Camping can be an extremely rewarding and enriching experience and something in which people of all ages can participate. But, to get the most out of any outdoor adventure, a bit of knowledge and planning can be critical. Continue reading the piece that follows, and you will be ready to venture into the wild in no time.
When packing for your camping trip, do not forget chairs and a radio. One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire. You could sit on an old log, but why bother when you can pack chairs and be comfortable. The radio is for entertainment sitting around the fire. An even better idea is to bring your guitar for a sing along.
When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.
Always take more water than you think you will use when you go on a camping trip. Many times, people forget how much water is needed. It is used for drinking, washing dishes and hands, cooking and even brushing your teeth. Water is not something you want to be without.
While you have this vision of a fun-filled camping trip, many times scrapes and cuts just seem to come with all that fun. Be sure you take a first-aid kit with you into nature because accidents just happen, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, it will stay packed safely away, but you will have the peace of mind that you are prepared if something does happen.
Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.
Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.
A big concern with many people who go camping is the bugs. Do not get stuck in the middle of nowhere without having some sort of bug repellant. Check your surroundings before setting up camp for any wasp nests or ant hills that could cause you problems. Wear long pants and long-sleeved whenever possible and inspect yourself for ticks occasionally.
As a courtesy to other campers, don’t leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
The potential for camping trips to become memorable vacations that will be remembered long into the future is great. However, in order to be prepared for anything that may arise along the way, some advance research can make all the difference. The preceding article should hopefully provide the right start for any aspiring camper.