Is going on a camping trip something you are considering? Planning is essential to enjoying your camping trip, no matter the length of your stay. The information here will help you have a fun and relaxing trip.
Though you may believe that there will be sufficient wood lying around for your fire, you may only be able to find wet lumber that does not easily burn. Bringing your own wood never hurts, especially when things are a little wet and you know a fire will be needed.
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.
Always take a fully stocked first-aid kit when you venture out on a camping trip. You can put together your own kit with bandages, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, anti bacteria cream and antiseptic wipes in a sturdy container. You can also buy one of the many excellent ready-made kits to save time.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. While camping, you might really miss the luxury of showering. The cool water helps you to feel fresher, and you may just miss your shower a bit less.
Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel–bring it.
When collecting wood for a campfire, focus on three different sizes: the finger-size wood, that will catch fire right away, the arm-size wood that will keep it going, and the leg-size wood that will allow you to keep the fire going for a long time. Getting different sizes of wood helps you to start the fire and keep it going.
If you will be camping somewhere that is very far away from civilization, then make sure you have told several people where you will be as well as how long you are intending to stay. Ask them to call you on the day you are supposed to return to ensure your safety.
Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.
Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare batteries when you go camping. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. Sufficient light can help you avoid falling or bumping into to animals. It’s a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don’t plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
You should now be better prepared to plan for your trip. You should have noticed that many of the things that need to be planned for a week long stay must also be planned for the overnight adventure. Get start now, and you will be very glad that you did.