Is a tent necessary for camping?
Camping is a wholesome activity that can be shared with friends and family. Yet, you may not want to try it because you think it's difficult. It isn't that hard if you get the right advice first. If you want to know what it takes to have a successful camping trip, you should read the article that you can find below.
Although it is not an essential part of your back country camping gear, a machete is something that you may consider packing depending on where you are going. It is a very versatile tool in the wilderness. You can cut a trail, hack bamboo and vines for shelter, cut coconuts for water, chop firewood, and even use it as protection against wild animals.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
When you are planning a camping adventure, make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for your trip. Check the weather forecast and bring the clothing that will be needed on your trip. If it is going to be cold, make sure you have the appropriate coats, gloves, and shoes. Remember to also pack a rain poncho no matter what the weather forecast predicts.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
Before you leave on your trip, use your backyard to help you work out the kinks in your camping equipment. Put up your tent to make sure you know (or remember!) how to put it up. This will also allow you to see if anything needs to be patched up. It will make it that much easier for you when you get to the campsite.
Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
Bring oranges with you since they are great for snacking and repelling insects. Rubbing orange peels on your body will function as a perfect insect repellent.
One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. It is versatile at camp, just like at home. It can be used as a quick patch in the case of a punctured air mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied to your feet can keep blisters from forming. You can also use it to bandage injuries.
Camping is fun, and camping with kids can be even more fun, but certain precautions need to be made for these little campers. Take plenty of extra clothes for them, because they will get dirty and wet. It's important they don't stay in wet clothes, because it's possible, it could result in hypothermia. This goes for adults, too.
When camping out, you're going to have bugs. Some of them are fine, and some of them; you don't want them around you. To limit the amount of bugs you must deal with, keep your campsite clean. Bees and ants are attracted to sugary soda cans and messes, so dispose of your trash immediately.
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. Be sure the bags you bring hug your body so your body heat is contained.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don't want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
If you will be camping in a warm area, you may think it is not necessary to bring a nice sleeping bag. That is a huge mistake as many areas cool off considerably at night. Secondly, a sleeping bag helps to mitigate uneven or rocky ground, allowing for more comfortable sleep.
Food safety should be maintained while you are on your trip. Pack foods in airtight bags and containers that are waterproof. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Keep cooked food separate from raw food to prevent contamination. Wash your hands and any surfaces when canvas tent stove preparing food. Ensure that you heat food thoroughly and keep perishable items chilled at all times.
Leave your camping spot as clean as, or cleaner than you found it. It is important to show respect to the land and to others by cleaning up your camping area. If it was a mess when you got there, you can do a good deed and make it cleaner.
If cooking is not your strong suit, and you want to keep things simple camping, find a local military surplus store and look for MRE's. Meals Ready to Eat are freeze dried foods that usually just require water for preparation. If you wanting an easy meal and not looking for great taste, these can even be consumed without cooking.
Camping is wonderful when you know two things: how to relax and how to camp! Camping can help you rediscover yourself and learn more about you. Camping will surely be more fun and desirable if you have a few pointers on how to make it so.