How often should you waterproof a canvas tent?
If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.
When you get to your campsite, take your family out on a walk. Particularly, if you have children, everyone will need a chance to stretch their legs after getting out of the car. The hike will be a good chance to get everyone excited about the trip and involved with nature.
When you pack up your camp site to go home, leave a few logs and some kindling for the next camping group that comes along. If you have ever arrived at your site after dark, you know how tough it can be to find firewood! It's a very nice pay-it-forward gesture that will probably help out more than you can imagine.
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.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Get a sleeping bag that is warm enough. This is important. Even if you go camping in the summertime, nights can get very cold out in the wild. There are sleeping bags promising protection from varying cold temperatures; it is a good idea to opt for as low a temperature as you can find.
A Frisbee makes for excellent support under paper plates, and can avoid the usual camping spillage and drops! Grab as many of them as you have around your home or yard, or pick more information up a few at your local dollar-type store. They conveniently stack for easy, space-saving packing and are tremendously helpful with little one's meals.
Make sure you have activities to do while camping. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. You will probably enjoy your trip more if you're prepared for all sorts of situations that may arise.
Don't wait until nightfall to set up camp. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. If you have a tent, find dry, flat ground. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. It also makes it much easier to actually see what you are doing, thus saving a great deal of frustration.
Be certain your camp fire is completely out before you leave a campsite. To your eye it may seem like the fire is gone, but stir the ashes with a stick and you may find burning embers. Pour enough water and keep stirring until you see no more embers in the fire pit.
If you're having trouble keeping warm at night, wear a hat. It can get cold out in nature. As cold as it gets, however, it can be quite stifling to keep your head tucked inside your sleeping bag at all times. Pack a warm woolen hat to wear while you sleep.
One thing that many people forget to pack for their camping trips is the Sun-block. Even if you tan very well, there is no excuse not to protect you from the sun. In the short term, you will end up with a horrible burn, but in the long run it can give you serious problems with cancer.
When you're finished camping and ready to go home, you should pick up after yourself. Keeping nature clean and preserved can allow future campers to enjoy it too. Before you leave, clean up any messes, you've made at your site and try your best to leave nature as you originally found it.
Learn how to mark the trails that you are exploring. It can be quite easy to get lost in the woods. Marking the trails that you are walking will make it easy to find your way back to camp. It can also help others find you if you get lost.
When you're setting up a tent it's important to seal every seam. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any. By sealing the seams on your tent, you will keep out rainwater and any small critter that might want to join your tenting party.
To end, you should keep the advice and tips here in mind when you are out and about on your camping trip. No one wants to come home from a trip due to being frustrated because they were not aware of what they needed to know beforehand. Good luck and have fun!
