Who coined the term glamping?
Camping is a great way for everyone to get away from the stresses they experience in life. Unfortunately, if your preparations are not complete, you can have obstacles during the trip. Prepare in advance to avoid this and keep your "must have" list handy when preparing for your trip.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
If you are traveling with children, give them the opportunity to assist you when you get to the campground. They can carry gear, support you as you set up the tent and look for firewood. Not only will it keep them busy and out of trouble, it will be fun for them as well.
When you decide to go camping you want to make sure that you bring a flashlight with some batteries. You want to be able to see in the middle of the night just in case you have to get up and go to the bathroom, or just to move around.
Purchase a quality tent. It can be tempting to score a good deal on a tent, but you want to find something that can hold both you, your family members and your belongings. Try visiting a store that specializes in outdoor gear. They tend to have well-made products that will last for a while.
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.
When you reach your campsite, the first thing, you should do is to start collecting wood for your fire. You won't feel like it later on, and if you wait until dark you will have a harder time finding the kind of wood you need to keep a fire going. Do it right away.
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 going camping with kids, explain to them some common camping problems you might run into. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.
If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. There are people who do not like dogs, so you will want to keep them in control. You must consider them when you are camping, too. Additionally, dogs are capable of damaging the camping area if you don't keep a good eye on them.
Be sure to choose the right site for your camping experience. The camping site can make or break your trip. Try to choose a site that is not too far away from help should you need it. Choose a site that is flat and somewhat apart from trees. You want a location that is far from critters and close to aid.
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.
Many people who are not very experienced with camping start out by doing day trips. This can be a great way to adjust to nature without the dangers associated with staying in the woods all night. The best way to do is to find a simple hotel near the campground, but only for sleeping purposes.
Never let your kids roam out of your sight. There are many people coming and going all of the time and you do not want them to get kidnapped or lost. Therefore, children should always have close supervision.
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.
If you are going camping with a tent you have never used before, put it up in your backyard before you leave. When you get to your campsite, it might be dark and raining, and you might have to go on feel and memory pitching the thing. So, it helps to have done it at least once before.
Safety comes first when camping. This means you should give wide berth to large woodland critters, and even some small ones. Even small animals in the wild can be dangerous. One thing you should never do is feed a bear if you see one, even though you probably would be too scared to approach one!
You must always pack a survival kit and first aid kit. These items can literally save your life, or to a lesser extent, prevent you from returning from your trip before you are ready to do so. You may be able to keep an emergency from going from bad to worse.
Make sure the sleeping bag you choose is the correct one. For example, if you are going camping during the summer months, you will probably want a lightweight sleeping bag, so that your body camping toilet options does not overheat during the night. This is a good piece of knowledge to follow because you don't want to feel uncomfortable sleeping.
Camping is a great activity for anyone, but it will be so much more enjoyable if you plan for it properly and anticipate the many things that can go awry. Keep the helpful tips of this article in mind as you get ready for your camping outing and have a ball!