If you've ever been camping before, then you know how hard it is to plan a camping trip. You have to find the right location for a camp site, choose what to bring, plan for bad weather, and more. Luckily for you, planning your next camping trip can be easier thanks to the following article.
If you are going backcountry camping, you should probably carry a snake bite kit in your gear. The best snake bite kits are the ones that use suction. Some kits have scalpels and blood flow constrictors in them. Scalpels can actually cut the poison into the blood stream faster, and constrictors can be deadly if not used properly.
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.
When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.
Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.
If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.
Before you leave home to go camping, check to see if inclement weather is predicted in the area you are planning to visit. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. When you have accurate weather information, the right clothing and equipment can be included in your supplies.
It is important to have a flashlight when you camp, but make sure the batteries are fully charged. One way to be sure the batteries don't accidentally drain on the journey is to put them into the flashlight backwards. That way if the switch is accidentally engaged, they stay charged. Plus, you know where the batteries are.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. Overlooking even a small thing can ruin an entire trip. Write a list of essentials and as you pack the items, cross them off. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
If you are camping for the first time, try to practice pitching a tent before your trip. This is a valuable camping skill to possess, especially when it can be done quickly. You don't want to be out on your trip and not know how to put up a tent right away when the weather takes an unexpected turn.
Trail mix and beef jerky are a couple great things to bring along on a camping trip. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying. These foods are non-perishable; if you do not use them, you can simply bring them home.
For easier food preparation on a camping trip, prepare ingredients at home, and pack them in plastic zipper bags. You might want to chop, and other ingredients can be cooked quickly and easily when the prep work is done ahead of time. Throw a few bags of vegetables and meat into a pot over a fire, and you have soup or stew!
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. You don't want to waste your flashlight battery and not be able to see. If you want to avoid draining your batteries, keep flashlights stored with backwards batteries in them. This will ensure they do not drain if the flashlight is accidentally turned on.
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.
You should carry a survival knife on your camping trips. This portable knife can be used for hunting, for protection, and for a signal if you need help. You need to carry one that is durable, so try to invest in a quality knife from an outdoor goods or camping store.
When you're setting up a tent it's important to seal every seam. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn't get any with your tent. This can keep rainwater, insects and animals from invading your tent.
If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.
While it may sound obvious, don't forget to pack the toilet paper when you head out for a camping trip. When camping at a facility without public bathrooms, you will need to do your business outside. Without toilet paper, your only option is to use a few leaves to wipe. This is not pleasant and might canvas expedition tent even contain poison ivy or poison oak.
Nothing has the potential for creating lifetime memories quite like camping. Including your friends and family on your next outing can be a tremendous experience as long as you have a good grasp of camping fundamentals. By taking the concepts in the above article to heart, you will be prepared to experience the outdoors like an expert.
