Do tents leak when it rains?
Camping can be one of the most affordable ways to get out of the home and have a good time with the family. If you are looking for a way to enjoy some time away from home with your family, camping may be just what you are looking for. Use the tips below to begin planning.
When it comes to food, bring only what you need on a camping trip. Extra food out in the wilderness is a calling card for wild animals to come visiting your campground. If you do find that you have additional food, tie it up in cloth and handg it as high as you can in a tree away from your immediate campground. This will help keep you from unwanted animal introductions.
Don't assume you can find wood at or near your camp site. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
Remember that you, your possessions and your family members are inevitably going to get dirty. Being prepared for the inevitable is the best way to avoid unneeded stress. Have fun on your trip and don't worry about getting messy; it happens. You can always clean up, and be "normal" when you return home.
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.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
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.
Remember the Boy Scout motto - be prepared! Remember that things don't always go the way you expect them to. Weather conditions can turn on a dime, your surroundings can change suddenly and injuries can occur at any time. It's important that you take care of everything, don't take risks that you don't need to, and think things through before doing them.
Make sure you have a suitable water source. Even if you bring water with you, plan to need more water and know where you will be able to get more. It is a good idea to know where your water source will be before you go camping at all, but surely right after you arrive.
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.
If you are taking your children camping with you, don't forget to take walkie talkies along with you. Although each of you may own a cell phone, the area where you are camping may not have adequate coverage. It is best to invest in walkie talkies that have a range of several miles. By having walkie talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) radio, you can remain in contact with all members of your family.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
Are you planning on trying tent camping for the first time and want some help choosing the right tent? First of 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.
If you're going camping with a pet, take them for a vet visit beforehand. Inform your veterinarian of where you plan to go camping. Get your pet updated on all their vaccinations and be sure they have protection against ticks, mites, and fleas. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of a pet.
If you haven't camped before, then now is not the time to start being a hermit. Ask an experienced friend to go with you and show you the ropes. As you become more advanced in the hobby you can start to take small and then larger trips alone and get your hermitude on.
It's a good idea to maintain hygiene when camping. Items like washcloths, sponges, bowls, biodegradable soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baking soda, floss, and clean water can help you stay clean during your trip. You can also use hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and cotton balls on non-sensitive areas. Don't use anything with fragrances since they can attract bugs.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that's fully charged. Even better, bring extra batteries so you are prepared if there is an emergency. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise.
If camping with children, place each set of their clothing in a zippered plastic bag or a tied plastic grocery bag. By sorting and packing their clothes in this manner, each morning your child can grab a package and have glamping tent for rent an entire outfit of clothing for the day. When it is time to go to bed at night, each child can stuff the soiled clothing back into the plastic bag and place it back into their suitcase and not soil unworn clothing.
At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Include trash bags in your supplies to make cleanup easy. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. Leave only your footprints should be your motto as you clean your camp.
Now that you know enough about camping, you should have no problem going on your first camping trip. You can finally stop wondering about camping and actually go outside and experience it. Just use the camping information you've read to guide you every step of the way and you should be fine.