Camping Tips For Anyone To Use

Are campgrounds a good investment?

Camping in the great outdoors can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to get away from the stress of every day life. To make sure that your trip is as relaxing as possible, there are some basic tips that get help you get the most of your time away. The article below has lots of great ideas.

One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don't have to bunk with the adults.

Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don't have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing's together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.

You may feel that when you get to your campsite you will have enough wood to make a fire. This is not always the case because green and wet wood will not burn easily. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.

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.

When you are heading out for that long awaited camping trip, don't forget to take along your cell phone. You may be tempted to leave all the texting and calls behind, but your cell phone can be one of your most important safety lifelines in the event of an emergency. Make sure it is fully charged and keep it protected from the elements in a plastic bag or waterproof case.

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.

Keep the environment in mind when you are at your campsite. Enjoying nature is one of the main benefits of camping, so it is important to respect the Earth. Throw away all your trash, and don't get too rowdy. You can even bring along a solar-powered device if you have one to use.

When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.

A Frisbee makes for excellent support under paper plates, and can avoid the usual camping spillage and drops! Grab as many of them as you have around your home or yard, or pick up a few at your local dollar-type store. They conveniently stack for easy, space-saving packing and are tremendously helpful with little one's meals.

For your first camping trips, try to choose a place that you can drive to. If your car is nearby you can use it as a "fortress" of sorts when you are in the middle of nowhere. Not only can you enter it in case of wildlife attack; it can also protect you from the elements.

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.

Never hike alone. It may sound juvenile, but always use the buddy system. It can be easy to get lost or turned around in nature. You could slip and hurt yourself. In instances like these, it is best to have someone along. Even if you have your cellphone handy, you may find it doesn't get reception in the woods.

Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!

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.

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 bell tent rug 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.

Stick with food safety when you camp. Pack your foods in bags or containers that are airtight and waterproof. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping cooked and raw foods far apart. Always wash any food surfaces, as well as your hands. Use antibacterial soap to wash and follow with sanitizer. Ensure that you heat food thoroughly and keep perishable items chilled at all times.

A polite thing you can do for the campers who follow you is leaving wood for them. Think about how difficult it can be to find some wood if there is none on the campsite, especially when it is dark. So, be courteous to others and leave as much wood as you can.

Learning and living with nature is one of the best ways to spend your hard earned vacation time. Pack and prepare with everything you need to make your camping adventure a success, and be sure to keep all the tips from this article in mind to make it go more smoothly.