Camp Smarter With These Simple Hints, Tips And Ideas

Can you sleep in a moldy tent?

Going camping often results in a lot of fun. You might discover something new about yourself, get a little closer to nature or just feel free from the everyday stress you have to deal with. Hiking, campfires and bird watching are all things to enjoy on a camping trip. There are various things to think about and do before you leave to go camping, but these tips can help.

Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.

When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.

Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer's filter into the bag every time it is full. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.

When you decide to go camping you want to make sure that you bring a flashlight with some batteries. You want to be able to see in the middle of the night just in case you have to get up and go to the bathroom, or just to move around.

Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.

Many people are deterred from camping because they have to sleep on the ground, but you do not have to be uncomfortable when you go camping. Stop by the local drug store and purchase some inexpensive pool floats. These are far more comfortable than the ground to sleep on, and will keep you high and dry as well.

Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. These types of pillows are prone to taking in the moisture in the air and can even mold if left in wet conditions for too long. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.

Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. They may not know what it's like to fish or do things in nature. If they have not spent much time outdoors, show them the basics before you leave.

When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.

Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.

Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.

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.

Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.

Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you waterproof canvas tent sit in your tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.

Always bring both a first-aid kit as well as a survival kit. Together, these items can be the difference between going home early and rapidly addressing problems that arise. This precaution can prevent loss of life and give you the time you need to get needed medical assistance in case of injury.

Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.

Pay attention to where you're setting up camp. Always avoid camping near a bee's nest or insect breeding grounds. When staying near plants, use long sleeved shirts as well as pants; this avoids insect issues. You might also want to carry bug repellent too.

Thanks to the information you read above, you are surely in a better position to have a great camping experience the next time you go. Camping is not a luxury vacation, and you should go into it prepared and ready. Put the information you read above to use so that you can have the best time possible.