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When you think of a camping trip, you probably know that there is a tent and the outdoors involved. Are you aware of the other aspects of camping? This article will help raise awareness of the different things involved in order to experience a successful trip to the outdoors. Use these tips to have a fun camping trip!
Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Finding the right spot for your tent, gathering firewood and making dinner are all a lot tougher after darkness settles in. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
Purchase a quality tent. It can be tempting to score a good deal on a tent, but you want to find something that can hold both you, your family members and your belongings. Try visiting a store that specializes in outdoor gear. They tend to have well-made products that will last for a while.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. If you use your bedroom pillows, the humid weather will make them feel hot and sticky. On top of that, they will mildew rapidly as they suck in moisture. A good pillow intended for camping, however, will keep the moisture out, which will prevent any of the above problems.
Before you bring your dog along for a camping trip, get him used to the idea with a little practice run in the back yard. Pitch the tent in an already familiar area, and let him sleep or play in it for a while. Bringing a dog can really add to the fun of camping, so long as the animal has been adequately prepared for the event.
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.
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.
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.
Purchase a multi-use tool to store with your camping gear. This tool should include an axe, hammer and saw. The multi-use tool will come in handy when you are searching for firewood, clearing a trail and setting up your tent. When purchasing a multi-use tool, get one of the good quality one for years of enjoyment.
Bring bug spray. If you forget your bug spray on a camping trip, you will deeply regret it. Try a few different bug sprays ahead of time. Find something that works and doesn't irritate your skin. You also want to make sure that it isn't so greasy you'll be unwilling to sleep in it.
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.
One thing that many people forget to pack for their camping trips is the Sun-block. Even if you tan very well, there is no excuse not to protect you from the sun. In the short term, you will end up with a horrible burn, but in the long run it can give you serious problems with cancer.
You should leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that's fully charged. Or, bring an extra battery just in case your battery dies. A cellphone can save your skin in bad situations, but only if it has a battery.
Keep bears away by properly storing your food and disposing of your waste. When you leave food out or in your tent or shelter, nearby bears may destroy your site to find it. Keep living in a canvas tent it safe and way from your camp. Try placing it in a high place like on a tall tree branch or on a rope.
For easier food preparation on a camping trip, prepare ingredients at home, and pack them in plastic zipper bags. You might want to chop, and other ingredients can be cooked quickly and easily when the prep work is done ahead of time. Throw a few bags of vegetables and meat into a pot over a fire, and you have soup or stew!
Don't forget the sunscreen. Sun protection is important! Also, make sure that you have a sunscreen with a high SPF. You might want to choose sunscreen that includes insect repellent. You certainly don't want to be smothered in stinky, irritating chemicals while meandering about in the woods.
If you are interested in camping but are not sure if it is the right choice for you, you may want to start out with something a bit easier, like staying in a cabin or renting an RV for a weekend. If you enjoy nature with this convenience, then it may be time to up the game to a tent.
As you have read in the article above, there are a great number of things to consider whenever you are planning to spend some time in the great outdoors. Be sure to use these tips on your trip in order to enjoy a safe trip with your loved ones.