Camping is one of Americas greatest traditions, however many people make common mistakes when venturing out to the great outdoors. The following article has some helpful advice on how you can make your next camping trip more enjoyable while also remaining as safe as possible. Read on to learn some key camping tips. A great tip for anyone that is going camping is to take plenty of water. In this case, there is absolutely no such thing as too much water. Plan out how much water you will need and then try and at least double the amount just to be on the safe side.
A large number of camping related injuries are due directly to carelessness with fire, so be sure to use fire with caution. First, in the area camping make sure that fires are allowed. Set a ring of stones around the fire to keep it contained. Never leave children unattended near an open fire. Whenever you are near any type of plants, always wear clothing that will cover you from head to toe. This will help prevent you from breaking out during your camping stay. Although this may only be a mild breakout, you could be allergic to certain plants, which could put you at serious risk. Wearing clothing will prevent this from occurring.
Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. With the right weather information, you can be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment. If camping with children, place each set of their clothing in a zippered plastic bag or a tied plastic grocery bag. By sorting and packing their clothes in this manner, each morning your child can grab a package and have an entire outfit of clothing for the day. When it is time to go to bed at night, each child can stuff the soiled clothing back into the plastic bag and place it back into their suitcase and not soil unworn clothing.
Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Tents are usually more durable than they used to be, but they can still get torn. The right strip of duct tape can mean sleeping dry at night after your tent has suffered damage during a day that was more exciting that you wanted. Talk to everyone in your next camping party about the health of their backs. Some might not be able to sleep on hard ground or need more than a standard mat or cushion. Also, portable or foldable stools might be needed around the campfire, as constant standing or sitting on the ground is not good for their spine.
When packing for your camping trip, do not forget chairs and a radio. One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire. You could sit on an old log, but why bother when you can pack chairs and be comfortable. The radio is for entertainment sitting around the fire. An even better idea is to bring your guitar for a sing along. Think folding chairs when packing for your camping trip. You will want folding chairs to sit in around the campfire. The best types of folding chairs are those that have a case with a strap. This type of chair makes it easy to tote when hiking or visiting other campers.
If you are camping and the weather is starting to increase significantly, tale the coolers that you have with you and put them somewhere in the shade. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. This will keep the temperature inside the cooler from rising too much. You need to carry water that is clean if you will not have access to a safe spring or to clean tap water when you’re camping. You can either carry your own water in bottles or bring some iodine with you to sanitize nearby water. You can also use a water filter or boil water for around 10 minutes.
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 a camping store. Having an item that provides illumination is very useful for a camping trip. Bring a flashlight is crucial. Since the batteries can run out at any time, you should pack some extra ones in an airtight container. You may also want to carry a small LED torch and a flare gun to be prepared for any dark situations.
When you are leaving away on camping make sure that you are taking the accessories like match sticks, cooking essentials, torch and hand cleaners. Few days ahead of the camp gather any other item that you might need as it will be difficult to procure them near camp site. Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check you body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
If you don’t like to drink water, you will be in real trouble on a long camping trip. Water is essential to staying hydrated, so if you really hate the taste, purchase some one-use lemonade and add it to bottles of water. This will keep you hydrated throughout your adventure.
As you now know from the article above, camping is not simply driving out into the wilderness without proper planning. Rather, there are many important things to consider when venturing out to the great outdoors. Keep the tips you’ve just read on hand and implement them the next time you decide to go camping.