Wondering How To Prepare For A Camping Trip? Start Here!

How do you keep moisture out of a tent?

Camping is a great way to spend time with friends and family. It bonds you with your loved ones like never before. However there are many things to consider when you are planning a camping trip. The following article can help you better prepare yourself the next time you go camping.

Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.

Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don't have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing's together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.

Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.

A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.

When it comes to children, don't hesitate to over-pack. Camping can be a bit messy. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. As they go about enjoying the natural surroundings, you may find that dirt is added to dirt. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. Be ready for anything.

Pour out any water that has accumulated in your freezer each day. You want to do this to prevent the ice inside from melting into the water. It is also a good idea because any contaminants that have entered the water from foods you have in, can be poured off.

If you're new to camping, you're going to want to arrive early to the campground. The reason for this is you will be new to the campground site and rules, and this will slow you down. You don't want to be stuck setting up camp after dark, so just arrive a little earlier than you usually would.

Before you even leave your camping trip, try practicing pitching a tent in your backyard or some other open space. People do not know how difficult pitching a tent can be; you do not want to get to camp and realize you have no idea what you are doing. Practice makes perfect!

During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.

Bring a first aid kit. Camping is fun. It can also be a bit dangerous. Always be prepared. Small scrapes and rashes can be especially common out in nature. Bring along an emergency first aid kit full of anything you might need. You'll be happy you did if something goes wrong.

Don't forget the duct tape. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. It can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. You can even use it to help prevent blisters on your feet. This can also be used for injuries when you do not have a regular doctor around.

Take something to entertain yourself when you have some downtime. Bring some board games for the whole family, or bring a book in case you wake up before everyone else. This is a good idea so that you know you are entertained throughout your entire trip and there isn't a dull moment.

Take oranges with you as a way to snack in a healthy, convenient way--and as a mosquito repellent that is organic. After you've enjoyed the orange, keep all the peels. If the mosquitoes are swarming, rub the peels over your body to keep them at bay.

People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.

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.

Consider the erection spot for your tent carefully. You don't want to overlook something like a snake hole, take a little precaution. If you're in an area that is rich in vegetation, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. You should also have insect repellent.

If camping with children, place each set of their clothing in a zippered plastic bag or a tied plastic grocery bag. By sorting and packing their clothes in this manner, each morning your child can grab a package and have an entire outfit of clothing for the day. When it is time to go to bed glamping events at night, each child can stuff the soiled clothing back into the plastic bag and place it back into their suitcase and not soil unworn clothing.

At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Include trash bags in your supplies to make cleanup easy. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. Leave only your footprints should be your motto as you clean your camp.

Now that you know enough about camping, you should have no problem going on your first camping trip. You can finally stop wondering about camping and actually go outside and experience it. Just use the camping information you've read to guide you every step of the way and you should be fine.