffic. They may end up ruining the entire experience.
If you feel as though you are an advanced camper and what to add a challenge back into the activity, you can look into wilderness survival. This is quite difficult; however, and should just be undertaken by the most advanced camper. This type of trip means only eating food that you catch or find yourself!
Making a great camping trip can be as simple as following the tips in this article. The information here is just the beginning and will make your trip more enjoyable. Each time you go camping, you will learn more new experiences that will help make your trips better each time you go.
