Can you sleep in a tent in the winter?
When you go camping with your family, you are likely to create memories that everyone remembers for a lifetime. But are the memories good ones filled with smiles and laughter? Or is just the trip that no one ever wants to talk about? The difference is largely in your knowledge and preparation for the trip. Read on for tips you can use towards camping success.
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.
Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!
Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
Purchase camping pillows for a camping trip! Make sure that you bring camping pillows that do not absorb moisture. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Pillows designed for camping have a coating on them that does not all the moisture to be absorbed.
Bring bug spray. If you forget your bug spray on a camping trip, you will deeply regret it. Try a few different bug sprays ahead of time. Find something that works and doesn't irritate your skin. You also want to make sure that it isn't so greasy you'll be unwilling to sleep in it.
Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
You need to carry water that is clean if you will not have access to a safe spring or to clean tap water when you're camping. You can either carry your own water in bottles or bring some iodine with you to sanitize nearby water. You can also use a water filter or boil water for around 10 minutes.
You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter. Simply hang a plastic bag near the dryer and stash the lint in the bag as it collects. When you are ready to leave on your trip, just pack your bag of lint for kindling.
Bugs can be a major problem with camping; they can cause disease, get into your food, and just be a nuisance. Take the proper measures to keep them away. This includes not putting on perfume or cologne, lighting citronella candles, avoiding swamp lands, and covering your skin, so they are not attracted to your scent.
If you're bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it's wearing its tags. Losing track of a pet can be heartbreaking. Make sure your dog is wearing its dog license and an ID with contact information before you leave on your trip. Neglecting to do so can have tragic consequences.
Try to arrange all of your clothing in advance before you go on a camping trip. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. Also, check the weather so that you can dress accordingly. Robust hiking boots that do not tear are another great item to bring while camping.
It is perfectly normal to set a budget for your overall camping trip. Sit down and make a plan of what you must spend on your entire trip. Make sure you factor in the campground costs, gasoline prices as well as food and any other materials you will need to purchase. This will ensure that you don't spend more than you have on your trip.
Before you go camping, make sure to think about the clothes you will need for the trip. Be sure you have enough clean clothes to last the entire trip. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite's climate and weather. Make sure to pack a good pair of shoes to hike in as well.
Study what kinds of wild animals can be found in your camping area. Many campers have been attacked in the outdoors because of their lack of knowledge of wild animals. Some of the animals you may encounter are whitetail deer, feral hogs, black bears, mountain lions or snakes. Use the Internet to help you research your climate and area for an accurate list!
Make sure you secure all sources of food at night when you go to sleep. There are many animals that can frequent campgrounds at night and scavenge your food, especially when left open and unattended for hours. You don't want to wake up to your food canvas bell tents scattered everywhere, and you left with a shortage.
If you have more than three people camping with you, take along more than one tent. You are going to want to have some privacy at one time or another. The additional tent will make it possible to get some "me" time while at the camp site. It also gives you additional storage to keep animals out of your supplies.
Camping is something that is truly enjoyable. You should build on your knowledge base of camping by doing proper research. Use the ideas from the article, and you should be able to set up your tent and start camping whenever you want.