Some people are drawn to the outdoors, and it's easy to see why. With that said, there is a lot that you can do to prepare yourself properly so that you have the best experience possible. If you spend some time reading the advice here, you can make your next camping trip a really enjoyable one.
A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.
Camping can be very dangerous or fun depending on whether you're prepared or not. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. Do your research and understand the local conditions and wildlife, as well as climate concerns. This is the best way to keep yourself safe and enjoy your trip.
If you are planning any kind of backcountry camping, a must carry item is a fire starter kit. If you are in a survival situation, fire is a way to cook, keep you warm, purify water, and signal for help. Many camping stores sell fire starters that can be used when wet and do not require any fuel. Also, try making fire when you are not in a survival situation so you know you can do it if the need arises.
Chances are, your family and your belongings are going to end up getting dirty. When you know that going in, you won't stress out when it happens. Let loose and allow everyone to get messy while you enjoy the time spent in the woods. Things will go to back to normal soon enough.
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.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.
Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. If you're out in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do, boredom will set in. They probably aren't used to camping activities such as pitching a tent or fishing. Get them used to it prior to leaving on the trip.
You need to maintain your cleanliness while camping. Good hygiene is difficult when you are camping sometimes, but you can keep yourself clean. A bottle of hand sanitizer is excellent to have so you can clean hands before eating. You can also use rubbing alcohol on areas of your body that are not sensitive. A mild biodegradable soap and a sponge can be used to take mini-baths when water resources are low.
Prepare some of the food ahead of time so you will not have to mess around with it at the camp site. Make up some sandwiches, precook the pasta and take along foods that can be eaten as is to make each meal less tedious. Other meals can be enjoyable to prepare in the woods, but some should be ready to go on the days the weather is not perfect.
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.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations.
Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light-colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check your body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
A polite thing you can do for the campers who follow you is leaving wood for them. Think about how difficult it can be to find some wood if there is none on the campsite, especially when it is dark. So, be courteous to others and leave as much wood as you can.
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.
Remember to choose a sleeping bag that is suitable for the season you are camping in. For instance, if it is summer, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. Though, winter will require a heavy bag that traps body warmth during the night.
You and your family are in for many good times ahead. Once you take the whole family out to go intents tents camping it will make you want to go camping all the time. This is a good thing for you guys, because the outdoors is always a good experience to live through.
