Can you live on a campsite?
Camping can be great fun, but it really isn't something you just want to do on a whim. It will work out much better if you plan a camping trip and plan it well. The following article outlines important things you should consider before heading out for that weekend getting in touch with nature.
If you are using a tent for camping, put a great deal of thought into buying your tent. Consider the climate. Consider your price range. How often will you be using this tent? You don't want to buy a tent that won't be able to stand up to the elements. At the same time, you don't need to pay a fortune for a tent you plan to only use once.
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.
To avoid blistered and chapped feet on your camping trip, bring a bar of soap along! Prior to any lengthy walk, rub the soap into the heals of your socks and this will minimize friction, thus reducing soreness. Keep the soap in your pocket for a quick dose when your feet start feeling beat-up or blistered.
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
Remember to pack a camera. There are some memories you're going to want to capture on your camping trip. Bring along a small camera that can fit in your pocket. Try to pack something durable that could stand getting dropped or becoming a bit wet. Consider using a disposable camera.
Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn't going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.
Make sure you are aware of what hospitals are close to your campsite and how to get to them. While you don't want to think about anything bad happening on your trip, it is a possibility. Certain injuries will necessitate a visit to the doctor, so it is best to know where to go before something happens, and you are in panic mode.
Purchase some special camping pillows. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. They also take moisture from the air and that makes them grow mildew fast. Pillows designed for camping offer a coating that prevents moisture absorption.
If you have special drinks that you like, take them with you camping. It is easy to forget things like green tea, hot cocoa or your special blend of coffee. You can even take wine if it is a romantic camping adventure. Just don't forget to pack a corkscrew.
A Swiss Army Knife is a tool that no camper should be without when camping. A Swiss Army Knife contains many useful tools including a screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, a screwdriver as well as a knife. This ingenious tool will come in handy many times during your camping trip.
Make sure your children have something to do while camping. If you are camping in the deep woods, far from anything familiar, kids can become bored. They may not have any experience with things such as fishing or setting up a tent. If they have not spent much time outdoors, show them the basics before you leave.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
It is a good idea to pitch your tent on a piece of land that is level. This will ensure you sleep better, which stargazer bell tent means you will have more energy for the next day. If you have to sleep on an incline, make sure that your head is tilted uphill.
While camping's purpose is to survive off the fat of the land, it is still important to prepare yourself. Though a sleeping bag is great, extra blankets can also be useful. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.
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.
Duct tape is a great fix-all for camping trips. Tents may get torn, in which case duct tape can provide a seal. Duct tape can help you to sleep in peace at night, and is very inexpensive.
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!
When you're getting a survival kit together for camping, it's recommended to bring waterproof matches. Always store your matches in a container or packaging that is airtight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. A great container for storage is a film canister. A plastic medicine bottle also works.
As was shown in the above article, camping can indeed be great fun, but it does take some advanced planning to make sure it all goes well. Use the advice and tips shown here to make a checklist so your trip is one of relaxation and not one of "�I wish I would have planned this better beforehand'.