If you love to spend time outdoors, taking in everything that nature has to offer, then give camping a try. The following article has guidelines for what you should be doing and planning for before and during your big trip. If you are prepared, camping is great fun and worth the effort you put into it.
When packing for your camping adventure, make sure you pack only what you need for mealtimes. If you are at the campground, your food will have to stay cold so it does not spoil. If you are on the trail, any additional or excess food can be a burden. If you pack just enough food for the time you are on the trail, you will not be weighed down by excess weight.
The way you prepare will determine whether your camping trip will be fun or if it will be dangerous. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.
Double check your medical insurance. Traveling to a different area may necessitate that you purchase another policy. This is a bigger factor if you’re traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. Don’t get caught without the protection you need in case of an emergency situation.
When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.
It is important to have a flashlight when you camp, but make sure the batteries are fully charged. One way to be sure the batteries don’t accidentally drain on the journey is to put them into the flashlight backwards. That way if the switch is accidentally engaged, they stay charged. Plus, you know where the batteries are.
Though camping is meant to emphasize minimalism, some carefully chosen supplies can make all the difference. Not only should you carry a sleeping bag, a few blankets are a good idea also. If the temperature drops at night, you can use the blankets for warmth, or as padding, too.
Be mindful of the environment when you go camping. Whatever you carry into a campsite, make sure that you remove it when you leave. This will eliminate litter and protect the natural environment. Before leaving, the area you have inhabited should be as clean as you would want it if you were just arriving to camp there that day.
Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. It is very easy to accidentally press the ‘on’ button of your flashlight when it is jostling in a bag with other camping equipment. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.
Be sure that you have a good amount of lighting devices with you, as well as means of keeping them running. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. Having the ability to light up an area well can prevent injuries and potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife. If you have children with you on your camping trip, a smart thing to do is to give each of them a flashlight.
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.