You cannot deny that some people are just attracted to having experiences in the great outdoors. Going camping prepared is always the best bet though, and having some tips and tricks up your sleeve never hurts. By taking time to learn from the advice below, your upcoming trip can become the best trip you’ve ever had.
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.
When it comes to food, bring only what you need on a camping trip. Extra food out in the wilderness is a calling card for wild animals to come visiting your campground. If you do find that you have additional food, tie it up in cloth and handg it as high as you can in a tree away from your immediate campground. This will help keep you from unwanted animal introductions.
You might think that you can find all of the wood that you need to keep the fire going, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s a great idea to carry your own wood with you and to keep it secure in a dry area.
Navigation is the key when it comes to camping. It is important to know where you are, and how to get back to civilization if you become lost. Always bring a map of the area, and a compass to help you. You can also use an outdoor GPS that will give you navigation information, as well as additional information such as altitude.
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!
Choose a tent large enough for everyone that will be expected to use it. You want to make sure that you have enough room in the tent for sleeping quarters and so that each person in the room has enough room.
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
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.
Camping can be extremely fun or extremely dangerous depending upon how prepared you are. Without proper preparation, a camping trip can turn into a disaster. Do some research on the climate and wildlife if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Camping is a simple pleasure in life for those that understand the proper way to do it. You must research before you can plan for the perfect camping trip. You will be a fan of the joys of camping in no time at all with these excellent tips at hand.