No matter where you decide to go camping, being prepared makes the whole trip more enjoyable. Go through some of the details outlined below to make sure you don't overlook anything so you can concentrate on having fun. The information you find will no doubt be useful on your trip.
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.
While you may think that nature will offer up enough wood to keep your fire embers burning, it could quite possibly be wet wood that doesn't really want to burn. Bring some wood and store it in an area that is not moist when you camp.
With camping, comes the campfire. Make sure your campfire is in an open space and far enough away from brush or trees so you don't run the risk of a stray spark catching them on fire. Surround the fire with stones to help keep it contained. Most importantly, never leave any campfire unattended. If you need to leave for any reason, make sure the campfire is extinguished completely.
If you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
Make sure that you find out what sort of weather is forecast for the place that you are going to be camping at. The Internet is a great resource for finding weather related information for the area you will be camping in. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
When traveling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you're near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!
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.
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!
Collect more wood than you think you are going ot need. Unless you go camping every day, you probably don't have an accurate idea of what "enough wood" actually looks like. You can always leave the extra wood in a pile as a gift for anyone that uses the campsite after you.
Make sure you have cover in case of rain. When you're out in the woods, a rainstorm can be wet, cold and uncomfortable. Make sure you have some kind of protection against the rain, whether it be a tent, cabin or lean-to. In a pinch, you can use a garbage bag as a poncho!
A good way to pack eggs on a camping trip is to crack them open and pour them into a recyclable water bottle or other container. Shake a few times for scrambled eggs and omelets,or pour them one at a time into a frying pan for sunny- side- up!
Cross contamination is not an issue that only affects people that cook at home. When you are cooking outdoors, you still have to worry about not using the same cutting board to cut meat that you do to cut any other foods. If you only have one board, use both sides.
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 teepee covers 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 underestimate the power of Duct tape It is an essential tool when you camp, so make sure it is in your box of "essentials." Duct tape can be used to repair tent poles, patch shoes, fix holes in mosquito netting, as well as many other things. Duct tape is a life saver.
Trail mix is a classic snack and for a good reason. Throw a little beef jerky, a few fruits, and you've got yourself a full camper's meal. It's likely that you'll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. They are also convenient because they keep well and don't need to be refrigerated.
When it comes to tents, you should understand that bigger is not always better. Keep in mind that you are going to have to drag your tent to the campsite. To make sure that your tent is not too large for you to haul and set up, test it out at your home first.
When erecting your tent, ensure that you are able to seal all seams. You can get a tube of sealant at a sporting goods store if you didn't get any with your tent. Sealant keeps both insects and rain out of your tent.
Use an old shower curtain as a camping tarp. The next time you switch out your shower curtain, save the old one and you can use it when you go camping. Tarps, or old shower curtains can be used for many things. You can put it under your tent or use it to keep you dry should it rain.
It is easy to see that many things should be considered when preparing to go camping. However, this article gave you enough info that you should be able to handle simple camping events with ease. It is time to go out, relax and have a great time!
