Where can I pitch a tent?
One of the best ways to have fun outdoors and enjoy all the nature has to offer is by going camping. However, it is not enough to just head out into the woods without knowing what you are doing. By remembering the following advice, your next camping trip can be one to remember.
Look up activities to engage in prior to getting to your destination. This will allow you to check for any deals that may be offered. Also, it will help you be more prepared when you actually get to your destination. You can find trails that may be appropriate for everyone in your family or restaurants that you would enjoy.
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.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Openly talk about the various options available to you. With all of the options available, it is wise to let people decide for themselves. To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.
Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Discuss what state you want to visit. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. To make it easy, pick a few that you really like and then have a family vote.
Make a list of things you need to take with you before you go camping. You may think you are great at packing, but little else is worse than being out in the middle of the woods and realizing you forgot your allergy medication. Sit down and create a comprehensive list of everything you might need during the week before your camping trip.
If you are interested in camping, and you are new to the activity, then you should never start out alone. It can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, so it is important to bring along an experienced friend to help you learn the ropes.
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.
Put together a survival pack and have it on you all the time. Your survival kit needs to have water-purifying tablets, a type of survival knife, a first-aid kit, a flare gun, and waterproof matches. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you're away from your campsite.
In this modern age, there is no excuse for being in the woods without some form of communication ability. Of course, no one likes to receive phone calls when they are relaxing, so leave your phone off but fully charged, just in case there is an emergency, and you need to contact someone.
Choose your campsite carefully. The location in which you're camping can make all the difference. Do plenty of research barebones flashlight before you make any plans. What is the weather like? Does the campsite have specific rules? How crowded will the campsite be? Poor planning can make for a miserable camping experience.
Get everything you need ready for your meals before you get to your campsite. If you are only camping for a few days, this initial trip to the store should be all that you need to do. Stock up on nonperishable items, too. You don't want you or your family members to be hungry on your trip.
Never force anyone to go camping with you, including family or girlfriends. Some people just don't enjoy being in nature, and they will be miserable and in turn, make you miserable as well. If your children are simply not interested, find a babysitter for the weekend and relax alone!
A tasty orange provides a peel that can help repel nasty mosquitoes. Don't worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. The mosquitoes should steer clear of you for several hours.
You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. Forgetting just one or two things could ruin your trip. It is best to create a list a few weeks before your trip and to use it while packing. 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.
Duct tape can be a camper's very best friend. When disaster strikes on a camping trip, a roll of heavy-duty duct tape will usually save the day. If the tent fabric needs patching in the rain, duct tape will hold back the water. When tent poles need reinforcing, the duct tape will provide support. Do you have holes in your tennis shoes? Duct tape right over it. Whatever the mishap, a roll of duct tape is sure to help!
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.
Learn how to mark the trails that you are exploring. It can be quite easy to get lost in the woods. Marking the trails that you are walking will make it easy to find your way back to camp. It can also help others find you if you get lost.
Whenever you set up your tent, make sure you first check for wasp nests. The last thing you want to do is have your tent set up and be attacked by wasps. If you are stuck out in the wilderness, then being attacked by numerous wasps can even be life-threatening. So, be smart and thoroughly inspect the area for any wasp nests.
As you can see, there are plenty of things you need to remember for your next camping trip. Many things will play a factor in your safety and the overall enjoyment of the experience. Use what you have read from this article, and you will have a better camping experience next time you go outdoors!