How To Have A Great And Safe Camping Trip

It was not that long ago that camping was the vacation of choice among families. Packing up the tent, the cooking utensils and the car full of food and heading off to a natural spot to enjoy lots of fresh air, non-electronic games and sometimes a spot of fishing. If this is not a treat you have yet enjoyed, read on for some great ideas for your next camping trip.

You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.

Although you might assume the woods will offer you plenty of firewood for your camping needs, nature may surprise you with rain-soaked logs or wood that will not easily ignite. As an added precaution, bring along wood from around your yard or logs from a home store, and keep them where they will stay dry.

Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.

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.

Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you've set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it's much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.

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.

One thing that many people forget to pack on a camping trip, and which quickly turns the trip into a nightmare is bug spray. This simple repellent will save you both annoyance and can protect your health as many types of bugs can do a great deal of damage to you quickly.

One of the most important things to remember when camping is to keep yourself relaxed. The entire point of a camping trip is to get away, so if you are finding yourself stressed by something, leave it alone and go enjoy nature until you are able to calm down. This will keep you happy and safe.

Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn't going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.

Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Make sure the food you bring won't spoil while you're camping. Food poisoning could put an end to your nice vacation. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.

Duct tape is a handy wild canvas camping item to pack with you on any camping trip. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house. It can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. If you're planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. It can also work as a bandage.

People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.

Make sure to watch your children very closely. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost. Disaster can strike in seconds; this makes it imperative that you always have an eye out for your kids.

You should carry a survival knife on your camping trips. This portable knife can be used for hunting, for protection, and for a signal if you need help. You need to carry one that is durable, so try to invest in a quality knife from an outdoor goods or camping store.

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.

A common mistake with newer campers is to set their site up near bathrooms. It may be convenient in some ways, but there are a lot of issues with that. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. Thus the strategy of camping out close to the restrooms ultimately backfires.

Stick with food safety when you camp. Pack food and drinks in airtight pouches and containers. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Keep cooked food separate from raw food to prevent contamination. Wash your hands and any surfaces when preparing food. Chill foods in a prompt manner and cook your foods to proper temperatures.

For quick and easy lantern hanging, bring along a wire hanger on your next camping trip! Simply bend it into an "S" shape when you are ready to settle in at your site, and hook the handle from the lantern on. The flexible hanger will allow for sturdy positioning at a safe level.

You can relax when you're camping, and when you're enjoying yourself you can get a bit more in tune with yourself. Use the tips in this article to make sure you really enjoy all there is to enjoy on your camping trip. Look for ways to make your experience one you will remember.