What is real camping?
Many people are reluctant to try camping for various reasons. For some, it is the fear of the unknown. For others, the thought of sleeping outdoors is a little scary. If you've been hesitant to go camping, fear not. The article below has the tips your need to make your trip a success.
You need to maintain your cleanliness while camping. Good hygiene is difficult when you are camping sometimes, but you can keep yourself clean. A bottle of hand sanitizer is excellent to have so you can clean hands before eating. You can also use rubbing alcohol on areas of your body that are not sensitive. A mild biodegradable soap and a sponge can be used to take mini-baths when water resources are low.
Camping is definitely a fun time, but there might also be uninvited guests at your campsite. Who are these guests? Bugs! This is their environment and they like camping, too. Make sure you have bugged repellent with you to tell them to stay at their own campsite or to go visit other campers who weren't quite as prepared as you were.
Water is critical for your survival when hiking in the backcountry. Carry water purification tablets with you or some sort of water filter that is capable of filtering out bacteria. There are many different kinds available at your local sporting goods store. Whenever you are looking for a water source, make sure the water is flowing; stagnant water can kill you if not treated properly.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire's glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don't want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
Oranges are not only a healthy snack to take on a camping trip, but they are also versatile when used as a mosquito repellent. Save the peels when you're done eating and gently rub them on your face, arms, legs or any other exposed areas, and you keep the pesky bugs away with no harsh chemicals and for a great price!
When you go camping, be sure to have a few activities in mind other than just... "camping". The camping experience is enriched by hiking, swimming, exploring and things like that. Be sure to engage in some of these other activities so that you have the fullest camping experience you've ever had.
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
Review your health insurance policy. Sometimes going into a different state means that you will need to have an additional policy. This is more crucial if you go camping in another country. Be sure you're prepared to be on the safe side!
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
Understand how your food will be cooked. You need to consider how you are going to prepare all meals. Will you need charcoal? Perhaps you need a small propane tank. It can be difficult to cook every meal over an open fire; no matter, how much fun it might seem.
Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. If you forget a key item, it can destroy the vacation. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. The most basic requirements are a tent, water, sleeping bag, an all-purpose knife, food, matches and soap.
When you select the location for your tent, be sure that it is the right place. The ground should be level and do what you can to avoid setting it up at the bottom of a hill. This will help you keep it dry if the weather should turn bad.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
Pick out all of your clothing before you go camping. Clean clothes are important, as you will not want to feel dirty while out in the wilderness. Also, check the weather so that you can dress accordingly. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
When camping, pack carefully and wisely. Compile a checklist of things that you need for your trip, then check the items off on the list as you add them to your bags. This is very helpful if you'll be far from civilization.
Since the tent is one of the most important parts of your camping trip, be sure the one you get is appropriate. Figure out how many people are coming bell tent flooring on the trip so you can get a big enough tent. Also, make sure the tent you get prevents moisture from getting inside.
If you're camping where there are snakes, make your campsite snake-proof. Avoid places with piled up rocks, bushes that are thick, woodpiles or deep brush. Make sure you check your items to make sure a snake didn't sneak into them. Check that your tent is properly sealed, and build up the edges with dirt or sand to prevent snakes from crawling under.
Now that you know what camping entails, you'll be able to come up with a plan so your trip goes more smoothly. Knowing what to expect is only part of the fun though, the main part would be actually getting out there and doing it. Use what you have learned here, and have a stress free trip!