How heavy should your backpacking tent be?
It's always important to do a little research about camping before setting off on your trip. There are so many different things that can happen while you are out there. It doesn't hurt to be prepared, and can save you a lot of trouble. Here is some advice to help you have the best camping trip possible.
Try to get to the campsite well before nightfall. This allows you to get a feel for the lay of the land and gives you the opportunity to set up camp while you can still see what you are doing. In addition, it lets your children feel a little more comfortable with their surroundings because they will have time to explore.
While you may count on Mother Nature to have plenty of wood to stoke your campfire, you may encounter only wet wood that won't burn. It's important that you bring extra wood with you that you can keep in a dry area.
When you pack up your camp site to go home, leave a few logs and some kindling for the next camping group that comes along. If you have ever arrived at your site after dark, you know how tough it can be to find firewood! It's a very nice pay-it-forward gesture that will probably help out more than you can imagine.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don't want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. When you are in the woods with nothing around but trees, they may become bored. They may not know how to fish or pitch tents. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
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.
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.
A large number of camping related injuries are due directly to carelessness with fire, so be sure to use fire with caution. First, make sure that fires are permissible in the area of your camp site. Set a ring of stones around the fire to keep it contained. Never leave children unsupervised near an open fire.
Never hike alone. It may sound juvenile, but always use the buddy system. It can be easy to get lost or turned around in nature. You could slip and hurt yourself. In instances like these, it is best to have someone along. Even if you have your cellphone handy, you may find it doesn't get reception in the woods.
When camping, many people wake up in the morning, only to find out they they have left items out that are now wet. This is because of the morning dew, which can hardly be avoided. If the weather conditions are right, dew is inevitable, so make sure you put things away.
The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. Use it to cover any holes or rips that appear in tents or hold together items that break. If you want to take a long hike it can be put on feet to keep blisters at bay. If anyone hurts themselves, it can be used for securing splints or for covering wounds, provided something soft is placed between the tape and skin.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
Bugs can be a major problem with camping; they can cause disease, get into your food, and just be a nuisance. Take the proper measures to keep them away. This includes not putting on perfume or cologne, lighting citronella candles, avoiding swamp lands, and covering your skin, so they are not attracted best tent fans to your scent.
Be mindful of the environment when you go camping. Whatever you carry into a campsite, make sure that you remove it when you leave. This will eliminate litter and protect the natural environment. Before leaving, the area you have inhabited should be as clean as you would want it if you were just arriving to camp there that day.
Always check the weather forecast before you go camping so that you know what kind of clothing you will need. You could be very cold if a front blow through, and you did not pack jackets and blankets. In addition, consider packing some rain ponchos in case any storm's blow through.
It is important that you dress appropriately for the outdoors when you go on a camping trip. Dressing in layers is the key! This proves perfect when temperatures increase in the summertime, or cool down in the wintertime. Don't forget to pack some rain gear in case the conditions turn wet.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. While this might be convenient, you'll soon find out differently. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. This can lead to difficulty sleeping and other discomforts that you want to avoid.
If you are camping in the mountains or higher elevation, be prepared for cold temperatures. Even in the summer, people just assume that mountains are as warm as it is on flat land; this is simply not true. Have ample blankets with you and be sure to bring proper clothing.
Since you've looked at this piece, you now know the most important parts of camping. Camping is not intended to be an intense event, but there is a bit of know-how required to make it stress free. Apply what you've just learned, and have a wonderful trip.