What should I look for when buying a tent?
One of the most popular recreational activities in the world is camping. There is nothing quite like heading out into the great outdoors to really feel connected to nature. If you are thinking about going camping, use the following advice to make your next camping trip more fun and enjoyable.
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.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
When planning for your camping trip, don't forget to pack the sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn't mean that you don't need protection from the sun's burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.
Bring a survival kit on the trip and keep it on your person all the time. Survival kits should contain waterproof matches, a survival knife, a first aid kit, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. If you are injured or lose your way, this will give you a greater chance of survival. Keep your kit with you at all times; don't leave it at the campsite.
If you have a young child with you, do the math in advance with respect to how much baby food or formula they will need. Make sure you have supplies for them that will last the entire length of your trip. There are no guarantees that a store near your campsite will have these items or will have the type of items that you want.
Practice makes perfect when pitching a tent. Take the time to put the tent up before leaving for your trip. This allows you to build your proficiency at erecting the tent, and will also help locate any issues with the tent in case you need to exchange it for a better option.
Plan to save the light of your flashlight before you go camping. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. This way, you'll still have fresh batteries for your trip.
Try to camp near water, where you can also enjoy swimming. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.
Kids really enjoy camping if they are kept busy with fun activities. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. Children living in a bell tent may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. Consider introducing your kids to these things in advance of your trip so they know how to do them and view them as fun.
If you haven't camped before, then now is not the time to start being a hermit. Ask an experienced friend to go with you and show you the ropes. As you become more advanced in the hobby you can start to take small and then larger trips alone and get your hermitude on.
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!
Prepare for camping by packing smart. Make a list of what you'll need and check it off as you get things packed. If you are going deep into the bush or backcountry where emergency supplies and services are inaccessible, then you really need to make sure you have first aid material and related equipment.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
A great tip for those of you planning a camping trip would be to bring along flashlights that are LED and run on lithium batteries. These types of flashlights last much longer than traditional flashlight and the last thing you want when out in the wilderness is a broken flashlight.
As you leave for home, clean up your space. You need to bring along bags for trash so you can clean up. Be certain to take your leftover food with you too. The only thing that should be left behind are your footprints.
It is a great idea to put your tent together at home before you go out camping. Some tents can seem very complicated, and you do not want to get stuck in the dark without your tent being assembled. If you practice when you are at home, you will already have the experience of setting it up, and it will go smoothly.
Keep safety in mind on your camping trip. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit along with the traditional bandaging supplies and antibiotic ointment. But throw into the mix some antihistamine for bug bites and bee stings, pain reliever, hand sanitizer and any other items that could come in handy in the outdoors.
Pack ready to eat foods in your camping gear, like trail mix and jerky. These little nutritious snacks can come in handy after a long day. Even if you don't eat them, these are non-perishable snacks that have a long shelf life.
Camping offers just about anyone the opportunity to peacefully commune with nature. But, in order to have the type of experience you truly desire, it is necessary to possess a certain degree of understanding and know-how. With any luck, the guidance contained above has provided the foundation every camper needs to have a wonderful outdoor experience.