Camping Tips That Can Make A Real Difference

How cold is too cold for camping?

If you are getting tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, camping can be a truly fun and unique experience. However, it is important to keep in mind, that there is a certain amount of danger involved and the need for acclimatization for the outdoors. This article will arm you with the advice you need for a great camping trip!

Although it is not an essential part of your back country camping gear, a machete is something that you may consider packing depending on where you are going. It is a very versatile tool in the wilderness. You can cut a trail, hack bamboo and vines for shelter, cut coconuts for water, chop firewood, and even use it as protection against wild animals.

Reserve your spot at a campground as soon as possible. Particularly in the summer, many people are interested in camping with their families. If you make your reservation in the winter, you are much more likely to get the best rate possible. Those savings can translate into additional family fun while on your vacation.

Your camp should be set up before the sun goes down. If you are in an RV, park it safely. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. It will also allow prevent the frustration of not being able to see while setting up your equipment.

Pack and carry a survival kit on your person for the entire trip. You need to pack a flare gun, utility knife, matches and a first aid kit. Never assume there won't be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Your kit should not be left behind at the camp site, but should be carried with you wherever you go.

Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.

When camping, periodically do a tick check. Look for any brown or black spots that have just appeared on your skin. Ticks attach themselves to the skin without causing too much of a disturbance, so be sure to check yourself and your companions for ticks after spending time camping outdoors.

Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. They also take moisture from the air and that makes them grow mildew fast. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.

Prepare some of the food ahead of time so you will not have to mess around with it at the camp site. Make up some sandwiches, precook the pasta and take along foods that can be eaten as is to make each meal less tedious. Other meals can be enjoyable to prepare in the woods, but some should be ready to go on the days the weather is not perfect.

Old dryer lint makes a great fire-starter. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer's filter into the bag every time it is full. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.

Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.

Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.

One great suggestion for any camping trip is to pack a second utility knife. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.

Make sure you secure all sources of food at night when you go to sleep. There are many animals that can frequent campgrounds at night and scavenge your food, especially when left open and unattended for hours. You don't want to wake up to your food scattered everywhere, and you left with a shortage.

Take along plenty of drinking water. You need to stay hydrated, and you will need the water to prepare your food. Depending on the nature of your camping trip, this water may also be needed for clean-up and washing of the hands. It is better to bring along more than you need than not enough.

If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!

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.

Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. One thing to consider is whether or not there are insect nests in the space in which you want to set up. Granted, even if you are cautious, you should still protect yourself from insects using long garments to keep them off of your skin. Insect repellent is a life saver.

Many people associate camping with misery; bug bites, sunburns and poor food. While this can be a cpai-84 fire retardant reality, it can also be avoided by preparing about one week ahead of time. Try to think of all the possible situations that could go wrong, and find a product to help you avoid that situation.

As you have now read, there are several important considerations to plan for when heading for the great outdoors. Apply all that you have learned here so that your friends and family can have a blast with you in the woods.