Can you touch the sides of a tent?
It was not that long ago that camping was the vacation of choice among families. Packing up the tent, the cooking utensils and the car full of food and heading off to a natural spot to enjoy lots of fresh air, non-electronic games and sometimes a spot of fishing. If this is not a treat you have yet enjoyed, read on for some great ideas for your next camping trip.
Reserve your spot at a campground as soon as possible. Particularly in the summer, many people are interested in camping with their families. If you make your reservation in the winter, you are much more likely to get the best rate possible. Those savings can translate into additional family fun while on your vacation.
Bring a plastic garbage bag and put all of you family's dirty laundry in it. This keeps the items from mixing in with your clean clothing. It also makes things convenient for you when you return home. You can simply dump out the bag in your washing machine and begin working on it all immediately.
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.
When packing for your camping trip, make sure to pack either a pair of flip flops or water shoes. These will come in handy in and around the campground. For instance, if you are staying in a campground that has bathroom facilities and you plan on taking a shower, you need to wear shoes in the shower to protect your feet from foot fungus.
Keep the needs of your family in mind before selecting a destination. For example, if you have a baby or toddler, it may be best to stick close to home in case things don't go as planned. If you have teenagers, however, you may enjoy traveling to a different state. Choose what is best for you!
When traveling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you're near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. Your survival kit needs to have water-purifying tablets, a type of survival knife, a first-aid kit, a flare gun, and waterproof matches. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Never leave the kit behind, even for a short excursion.
When it is time for you to go to sleep, it is a good idea to put the coolers that you brought along into your vehicle. Bears have become quite savvy these days and have figured out that these coolers usually carry food items and this will attract them to your campsite.
You need to carry water that is clean if you will not have access to a safe spring or to clean tap water when you're camping. You can either carry your own water in bottles or bring some iodine with you to sanitize nearby water. You can also use a water filter or boil yurt tent rental water for around 10 minutes.
Watch out for irritants like poison ivy. It usually has recognizable triple-leaf clusters. However, poison sumac and poison oak tend to have more leaves and also need to be avoided. Keeping your skin completely covered when near these irritants can help prevent rashes. You should also carry some calamine lotion and allergy medication or antihistamines as a precaution.
It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. It's likely that you'll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. They are also convenient because they keep well and don't need to be refrigerated.
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
Make sure that you know how to get a campfire burning before you head out into the woods. If you have difficulties getting a fire started, look for fire starting supplies to take with you. These supplies make it easy for just about anyone to start a fire on the spot.
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 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.
Plan ahead for keeping everyone entertained throughout your trip. Camping trips shouldn't only be about roasting marshmallows and building a campfire. Plan activities that create fun for everyone at the campsite. Take older and younger kids into consideration when thinking of something to do.
Use proper food safety techniques when you go camping. Pack your foods in bags or containers that are airtight and waterproof. Store food that requires refrigeration in an insulated cooler. Make sure that raw or cooked meat is not stored in the same containers as other foods. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before you prepare your food. Ensure that you heat food thoroughly and keep perishable items chilled at all times.
One essential supply to take camping is a solid first aid kit. Make sure to stock it well for accidents and injuries. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Being safe is very important when you're in the wild and accidents will happen, so be prepared.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. While this might be convenient, you'll soon find out differently. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. Because of that, they aren't really as convenient as one might think.
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.