Is a canvas tent worth it?
Whether you choose to go camping by yourself or take the whole family, few destinations make for such amazing fun and adventure! Learn how to make the most of your time with nature in the great outdoors, by reading the following tips that will guide you to the best camping trip ever.
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.
Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.
When you go camping, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. Walking in wooded areas, you can come across almost anything; not to mention things can fall on your feet. You may also want to take a hike. So the next time you go out camping, make sure to wear shoes that can go everywhere you want to go.
Before you leave on your trip, use your backyard to help you work out the kinks in your camping equipment. Put up your tent to make sure you know (or remember!) how to put it up. This will also allow you to see if anything needs to be patched up. It will make it that much easier for you when you get to the campsite.
Pour out any water that has accumulated in your freezer each day. You want to do this to prevent the ice inside from melting into the water. It is also a good idea because any contaminants that have entered the water from foods you have in, can be poured off.
Even if you're not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you're going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you'll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.
When preparing for a camping trip, people often fail to bring enough clothes. Remember that there will be no washing facilities, and you also need to think about how the weather can call for certain specific attire as well at times. You always want to be prepared, so pack accordingly.
When you are camping, you should never eat anything unless you are absolutely certain of what it is. There is nothing worse than a strong case of stomach problems when you are far away from both medical attention and a toilet. It is recommended to only eat food that you bring.
Unless you are a wildlife expert, you should never drink water that you haven't brought to the campsite with you. Water may look crystal clear but actually be home to a host of diseases or bacteria. If you are in an emergency, always choose running water over stagnant water.
You can easily start campfires using dryer lint as a starter material. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. As such, you'll have kindling ready whenever you are.
Part of the fun of camping is cooking over an open fire or on a camp stove. To make sure you don't forget to pack any key ingredients, make a list of the meals you plan on preparing. Don't forget to take a small cutting board along with you so you have a clean surface for overland events 2023 food preparation. Also remember to pack a couple of potholder or oven mitts to handle hot utensils, such as marshmallow forks.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don't want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Select your campsite carefully. Try to steer clear of wasp nests or other pest havens. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.
Don't forget waterproof matches in a camping survival kit. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. You also can create waterproof matches yourself by taking regular ones and dipping them in nail polish or paraffin. A great container for storage is a film canister. A plastic medicine bottle also works.
Plan what you will do from the time you arrive until you leave to make your trip fun. There is much more to camping than fires and smores. Try to think of things to do that each member will enjoy. Make sure to plan some fun for even the youngest members of your group.
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.
Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.
If you have other people sleeping nearby your campsite, do not bother them by leave your awning lights on during the entire night. Instead, use a timer that you can set to turn the lights off after a certain time period. By doing this, you won't bother others with your lights.
Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
As you now know from the article above, camping is not simply driving out into the wilderness without proper planing. Rather, there are many important things to consider when venturing out to the great outdoors. Keep the tips you've just read on hand and implement them the next time you decide to go camping.