How long will a canvas tent last?
Are you ready to pack and go on a camping trip? Whether you are planning for a week long stay in the wild or a simple one night adventure, you must plan. The tips below are great for maximizing any camping journey.
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.
Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. By bringing a winter sleeping bag in the summer you may end up sweating instead of sleeping. The opposite is true as well, as you need a good, heavy sleeping bag when you are going to be enduring very cold conditions. You may even risk hypothermia.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
If you have a new tent to take on your camping trip, you should set it up at home before you go on your camping trip. By setting the tent up you can ensure that you comprehend how to pitch your tent. It can reduce the frustration that you could experience setting up the tent as well.
Get a big enough tent to fit everyone and gear properly. This will ensure comfort while inside the tent.
Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel--bring it.
Pack a bandanna or handkerchief. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
While camping, cook easy dinners like "hobo stew". Simply bring potatoes, ground meat, and veggies. Cut the veggies and potatoes at your campsite. Using tinfoil like a bowl, put the ingredients inside and fold the foil over until the food is covered. Place foil on hot rocks or the coals of the campfire, and eventually you will have a tasty "stew".
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.
Any time you go camping, do not forget to bring a first-aid kit along with you. Since accidents can happen at any time, a first-aid kit is a very valuable asset to possess. Be sure to include topical creams for bug bites, sun burns and poison ivy when putting your kit together.
Before going on a camping trip, make sure that you compile a list of things that you will need to take with you. If the campgrounds are located at fair distance from your home, then this step will be crucial. Use your list to guide your packing and make sure to start packing a few days before the start of your trip.
If you yurt style tent are camping outdoors instead of in a travel trailer or RV, it is important to dress in (or carry with you) layers of clothing. While on a camping trip, temperatures can fluctuate widely. The easiest and most effective method to control your body temperature is through adding and removing layers of clothing. Having layers of clothing also protects you from bug bites.
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.
Food safety is very important while you are camping. Use the correct containers to pack and store food in. Keep your food inside insulated coolers. Keep cooked food separate from raw food to prevent contamination. Always wash any food surfaces, as well as your hands. Use antibacterial soap to wash and follow with sanitizer. Cook all your foods completely, and make sure to chill perishables as soon as possible.
It is a great idea to put your tent together at home before you go out camping. Some tents can seem very complicated, and you do not want to get stuck in the dark without your tent being assembled. If you practice when you are at home, you will already have the experience of setting it up, and it will go smoothly.
On your next camping trip, take along some empty prescription bottles. These can be used to store a lot of small items for a low price. One good use of them is to help keep your matches safe and dry. The matches will fit in perfectly, and they are fairly leak-proof, so you won't have to worry about the contents when it rains.
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.