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When done well, camping is among life's true pleasures. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure alone or with friends and family, it is important to familiarize yourself with tried and true camping tips and advice. The article that follows offers just the start any burgeoning outdoors enthusiast might need to plan their next outing.
When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.
Let your family members all have a decision when it comes to choosing a campsite. Engage in conversation about what state and location they would like to visit. There are so many options around the U.S. that it can actually be difficult to pick one! To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Learn to set up your tent prior to leaving on your trip. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. That can also cut down on the frustration some feel when setting a tent up for the first time.
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.
Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. Figure out where you can park if you are driving an RV. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. Making sure this is all done before dark gives you time to become familiar with the area. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.
Bring along a bandana or handkerchief. Such an item can be used as a carrying bag, a potholder, a hand towel, a blotter or a paper towel. You will find that you can use these in a lot of versatile ways, so bring one along when you're camping.
Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. This emergency kit changes depending on the place you go camping, but you have to be certain it has the basic tools. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
Just because your tent is labeled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
Bring all necessary camping gear with you prior to going on your trip. You definitely don't want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. Check and double check your packing list and make certain that every item has been included.
Take along a sleeping bag that matches the climate where you're going. So bring a lighter sleeping tent platform kit bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep.
Take something to entertain yourself when you have some downtime. Bring some board games for the whole family, or bring a book in case you wake up before everyone else. This is a good idea so that you know you are entertained throughout your entire trip and there isn't a dull moment.
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!
Make sure that you know how to get a campfire burning before you head out into the woods. If you have difficulties getting a fire started, look for fire starting supplies to take with you. These supplies make it easy for just about anyone to start a fire on the spot.
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.
Make it a habit to leave no sign of you having camped at a location. As a camper, you're aware of how beautiful nature really is. It's your job to help keep it that way. Take any trash with you to dispose of properly. Before you go, circle your camping ground a second time to look for any litter you may have missed.
Look into the temperature rating of the sleeping bag you are considering. If you are not going to be camping in cold climates, you do not need one that is rated for the cold temperatures. Finding the sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough without cooking you will make a huge difference in your camping experience.
Be sure that you include matches, that will not be ruined when wet, in you survival kit. Keep them stored in an air and water tight container. You don't even have to spend a lot of money. Regular matches can be made waterproof when you dip matches in nail polish or paraffin. You can make a carrying case for matches by putting them in a film canister or a small plastic medicine bottle.
If you're new to camping, and even if you're not, a dutch oven is one of the best experiences you can have. There are so many delicious things you can make in a dutch oven, and some of the desserts are simply the best. If you've never tried a dutch oven before, now is the time.
It should be a breeze to plan your next camping experience now that you know what to bring. No longer do you have to be burdened with the decision of what items to bring on your camping trip. Just remember the contents of this article and you can start packing for your next camping trip.