How You Can Enjoy The Great Outdoors With Your Family And Friends
Taking the time to really research camping can ensure you have a successful trip outdoors! There is a bit more to this form of recreation than taking a tent and starting a fire. This article will give you a good deal of information that you can take with you on your next trip.
If you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.
A big concern with many people who go camping is the bugs. Do not get stuck in the middle of nowhere without having some sort of bug repellant. Check your surroundings before setting up camp for any wasp nests or ant hills that could cause you problems. Wear long pants and long-sleeved whenever possible and inspect yourself for ticks occasionally.
Know what is available in the area around your campsite. You may get lucky and have beautiful weather the entire time. However, you may also face inclement weather, too. Have a backup plan in case you need a diversion. This is particularly crucial if you have kids, but adults need a little entertainment as well!
Make a list of things you need to take with you before you go camping. You may think you are great at packing, but little else is worse than being out in the middle of the woods and realizing you forgot your allergy medication. Sit down and create a comprehensive list of everything you might need during the week before your camping trip.
Collect more wood than you think you are going ot need. Unless you go camping every day, you probably don't have an accurate idea of what "enough wood" actually looks like. You can always leave the extra wood in a pile as a gift for anyone that uses the campsite after you.
Purchase a multi-use tool to store with your camping gear. This tool should include an axe, hammer and saw. The multi-use tool will come in handy when you are searching for firewood, clearing a trail and setting up your tent. When purchasing a multi-use tool, get one of the good quality one for years of enjoyment.
If you're bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it's wearing its tags. Losing track of a pet can be heartbreaking. Make sure your dog is wearing its dog license and an ID with contact information before you leave on your trip. Neglecting to do so can have tragic consequences.
Always prepare an emergency kit when camping, whether you are going by yourself or with others. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. Take things for specific creatures as well, like antivenom.
Duct tape can be a camper's very best friend. When disaster strikes on a camping trip, a roll of heavy-duty duct tape will usually save the day. If the tent fabric needs patching in the rain, duct tape will hold back the water. When tent poles need reinforcing, the duct tape will provide support. Do you have holes in your tennis shoes? Duct tape right over it. Whatever the mishap, a roll of duct tape is sure to help!
On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you're out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you'll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.
When you have a campfire, be certain that someone is monitoring it at all times. Summer's weather and dry campsites can be potentially hazardous conditions for fires in unwanted areas. Take turns watching the flames, and be sure to keep a bucket of water and dirt handy to put out any fires.
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.
Seal all of your tent's seams when erecting your tent. If your tent doesn't have it, you may purchase a tube at a sporting goods store. This will prevent rain or little critters from getting inside.
If you are camping with young children, make sure you plan activities for them and bring them toys to play with. You may be fine with a book on the picnic blanket, but children need more to keep them occupied. Don't forget to keep travel games in mind, also.
When you are purchasing your camping supplies, spend a little extra on the better supplies. tents you can live in year round If you buy the better quality products, you will only have to buy these things once. After you have them bought, camping can be a very affordable way to get away from home for a weekend.
Smart campers will leave their car or base camp with a charged mobile phone. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
Do not forget to buy a good hat for your camping trip. This is essential because it will keep the sun off of your head and face when it is warm. Hats are good when you are camping in the cold as well, since they keep all of the heat from escaping your body from the top of your head.
So there you have it. A camping trip can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Once you have purchased or borrowed the minimum camping basics, the country is your oyster and you are only limited by the amount of time you have and how far you can travel. Enjoy!