Not a lot can beat taking a few nights to sleep outside with people you love. Camping is one of the best activities out there, and for a good reason. It's very important to remember that when you're camping and having fun, you still need to consider the possibilities of things going wrong. Keep reading to properly prepare for your camping adventure.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.
Bring supplies for 'Smores. 'Smores are an integral part of any camping trip. Simply pack graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows, then make it the filling to a graham cracker/chocolate sandwich. When you have a 'Smore, you will want 'some more'--bring enough for everyone to have at least two of them!
When collecting wood for a campfire, focus on three different sizes: the finger-size wood, that will catch fire right away, the arm-size wood that will keep it going, and the leg-size wood that will allow you to keep the fire going for a long time. Getting different sizes of wood helps you to start the fire and keep it going.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Make sure you have a suitable water source. Even if you bring water with you, plan to need more water and know where you will be able to get more. It is a good idea to know where your water source will be before you go camping at all, but surely right after you arrive.
Be prepared for colder weather than expected when choosing a sleeping bag to bring on your camping trip. Always choose a sleeping bag rated for a temperature range just below what you're expecting, even in the summertime. Also, sleeping bags made with synthetic fibers will dry out faster if it rains unexpectedly, but natural fiber sleeping bags will be lighter to carry.
Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.
Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.
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.
Make sure you observe the campground rules and regulations. One of the biggest concerns is trash and also noisiness within a campsite. People often think that people can't hear them, but noise travels far in a campsite. It is extremely difficult to have any privacy, especially when people are supposed to be observing quiet hours.
Surprisingly, orange peels make a great mosquito repellent on outdoor adventures. This is especially helpful if you forget bug spray, but have oranges on hand, or can borrow them from someone at your camping trip. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This can help for many hours.
You want to make sure that you don't end up with drained flashlight batteries when you head out on your camping trip. It is very easy to accidentally press the 'on' button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will remain fresh when you need them.
When you go camping, try to pitch a tent in an area that is directly in a spot where the morning sun will beam. This is a great idea since it can get very cold in the forest. It will make your tent a little warmer so you can sleep a bit more comfortably.
The climate in which you are camping will determine the type of tent that you need. If you are not going to be in cold and windy climates, you will not need a tent that is built for it. Do your research about tents before you buy one to be sure it will keep you warm and dry when you need it to.
Bring along plenty of zip-lock bags on your camping trip, for a great mixing tool with foods as well as great storage. Always make sure the bag is completely sealed, then pop in any foods you need to combine, like chicken and batter or steak with marinade! Zip-lock bags are the best at keeping anything you need water-proofed too.
Save any cardboard boxes and paper bags in the weeks leading up to your camping trip. You can use some of the the boxes to carry supplies, of course, how to make a canvas tent but they are also great for starting fires. Laundry lint from your dryer screen also makes great kindling for a fire.
After reading the tips laid out here, you are prepared to handle nature. If you put the tips you found above to use, you will surely have a good time, no matter what comes your way. You will soon frequently enjoy the joys of camping.
