Camping can be a great way for you to spend time with your family. However, there are a lot of things you need to keep in mind so that you not only are safe, but have fun as well. Here are some great ways for you to have a good time camping while remaining prepared for whatever comes your way.
Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.
Check weather reports in the area you plan to camp in. You can visit http://www.weather.com to check the weather just about anywhere. Be sure to look at the 10 day forecast along with extended weather patterns. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
Figure out your new gear before you go camping. The practice does really help. No one wants to get to the campground, only to find out that they don't know how to use something or set up their own tent. Practice with your new gear before you ever set foot on the campground.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire's glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don't want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
You can make tasty meals even when you are camping. You do not necessarily need to eat just franks and beans or hamburgers. Pack a box with herbs and spices, olive oil, brown sugar or whatever else you like. You can fix meals that have flavor even when you are "roughing" it.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Start collecting the lint from your dryer's filter about a month before you go on your trip. Just hang a grocery bag next to your dryer and stuff the lint into the bag. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
If you will be camping somewhere that is very far away from civilization, then make sure you have told several people where you will be as well as how long you are intending to stay. Ask them to call you on the day you are supposed to return to ensure your safety.
You should bring food on your camping trips. You should plan out what and how many meals you plan on eating before going on your trip. As far as how much food you should bring, a good rule of thumb is to only carry the amount of food that you need to prepare your meals.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. It is an even better idea to bring extra batteries as an emergency backup. Your phone could be the most important equipment you have in an emergency.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
A good way to pack eggs on a camping trip is to crack them open and pour them into a recyclable water bottle or other container. Shake a few times for scrambled eggs and omelets,or pour them one at a time into a frying pan for sunny- side- up!
Especially if you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you know how to get ice. Ice melts rather fast, pretty tent and you're going to need more. Sometimes you can buy ice at the campsite, or sometimes at a store, but there are times when ice isn't so close to where you're camping.
Pack glow sticks. It gets dark out in nature. If you're just waking up in the middle of the middle of the night, the light from a flashlight or lantern can be too harsh. Bring glow sticks and keep them in an easily accessible location. These will provide a softer light.
Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.
Bring water purification tablets when you go camping. Even if you bring plenty of water you may run out or have an emergency that requires more water, fast. Moreover, you should experiment with the tablets at home so you know what to expect when using them in the wilderness. It would be silly to risk dehydration because of a bad taste.
Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. Always store your matches in a container or packaging that is airtight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. You can make a carrying case for matches by putting them in a film canister or a small plastic medicine bottle.
Camping trips with your family become the memories of legend. Sometimes these memories are good, sometimes they are bad. To give your next camping trip the highest chances of success, apply all the ideas that you have read in this article. They can serve as the tent of knowledge that protects you.
