Why does my tent get wet inside?
Whether this is the first time camping or you have been camping since you were a child, camping holds a special place in everyone's heart. It's a chance to get away to a simpler time and enjoy yourself. Here are some helpful camping tips in order to help you do that.
Camping is definitely a fun time, but there might also be uninvited guests at your campsite. Who are these guests? Bugs! This is their environment and they like camping, too. Make sure you have bugged repellent with you to tell them to stay at their own campsite or to go visit other campers who weren't quite as prepared as you were.
When going camping, you must make sure that you keep a list of all of the supplies that you plan to bring. You have to make sure you include everything that you will need on your trip. This is the best way to make sure that you don't forget something for your trip.
Before you start out on that relaxing camping trip, it is essential for your safety to make sure to let someone know you are going. Give a friend or neighbor the name of the campsite if you are using one. If you are headed out on a less structured trip, give your contact a general idea of where you are headed and a timeline for your return. If something goes wrong, there will be someone to know where to look for you.
Review your health insurance policy. If you go camping out of state, you may need to have coverage where you go. This is even more of a factor if you travel to another country to go camping, like Canada. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case anything happens!
A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.
Bring enough food and snack items to last you throughout the whole trip. You don't want to spend your time going to get food every meal, enjoy yourself while you are camping. Bring cereal, hot dogs, and all of your other favorite food items that will fuel you throughout your trip.
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.
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.
While camping seems synonymous with a campfire, that campfire doesn't necessarily have to be made from wood. In fact, it might be safer and easier to use a portable campfire unit powered by propane. For the most part, these units are permitted unless there is a fire ban in place. Marshmallows taste just as good from these units as they do over an open, wood-burning fire, too.
In this modern age, there is no excuse for being in the woods without some form of communication ability. Of course, no one likes to receive phone calls when they are relaxing, so leave your phone off but fully charged, just in case there is an emergency, and you need to contact someone.
Duct tape is a handy item to include in your camping gear. It has mobile glamping business as many uses on the campsite as it does at home. You could seal an air leak in your mattress. 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.
When you are going camping, do your best to get as early of a start as possible. It will be your job to pitch your tent so you have somewhere to rest comfortably, and that will be much harder for you to do once it starts to get dark outside.
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!
Learn how to use a map or a compass before going camping. Although you might know your site, it is still easy to get lost, as many places in the woods look similar. You can avoid things going wrong if you know how to operate these great lifesaving tools.
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.
Many people who are new to camping think that erecting a tent next to the campsite's communal bathrooms is a good idea. While this might be convenient, you'll soon find out differently. Many people travel to the bathrooms, and they also have lights. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
It is a good idea to have a cell phone that is fully charged in your car or base camp. Even better, try bring along some spare batteries in case your phone's battery runs out. Your cell phone makes for excellent emergency equipment, so you must ensure it does not die.
Keep safety in mind on your camping trip. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit along with the traditional bandaging supplies and antibiotic ointment. But throw into the mix some antihistamine for bug bites and bee stings, pain reliever, hand sanitizer and any other items that could come in handy in the outdoors.
As stated before, camping is a great experience that lets you see all of the beauty of nature. For any future campers, the tips above will certainly come in handy. They will help you enjoy your next outing into the wild and focus on the wonders of nature and its inhabitants.