How much does a good tent cost?
Have you been thinking about going camping for a long time now? What has been holding you back? Is it the lack of knowledge? Well go ahead and read this article so that you know what it takes to enjoy yourself on a nice weekend camping trip with the whole family.
Although it is not an essential part of your back country camping gear, a machete is something that you may consider packing depending on where you are going. It is a very versatile tool in the wilderness. You can cut a trail, hack bamboo and vines for shelter, cut coconuts for water, chop firewood, and even use it as protection against wild animals.
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.
Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.
Set up a "jungle breakfast" when you are camping with your kids. Take juice boxes, mini cereal boxes and fruit and tie the food to trees. When they wake up, they'll have to search the "jungle" for breakfast. This will add some adventure and fun to their day.
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.
Pour out any water that has accumulated in your freezer each day. You want to do this to prevent the ice inside from melting into the water. It is also a good idea because any contaminants that have entered the water from foods you have in, can be poured off.
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
When you are camping, you should never eat anything unless you are absolutely certain of what it is. There is nothing worse than a strong case of stomach problems when you are far away from both medical attention and a toilet. It is recommended to only eat food that you bring.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. There are going to be moments when you must clearly see certain items when it gets dark. Without a flashlight, you could easily fall or be surprised by an animal. If you are bringing children on your trip, it's a good idea to provide each of them with their own light.
Plan several activities to do while camping. You might want to take a deck of cards or a list of things to look for during used bell tents for sale a scavenger hunt as well as a fishing pole. If you're bringing along kids, it doesn't hurt to go overboard when thinking of what to bring for fun.
Stand ready for all possibilities when you camp. Even with a perfect plan, things can still go awry. Weather is truly unpredictable at times, so prepare yourself for the worse. Do what you can to prevent any accidents or illnesses and bring what you need to treat it if it does happen.
For your first camping trips, try to choose a place that you can drive to. If your car is nearby you can use it as a "fortress" of sorts when you are in the middle of nowhere. Not only can you enter it in case of wildlife attack; it can also protect you from the elements.
Make sure to pack some duct tape for your camping trip. While tents are generally well-made, it is not unusual for them to tear. If you have duct tape, you can fix tears and sleep safely and dryly even if your tent suffers damage during an unexpectedly exciting day.
If you are going camping with a tent you have never used before, put it up in your backyard before you leave. When you get to your campsite, it might be dark and raining, and you might have to go on feel and memory pitching the thing. So, it helps to have done it at least once before.
Use an old shower curtain as a camping tarp. The next time you switch out your shower curtain, save the old one and you can use it when you go camping. Tarps, or old shower curtains can be used for many things. You can put it under your tent or use it to keep you dry should it rain.
Trail mix is a classic snack and for a good reason. Throw a little beef jerky, a few fruits, and you've got yourself a full camper's meal. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. These items can be stored for quite a while, which means you don't have to worry about the expiration date.
As you now know from the article above, camping is not simply driving out into the wilderness without proper planing. Rather, there are many important things to consider when venturing out to the great outdoors. Keep the tips you've just read on hand and implement them the next time you decide to go camping.