Whether you pitch a tent or roll up in a motor home, choosing to spend your vacation time camping can be a blast! Make sure you plan and prepare for all of the little hazards that living with nature can present, by reading the following tips and adhering to their advice!
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.
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.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Make a list of things you need to take with you before you go camping. You may think you are great at packing, but little else is worse than being out in the middle of the woods and realizing you forgot your allergy medication. Sit down and create a comprehensive list of everything you might need during the week before your camping trip.
A Frisbee makes for excellent support under paper plates, and can avoid the usual camping spillage and drops! Grab as many of them as you have around your home or yard, or pick up a few at your local dollar-type store. They conveniently stack for easy, space-saving packing and are tremendously helpful with little one’s meals.
Get a sleeping bag that is warm enough. This is important. Even if you go camping in the summertime, nights can get very cold out in the wild. There are sleeping bags promising protection from varying cold temperatures; it is a good idea to opt for as low a temperature as you can find.
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.
Pack a first aid kit. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. For example, if you will be camping in a Southern state you should certainly carry anti-venom for the local wildlife that you may encounter.
Purchase some pillows that are made for camping prior to going on your trip. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.
No matter how you do it, camping is a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend your vacation. It can offer great relaxation, inspiration and even teach us a lot about our environment. Keep the tips from this article in mind as you set out on your camping adventure and remember to have fun!