Can you live in a canvas tent?
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.
A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.
A good multi-purpose tool needs to be part of your camping gear. There are two kinds to bring. First is the saw/hammer/axe 3-in-1 tool to use for firewood and other chores. The other is the standard multi-purpose tool with a variety of tools on it like a can opener, tweezers, scissors, and a knife.
Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.
Make sure to see what the weather forecast is for the town you are camping in. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Keep in mind that you, your family, and everything you take with you is probably going to be dirty. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Have fun and go with the moment rather than stressing and worrying about it. When you're home, you can be normal again.
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.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. Blankets are essential, in addition to a sleeping bag, to maximize comfort. This will help you to stay warm, comfortable and safe during a cold or wet night.
When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.
Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!
Be certain you are prepared for any event when you're camping. Anything can happen while camping so it is crucial to be prepared. The weather is something that can change suddenly, and that can make the environment become more dangerous. Do what you can to prevent any accidents or illnesses and bring what you need to treat it if it does happen.
Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.
Don't let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. It's possible to accidentally hit the "on" button on your flashlight. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
You should be sure you have survival and first aid kits. These two items can keep you from ending a trip abruptly and handling many situations swiftly and easily. A survival kits and first aid kits can save your life.
The best tip in camping is to decide where you are going to camp and who is going to camp with you before you go. You need to pack for everyone and make sure there are facilities available. If you add any additional people at the last minute, you need to add additional food and supplies for them.
Keep safety in mind on your camping trip. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit along with the traditional bandaging supplies and antibiotic ointment. But throw into the mix some antihistamine for bug bites and bee stings, pain reliever, hand sanitizer and any other items that could come in handy in the outdoors.
Start your camping trip off the easy way with a precooked meal that can be kept in a cooler. There are many things that must be done on the first day and knowing that you have a delicious meal already prepared bell tent platform can make the end of the day relaxing and more enjoyable.
The potential for camping trips to become memorable vacations that will be remembered long into the future is great. However, in order to be prepared for anything that may arise along the way, some advance research can make all the difference. The preceding article should hopefully provide the right start for any aspiring camper.