How often should a tent be waterproofed?
Many people around the world will tell you that they live for camping trips. Camping is something that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. But camping can be a bummer if you show up to your camping destination without at least a little knowledge, though. Read on to get yourself prepared!
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don't have to bunk with the adults.
Before you head out on your long-awaited camping trip, make sure the area where you plan to camp doesn't require a camping permit. If you happen to camp in a place that does require one and you didn't get one, then you could be facing quite a hefty ticket or fine from a local forest ranger.
Keep the needs of your family in mind before selecting a destination. For example, if you have a baby or toddler, it may be best to stick close to home in case things don't go as planned. If you have teenagers, however, you may enjoy traveling to a different state. Choose what is best for you!
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.
When going camping, try to buy non-perishable items to eat. There are no refrigerators in the wild, so everything you bring has to be kept in good order. You can certainly bring a cooler to put food in, but the cooler will be added bulk on your trip. Therefore, make an effort to bring more non-perishable foods than perishable.
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
Make sure that you bring things to occupy yourself when camping. You can entertain yourself and your family by fishing, playing card games or setting up a scavenger hunt. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Avoid severe weather when going camping, and pay attention to forecasts. It is horrible trying to pitch a tent in the rain, and not much fun sitting in a tent during a rainstorm. It is equally as disturbing approaching a muddy campsite and trying to make a weekend out of it.
When you are heading out for that long awaited camping trip, don't forget to take along your cell phone. You may be tempted to leave all the texting and calls behind, but your cell phone can be one of your most important safety lifelines in the event of an emergency. Make sure it is fully charged and keep it protected from the elements in a plastic bag or waterproof case.
Always watch your kids closely. People may be driving around the campsites, and it's also very easy for kids to get up and get lost when they're not familiar with an area. It takes just a second and something can happen; therefore be certain you always give kids the proper supervision.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
Take some things to entertain yourself while in the wild. Scavenger hunts, card games and fishing poles all add up to wonderful diversions to do in the wild. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Bring waterproof matches as part of your survival kit. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. A film container or pill bottle can serve for storage.
Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. Another good idea is to keep an additional battery available. The cell phone comes in handy in emergency situations, so you will need all the battery power you can get.
You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. Utility knives have many uses in a campers tool kit. It may even be a good idea to bring an extra in case your first one gets lost.
When building a fire at your campground, do not have one so close to your tent. Many fires at campgrounds could have been prevented has campers thought about this simple tip. It is typically recommended that you build your fire at least 15 feet away from your tent and other equipment.
Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. Even if you've been to your campsite before, getting lost one time can still happen since many areas will looks the same. To avoid a potential tragedy, carry a map and compass with you.
When you arrive at an campsite where you have never camped before, explore your surroundings before the sun sets. Located the nearest restrooms and potable water. You also need to find the location of the nearest garbage receptacles. Also look for obstacles, such as raised tree roots that may trip you as you make a night time visit to the nearest restroom.
Camping can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience for those that best porta potty for camping know what they are doing. If you want to have a successful camping trip, a little bit of research and planning are necessary. Keep in mind what you have learned from this article, and you can pitch a tent anywhere you want with a little practice!