What is the life expectancy of a tent?
It is hard to dispute the immense enjoyment people from so many walks of life derive from camping. To truly maximize your next camping adventure, you will need to possess a good number of valuable tricks and tips. The article that follows is chock full of useful information sure to help make your time in the great outdoors a huge success.
If you are traveling with children, consider staying at a campground that is specifically designated for families. Campers in these areas know what to expect and will not have an issue if you have a cranky toddler or your children want to run around, scream and play. You will probably be more relaxed as a result and have a better time.
When going camping, make sure that you bring the right sleeping bag with you. Some sleeping bags will not keep you warm when the temperature dips below 40 degrees, while others will have you sweating all night long because they are too hot. The label on the bag usually will tell you what kinds of temperatures are appropriate for each sleeping bag.
Always take a fully stocked first-aid kit when you venture out on a camping trip. You can put together your own kit with bandages, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, anti bacteria cream and antiseptic wipes in a sturdy container. You can also buy one of the many excellent ready-made kits to save time.
While camping, cook easy dinners like "hobo stew". Simply bring potatoes, ground meat, and veggies. Cut the veggies and potatoes at your campsite. Using tinfoil like a bowl, put the ingredients inside and fold the foil over until the food is covered. Place foil on hot rocks or the coals of the campfire, and eventually you will have a tasty "stew".
If you are camping with others, ensure that there is something available to keep everyone entertained. There is nothing worse than a bored campmate, as they will constantly pester you for activities. Talk to your family and friends before hand and make sure they know how to entertain themselves for the trip.
Make sure you buy a tent that is big enough for your needs. Many people find themselves crowded in a tent for no reason. Tents are lightweight and very compact, so there is no reason not to have enough space when you buy a tent. Make sure you're buying for comfort.
Oranges can be used as a food source and a way to repel mosquitoes while you camp. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
When camping, periodically do a tick check. Look for any brown or black spots that have just appeared on your skin. Ticks attach themselves to the skin without causing too much of a disturbance, so be sure to check yourself and your companions for ticks after spending time camping outdoors.
If you're new to camping, you're going to want to arrive early to the campground. The reason for this is you will be new to the campground site and rules, and this will slow you down. You don't want to be stuck setting up camp after dark, so just arrive a little earlier than you usually would.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
Make sure that you know how to get a campfire burning before you head out into the woods. If you have difficulties getting a fire started, look for fire starting supplies to take with you. These supplies make it easy for just about anyone to start a fire on the spot.
Are you planning on trying tent camping for the first time and want some help choosing the right tent? First of glamping events all, choose a tent where everyone has enough room to sleep comfortably with enough space left to stow your gear. Also, make sure your tent has sturdy tent poles, heavy-duty zippers and seams that are double sewn. It is also important to make sure your tent has rain protection. Choose a tent with a rain fly.
Pack carefully and intelligently. A checklist of all supplies can help you be sure that you have everything you need as you are packing. This is key if you plan to visit a far away spot that is not likely to offer fist aid or other critical supplies.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
Watch out for irritants like poison ivy. It usually has recognizable triple-leaf clusters. However, poison sumac and poison oak tend to have more leaves and also need to be avoided. Keeping your skin completely covered when near these irritants can help prevent rashes. You should also carry some calamine lotion and allergy medication or antihistamines as a precaution.
Look into the temperature rating of the sleeping bag you are considering. If you are not going to be camping in cold climates, you do not need one that is rated for the cold temperatures. Finding the sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough without cooking you will make a huge difference in your camping experience.
The tips here will help you have a very enjoyable camping trip. Those were just some of the ways you can camp safely and happily. Continue to educate yourself about the many things you can do to improve the camping experience.