Basic Tips, Tricks And Ideas For Camping

Are campgrounds a good investment?

It's always important to do a little research about camping before setting off on your trip. There are so many different things that can happen while you are out there. It doesn't hurt to be prepared, and can save you a lot of trouble. Here is some advice to help you have the best camping trip possible.

When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.

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.

Purchase a quality tent. It can be tempting to score a good deal on a tent, but you want to find something that can hold both you, your family members and your belongings. Try visiting a store that specializes in outdoor gear. They tend to have well-made products that will last for a while.

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 know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. Doing this will allow to know ahead of time that all parts you need are there, and it will also help you learn the proper setup of your tent ahead of time. You don't want to waste time at your destination, so this will make you well prepared.

The lint from your dryer's lint filter will help you start a campfire. Before you go camping, start saving lint from the dryer's filter. Hang up a grocery bag beside your dryer and collect the lint in it. By doing this, you'll be able to collect the kindling on the day you're taking the trip.

Figure out your new gear before you go camping. The practice does really help. No one wants to get to the campground, only to find out that they don't best tent stoves know how to use something or set up their own tent. Practice with your new gear before you ever set foot on the campground.

When traveling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you're near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!

On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you're out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you'll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.

When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.

When you have a campfire, be certain that someone is monitoring it at all times. Summer's weather and dry campsites can be potentially hazardous conditions for fires in unwanted areas. Take turns watching the flames, and be sure to keep a bucket of water and dirt handy to put out any fires.

Be sure to choose the right site for your camping experience. The camping site can make or break your trip. Try to choose a site that is not too far away from help should you need it. Choose a site that is flat and somewhat apart from trees. You want a location that is far from critters and close to aid.

Make sure you have charged flashlights for the trip. It can be really easy to inadvertently press the "on" switch on your flashlight when jostling through a bag of camping equipment. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. This way they won't activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.

One thing you must take with you when camping is your first aid kit. This kit should include items that are necessary in the event of an accident. Your personal first aid kit needs to contain pain reliever, bandages, splinting materials, snake bite treatments and wound dressings. Safety is important when camping, but accidents do happen, so you have to be prepared.

If your children are with you, establish a daily routine early on. This will help them adjust to their new surroundings and have a good time. Try to stick to a certain bedtime and eat your meals at about the same time each day. Your kids will be happier, and you will be as well.

When camping with kids, have a photo of them at hand. In the unfortunate event of an accident, this will help you have some form of identification for seeking assistance. Bring one to use for emergencies, particularly if you are a long way from home.

If you're camping where there are snakes, make your campsite snake-proof. Avoid places with piled up rocks, bushes that are thick, woodpiles or deep brush. Make sure you check your items to make sure a snake didn't sneak into them. Check that your tent is properly sealed, and build up the edges with dirt or sand to prevent snakes from crawling under.

Now that you've reached the end of this article, you surely realize that you, too, can go on the camping trip of your dreams. Heed the advice you've just been given, and head out for the great outdoors. When you follow the tips you've just read, you can't help but be a happy camper.