Many people think camping only involves sitting around bored while rationing food and getting bitten by bugs. This doesn’t have to be the case. You can enjoy yourself, have great meals, and avoid insects if you do a little planning. Keep reading for some great ideas to make your trip a pleasurable one.
Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. While baby wipes can be used to help for some level of cleanliness, expect that people will get dirty. Be ready for it and accept it. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! You can reclaim the normalcy in your life when you arrive back home.
Review the medical coverage that you have. You might need a new policy if you go to another state. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Dryer lint can make great kindling for creating campfires. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise and have a plan in place. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Take precautions for wildlife too, so keep some anti-venom on hand.
Duct tape is important to pack because it can be used for a good bit of things. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, tent holes, worn soles on shoes, sealing mosquito nets, securing tent poles, and so much more.
Purchase some special camping pillows. Standard pillows can get hot and sticky in humid weather. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. You can easily press the “on” switch on a flashlight when digging in your camping bag. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This prevents the flashlight from coming on and will ensure it is ready for use when needed.
Create a list of the items you must bring before you go camping. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Use your list to guide your packing and make sure to start packing a few days before the start of your trip.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.
Always take along a survival and first aid kit when you’re going camping. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. You may be able to keep an emergency from going from bad to worse.
Don’t leave your campsite a mess! Be sure to pack large plastic bags for clearing away trash. Don’t leave any food behind either. The only thing you want left are your footprints when you are gone.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. If your food isn’t prepacked or canned, food poisoning might be a risk. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.
As you can see, camping can actually be a lot of fun. Apply what you’ve learned here to your next camping trip. That way, you’ll be able to avoid the camping pitfalls and enjoy all the good things about it.
