If you love to spend time outdoors, taking in everything that nature has to offer, then give camping a try. The following article has guidelines for what you should be doing and planning for before and during your big trip. If you are prepared, camping is great fun and worth the effort you put into it.
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. Bring some wood and store it in an area that is not moist when you camp.
If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.
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.
Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel–bring it.
Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. If you are in an RV, a safe parking spot should be found. If you have a tent, carefully select the plot of land you are going to use. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. You can save time by knowing what you are doing.
Purchase pillows that are made specifically for camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
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.
Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.
Kids love camping, especially when you plan activities that they can do. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Teach them these things ahead of time to ensure a great trip.
As you have read from the above article, camping is a great way to spend relaxing time outdoors. By following the tips outlined, you will be ready for most of what nature has to throw at you. Even that sudden downpour won’t dampen your spirits or ruin the special time you had planned so hard for.