How do I keep my tent cool?
One of the best ways to spend your vacation time is by camping out in the woods with mother nature! Make sure you are properly prepared with the helpful tips in the following article and that you learn all you can about spending time in a forest before you set out!
Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire's glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don't want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
At night, create "bear bags." Tie a rope around the bags with your food and your trash. Then, find a tree and toss bags over a branch, raising until they are at least seven or eight feet off the ground. Tie the rope around the tree so it is secure. This way, bears and other animals will not be able to get into your food and trash during the night.
Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!
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.
Camp needs to be set up before night begins. If you are in an RV, park it safely. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.
No matter if you are going camping alone, or with a huge group, you need to always bring along an emergency kit. There may be different items in it depending on your camping location, but there are some things that should be in any kit. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.
Unless you are a wildlife expert, you should never drink water that you haven't brought to the campsite with you. Water may look crystal clear but actually be home to a host of diseases or bacteria. If you are in an emergency, always choose running water over stagnant water.
Take along plenty of drinking water. You need to stay hydrated, and you will need the water to prepare your food. Depending on the nature of your camping trip, this water may also be needed for clean-up and washing of the hands. It is better to bring along more than you need than not enough.
Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.
Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.
A Frisbee is a great toy to take for entertainment when camping. It is easy to pack and fun. But in addition to its use as a game, it is also a great way to strengthen a paper plate. Just place the plate into the middle of the Frisbee at meal times and the plate will not collapse no matter how big your hamburger.
Always inform friends and family of your camping trip and location. Make sure to establish contact numbers and pertinent information on how to find you should something untoward occur. When you have a safety net like this in place, it will allow you to relax on your trip, knowing help can always find you.
Orange peels are great items to reduce mosquito bites while camping. Thus, if you forget the repellant, but remember the oranges, you're still in luck! Experts have said that you can just rub inner side of an orange peel on any exposed skin. Mosquitoes hate the smell and will fly away for a few good hours; and you will be free of the nuisance.
Always wear your clothing in layers for camping outings. Outdoor weather can change quickly. You might find that the morning is cold, but the afternoon is hot and humid. During the evenings, it can get pretty chilly. Layers allow you to adjust to the changing weather
When siting your tent at your campsite, be sure to place a waterproof tarp on the ground before erecting your tent. In this situation, size really does matter. Use a tarp that is about 2 inches smaller than the glamping events tent floor, or cut a larger one down if need be. It should never extend beyond the edge of your tent floor. A tarp that is too large can collect water that will be channeled right back into your tent.
Take along your lint! While this seems silly, lint costs you nothing and makes a great starter for a campfire. When you use lint rather than wood to start a fire, the flame is brighter. Keep some waterproof matches with you and a pocketful of lint if you need to step away from your campsite, and you're ready for a fire anywhere.
To have a fantastic camping trip, just take the advice you've learned in this article. You will find that this only touches the surface of what makes camping great, so keep your eyes opened for anything you can use in the future to make a camping trip a lot more enjoyable later on.