How do you survive a tent in the winter?
Have you camped recently? Camping is a fun and relaxing way to get back to nature and reflect on your life. You can leave the stresses of the office behind and completely unplug from the world. Spend some time reading this article, and learn how to make your camping excursion a successful one.
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.
If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.
Before you leave on your trip, use your backyard to help you work out the kinks in your camping equipment. Put up your tent to make sure you know (or remember!) how to put it up. This will also allow you to see if anything needs to be patched up. It will make it that much easier for you when you get to the campsite.
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.
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.
Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. Sometimes when you go to a different place, you'll have to get an additional build a tent platform policy to cover you. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Be sure that your insurance will cover you, no matter where you are.
Is this the first time you are camping? So, practice setting up your tent and taking it down before you leave home. This practice will give you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to get set up quickly and easily. This will also speed up your ability to pitch a tent and keep you safe if nighttime is approaching when you're ready to camp.
Understand how your food will be cooked. You need to consider how you are going to prepare all meals. Will you need charcoal? Perhaps you need a small propane tank. It can be difficult to cook every meal over an open fire; no matter, how much fun it might seem.
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.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!
On your next camping trip, take along some empty prescription bottles. These can be used to store a lot of small items for a low price. One good use of them is to help keep your matches safe and dry. The matches will fit in perfectly, and they are fairly leak-proof, so you won't have to worry about the contents when it rains.
If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.
Reading a map and using a compass are two things that should be done before heading out for a camping trip. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.
Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. If your tent kit did not contain a tube of sealant, it can be found at most sporting stores. This will allow you to keep wild animals and bad weather from getting into your tent.
A full first aid kit should be a vital part of your camping gear. This should include anything you might need if you have an accident. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Accidents happen even when precautions are taken.
Camping can be a magical experience for both you and your entire family. Use the tips in this article to make sure you do a good job of staying safe and having a great time camping at the same time. Go on your next camping trip better prepared and even more ready for fun.