How long has it been since you went on a camping trip? It's a great way to relax and enjoy nature. There are no distractions from your work or television, so you can just relax. Keep the information here in mind to help make your trip enjoyable.
Those big, colorful plastic storage bins make excellent places to store and organize all of your camping gear. While at home, keep it in a closet or the garage and right before you leave for your camping trip, pop it in the trunk. It should keep everything air-tight, dry and easily accessible.
Plan accordingly when it comes to food. It is a hassle to make room in your car for all the food you need. However, proper nourishment is crucial when you are in the woods. Also, items that are fairly inexpensive in your local store often carry a higher price tag near camping sites. Bringing enough food means that you will save money and keep everyone in your family in a good mood.
If your canteen is beginning to smell musty, you can give it a good cleaning with baking soda. Place a little bit of water in your canteen, and then add three tablespoons of baking soda. Shake gently, let it sit for sixty minutes, and then rinse with water. Your canteen will be refreshingly clean!
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.
Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.
At night, create "bear bags." Tie a rope around the bags with your food and your trash. Then, find a tree and toss bags over a branch, raising until they are at least seven or eight feet off the ground. Tie the rope around the tree so it is secure. This way, bears and other animals will not be able to get into your food and trash during the night.
Take along plenty of drinking water. You need to stay hydrated, and you will need the water to prepare your food. Depending on the nature of your camping trip, this water may also be needed for clean-up and washing of the hands. It is better to bring along more than you need than not enough.
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
Make a list of your required camping gear and double check it while packing. If you forget a few things, it could ruin your entire trip. It's very helpful to write out a list and cross each item off once you have packed it. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
Make sure that you bring all of your camping equipment with you before you head out on your trip. You don't need to forget something important like your sleeping round tent factory bag or tent. Look over the items you plan to bring and create a checklist before leaving to ensure that all of your essential gear comes with you.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose is the correct one. For example, summertime camping calls for a lightweight bag that helps you stay cool. However, if it is winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won't freeze during the night.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. Having enough light can prevent nasty falls or unwanted encounters with wildlife. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.
Be thankful for your opportunity of camping on your campsite by cleaning up more trash than you brought in. This is an excellent method of showing appreciation and being polite to other campers who will be using the site. Pick up all your mess, and pick up a few pieces of other litters that is not yours. If everyone were to follow your example, the great outdoors would be a cleaner place for all.
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.
Even if it is the middle of a hot summer, make sure to pack some sweaters. The night can get very cool any time of the year, even with the fire to warm you. The weather can always surprise you, also. For the latter reason, it is a good idea to bring an umbrella.
Some members of your camping party might not be thrilled about being in the great outdoors. Others might not feel like you have packed all that you need, and everyone needs entertainment. This article has provided you with a number of ideas you can use to make sure that your camping trip is an all-around success.
