How do you store a tent for winter?
Camping is a great activity, but not everyone sees it this way. There are some stigmas associated with camping, such as the potential dangers that the wild may bring. There is no need to be fearful of camping, as long as you have enough knowledge. The following article contains useful camping advice.
If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.
If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.
Bring supplies for 'Smores. 'Smores are an integral part of any camping trip. Simply pack graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows, then make it the filling to a graham cracker/chocolate sandwich. When you have a 'Smore, you will want 'some more'--bring enough for everyone to have at least two of them!
When going camping you need to ensure that the tent you build can easily hold you and anybody else that comes along. This makes it possible for everyone to sleep comfortably, and it also allows for room to move about and exit the tent if nature calls.
Create a proper emergency kit if you plan to go camping. There are certain things you'll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Items that will help with possible snake bites or a sling in case of sprains or breaks is a good idea, too.
When you go camping, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. Walking in wooded areas, you can come across almost anything; not to mention things can fall on your feet. You may also want to take a hike. So the next time you go out camping, make sure to wear shoes that can go everywhere you want to go.
If you bring a dog camping with you, be sure to keep an eye on them and be sure they're on a leash. Other campers may not like dogs, or could even be afraid of them. You should respect your fellow campers in the area. Dogs can also damage campsites, or get into the belongings of your neighboring camps, without proper supervision.
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.
Make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the location. Bags that are light are good for warmer places and a sleeping bag that's heavier works best when things are colder. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.
You should bring food on your camping trips. You should plan out what and how many meals you plan on eating before going on your trip. As far as how much food you should bring, a good rule of thumb is to only carry the amount of food that you need to prepare your meals.
One great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along plenty of 550-cord. This cord is extremely useful for many things like staking guy-lines, installing tarp and hanging bear bags. It is always better to bring to much chord than too little and find that you really need it.
Improper food packing leads to food poisoning in many campers each year. Preserve the food by vacuum sealing or canning it to prevent food poisoning on long camping trips. Ice is important as it will help to keep your food chilled and fresh.
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.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather. You will need sleeping bags that hug your body and help you retain body heat if you're sleeping in a tent.
Whenever you are near any type of plants, always wear clothing that will cover you from head to toe. Doing this will help prevent you from breaking out during your camping stay. Although this may only be a mild breakout, you could be allergic to certain plants, which could put you at serious risk. Wearing clothing will prevent this from occurring.
On camping trips of longer duration, bring some entertaining activities along. Try to leave the electronics at home, enjoy the outdoors and only bring a radio or a book for those evenings sitting around the campfire.
Before you load up the gear and drive toward your next camping trip, be wise and research different camping locations for the one which best suits your needs. As an example, if you are a greenhorn camper, then you will probably want to choose a site that is near civilization. Nothing is worse than arriving at your dream location and finding out that they have no space available, so be sure to make a reservation.
The next time you decide to go on a camping trip, don't be fooled by all of the ads and sales jargon by stores and companies. Don't be bell tent rug suckered into breaking the bank in order to buy camping equipment. Use this article to get the reliable and affordable camping equipment you need and have fun.