How cold is too cold to sleep in a tent?
Camping is something that is fun for the entire family. Whether you are new to camping, or are a seasoned veteran, there are always things you must consider before venturing out on your next camping trip. The following article will help prepare you for your next trip so that you have a good and safe time.
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.
Pick a type of sleeping bag that happens to be appropriate for the season. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. And if you taking a sleeping bag that is light-weight, you are going to freeze. You could even experience hypothermia.
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.
Research any potential campground well. They all have different amenities. Some may have showers and bathrooms, while others may not. There are even a few campgrounds that are quite fancy, with onsite miniature golf games or water parks. You may not need or want all that, so figure it out ahead of time so that you are not disappointed when you get there.
Be prepared for colder weather than expected when choosing a sleeping bag to bring on your camping trip. Always choose a sleeping bag rated for a temperature range just below what you're expecting, even in the summertime. Also, sleeping bags made with synthetic fibers will dry out faster if it rains unexpectedly, but natural fiber sleeping bags will be lighter to carry.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. Kids can easily get bored if you are in the woods for a long time. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. If they aren't used to camping activities, teach them before you leave.
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
If you're going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you're very careful about your food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don't escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. This will reduce your chances of being attacked.
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.
Take along a box with essential supplies when you go camping. Include things like stick matches, a flashlight, cooking tools and hand cleaner. Prepare in advance. Think about all the things you might need days before you leave on your trip, especially if you will be far from any store.
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.
Wear layered clothing to manage your body temperature. When camping, it is a hassle to have to change clothing when temperatures suddenly rise or drop. However, if you layer your clothing, you will be able to quickly and easily peel off or put on layers of clothing as the need arises.
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.
Flashlights, lanterns and a good supply of extra batteries are necessary supplies during any camping trip. This will ensure everyone remains safe. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.
If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.
Never force anyone to go camping with you, including family or girlfriends. Some people just don't enjoy being in nature, and they will be miserable and in turn, make you miserable as well. If your children are simply not interested, find a babysitter for the weekend and relax alone!
Make sure you always have a source of clean water with you. When camping, you can't always trust that a natural water source is clean enough to drink from without bell tent platform boiling the water first. So keep a canteen filled with water at your side during any daily adventure. In the evenings, boil any spring water for ten minutes to create clean water reserves for the next day.
Your camping trip will more than likely go without a hitch as long as you have the right information ahead of time, and now you have that thanks to this article. Apply what you have learned here, and have the most wonderful time enjoying your next camping adventure.