Learn To Camp Better With These Simple Tips

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You may have camped as a child, but it still has a lot to offer you. You can have just as much fun now, if you make use of good information. These tips should help you along your way.

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.

When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.

Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won't keep you warm in the winter. You could even develop hypothermia or frostbite if it's very cold.

If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.

Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.

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 are interested in camping, and you are new to the activity, then you should never start out alone. It can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, so it is important to bring along an experienced friend to help you learn the ropes.

Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. The last thing you need is to forget something essential like your tent or sleeping bag. Double check the items you want to take and make a check list before you leave to make sure that you bring everything with you.

Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.

Cross contamination is not an issue that only affects people that cook at home. When you are cooking outdoors, you still have to worry about not using the same cutting board to cut meat that you do to cut any other foods. If you only have one board, use both sides.

When you are camping, you should never eat anything unless you are absolutely certain of what it is. There is nothing worse than a strong case of stomach problems when you are far away from both medical attention and a toilet. It is recommended to only eat food that you bring.

When collecting wood for a campfire, focus on three different sizes: the finger-size wood, that will catch fire right away, the arm-size wood that will keep it going, and the leg-size wood that will allow you to keep the fire going for a long time. Getting different sizes of wood helps you to start the fire and keep it going.

Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.

If you are taking children with on your camping trip be sure to bring pictures of them as well. If your children get lost during your trip, a picture of them can be very helpful. Be sure that you have brought one for urgent situations, particularly if your camping destination is quite a ways from home.

Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!

When you are purchasing your camping supplies, spend a little extra on the better supplies. If you buy the better quality products, you will only have to buy these things once. After you have them bought, camping can be a very affordable way to get away from home for a weekend.

A great tip for anyone that is going camping is to take plenty of water. In this case, there is absolutely no such thing as too much water. Plan out how much water you will need and then try and at least double the amount just to be on the safe side.

Wear closed-toe shoes when camping. While walking with open-toe shoes or barefoot in nature may sound appealing, there are a lot of treacherous things on the ground that can harm your feet including rocks, sticks, poisonous plants and even animals. Protect your feet completely by always wearing shoes that protect you completely.

When you go camping, you are really doing a lot of things. You are being equal parts explorer, nature canvas tent rental near me enthusiast and reveler. Use the tips in this article to make sure you make the most of every role you assume when you go camping, and have a great time out there!